Laura Vanderkam, productivity expert, shares tips on planning and prioritizing the week, balancing work and personal life, and reducing decision fatigue. Discover the benefits of Friday afternoon planning for a better work-life balance and increased productivity.
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Quick takeaways
Taking a few minutes on Fridays to identify top priorities can lead to a more productive and fulfilling life.
Planning on Fridays helps strike a balance between holistic planning and maintaining certainty, preventing overload on any given day.
Deep dives
Plan Your Week Ahead for Increased Productivity and Fulfillment
Planning your week ahead can lead to a more productive and fulfilling life. Taking just a few minutes on Fridays to identify your top priorities in the categories of career, relationships, and self can help you navigate logistical challenges and ensure there is something you're looking forward to. By setting aside dedicated time for weekly planning, you can turn what might be wasted time into some of your most productive minutes and reduce decision fatigue throughout the week. Planning also brings a sense of satisfaction and enjoyment in daily life, eliminating the need to wait for weekends or vacations.
Why the Week is the Ideal Unit of Time for Planning
The week strikes a balance between allowing holistic planning and maintaining a reasonable level of certainty. With a week-long planning perspective, you can consider the big picture and avoid getting caught up in daily crises. By sitting down and reviewing your upcoming week, you can create a priority list for your career, relationships, and personal growth. You can also address any logistical challenges and ensure your commitments and obligations are well accounted for. This holistic approach prevents stacking too much on any given day and can help you build in dedicated time for work, family, and self-care.
Repurposing Friday Afternoons for Weekly Planning
Friday afternoons, often seen as low opportunity cost time, are ideal for planning the week ahead. As many people wind down and prepare for the weekend, it becomes harder to start new tasks. By repurposing this time for planning, you can make it your most productive minutes of the week. Planning on Fridays not only sets you up for a successful coming week but also allows you to relax and enjoy your weekend with a clear mind and a sense of preparedness. It helps you balance work and personal life, creating a more enjoyable and fulfilling overall experience.
In the final installment of the master class based on her book “Tranquility by Tuesday,” productivity expert Laura Vanderkam says nailing your work-life balance comes down to how you use your Fridays.
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