Instead of just waiting for the work week to end, use the last few hours and these notes to make the start of next week fantastic!
Most people feel a sense of excitement as Friday approaches, especially if the week has been stressful and hectic.
But often Fridays can feel like a waste of time (especially before holidays).
Your brain, anticipating the upcoming weekend, says: "I've had enough! It's time to rest." And then the day drags on and on...
You get little help from your colleagues, as the Friday afternoon lull is so common.
Everyone is already thinking about the weekend and ready to go home, and as a result, productivity at work drops. But instead of giving in to the impulse to stare out the window and daydream, you can choose to give the next week a terrific start.
There are 7 ways to achieve this:
- Make some interesting contacts.
Give yourself something to look forward to. Spend Friday afternoon sending out new prospectuses, for example.
Plan a lunch for next week and you'll spend the week waiting for a pleasant event. People may be slow to respond to your offers because it's Friday afternoon, but the worst case scenario is that you'll come back on Monday and see positive responses.
- Organize the week.
Go through your calendar and plan your entire next week. Set reminders on your computer or smartphone.
Include all the meetings, deadlines, and to-do lists that need to be done. Create a specific list of tasks with the time allotted for completing them. You will clear your mind of the nagging feeling that you forgot something, and you will have a truly relaxed weekend that will leave you happier on Monday.
- Remove one thing from your desk.
Friday is the time when you most want to look at projects and tasks and say, "Oh, I'll get back to them on Monday."
Choose one of your tasks and promise yourself to complete it before you leave.
The satisfaction of completion may even motivate you to do more today. On Monday, you'll feel relieved that the task is done and not sitting on your desk like a silent reproach.
- Change your daily routine.
Think about a few things in your typical weekly schedule. Make a list of the things that typically distract you—the habits and stressors that keep you from getting to work right away. This could be anything from chatting about the weekend with coworkers over coffee to reading the junk mail in your inbox. Make a list, then write down what you’ll do instead.
Create a new schedule that is more energetic and uplifting to your work. Put it where it will be the first thing you see on Monday morning.
- Work on your future.
If you feel like you can't contribute anything more to the company today, put on some inspirational music and spend some time writing down your thoughts about your current career and life.
Are you moving towards your desired future? Do you know where you want to be in 5 years? Write down some notes and take them with you to reflect on over the weekend.
When you return on Monday, you may have more clarity, which may help you decide how to spend the next week, or realize that it's time to look for new opportunities.
- Surprise yourself.
Hide a small reward for yourself in a drawer in your desk or office. It could be a quality chocolate, a scented candle, or another small indulgence that you enjoy.
Put it in a designated place on Friday and you'll have something nice to look forward to when you get back to work. Better yet, forget about it and suddenly remember the following week and get a nice surprise.
- End the week on a high.
Make a plan to show someone your admiration and appreciation. Catch someone around the office who has been especially helpful this week, done a fantastic job on a project, or been a ray of sunshine for everyone.
Plan a nice gesture for that person, such as a thoughtful thank you note, a small bouquet of flowers, a card, or something else. Give it to them on Monday morning. You'll be excited all weekend thinking about how nicely their week is going to start!
