Using Sunday as a Weekly Soft Start

I have recently experimented with the idea of mentally starting my week on Sunday instead of Monday. I am all about for eliminating stress and anxiety whenever possible, and one of the things I used to struggle with in the past was the harsh divide between the week and weekend. As the lines continue to become more blurred between being at home and working, the line between Sunday night and Monday morning has become even more stark, at least in my opinion. 

My weekend became a sacred place of not doing things remotely related to work, but then I found myself dreading Monday even more. I knew my alarm clock sounding at 5am on a Monday marked the start of nonstop activity until Friday night, which is a daunting approach to beginning anything. I know stress this is a signal from my body to reframe my approach to a situation, and thus came the idea/overlooked opportunity to use Sunday as a soft start to my week. 

What do I mean by Soft Start?

Ease your transition by using Sunday to prepare for your week without becoming completely engulfed in it. It's still your weekend, so I'm not suggesting actually completing everything on Sunday, but simply identifying what need to be accomplished in the upcoming week can go leave you feeling less all over the place later. 

Here are some suggestions I have for optimizing your Sunday without going overboard:

Make a List

Getting everything out of your brain and onto paper is a great way to feel better without taking any actual action. Write down errands, people you need to reach out to in the upcoming week, action items, obligations.. If you need help making a list, make sure to check out last week's article. This all allows you to strategize and plan your week from the comfort of your weekend.

Set Goals

I think realistically about how many times I want to work out before I start my week. This way, I don't beat myself up for how many times I do or don't go to the gym. When I mentally commit to three days, I enjoy my rest days instead end up feeling guilty about them. Set the same goals for any area of your life where you feel guilty for not doing enough. 

Do a Visualization Meditation

You can do this exercise with your eyes open or closed, but the trick is to clearly envision your ideal outcome for the upcoming week. Since I am in sales, I like to imagine all the new opportunities I am going to generate, all the successful meetings and all of the meaningful conversations I am going to have. I then think about the implications of these successful actions. More activity = more sales = more money = reaching my financial goals faster. Always remember your why, and it will be easier to obtain any outcome. 

Let me know how you use your Sunday!

xoxo,

Allison