Pump Up Your Productivity: Create A Sunday Ritual

Another gem from Study Hacks that I totally agree with–before starting your Monday-Friday school week, it’s imperative to take some time on Sunday to organize, schedule, catch up, and prepare your mind for the upcoming week.

A good Sunday ritual consists of the following (from Follow A Sunday Ritual):

1. Immediately after waking up, go grab a big breakfast (realistically, considering that last night you were out partying, this is more likely to be a brunch). Do this on your own, with strong coffee, and a copy of the Sunday Times (or, anything else that is both mentally stimulating and completely unconnected to any schoolwork). Take your time. Spend an hour.
2. Swing by the nearest library. Spend 20-30 minutes to review your calendar and to-do lists. Get a feel for what work you need to get done this week. What deadlines are looming? What personal projects have fallen fallow? If you follow the GTDCS method (or something similar), this is the time to assign specific work to the specific days of the week. Make sure you also set aside around three hours of work to get done today. Preferably select something intellectual but also non-intimidating, such as catching up on reading assignments.
3. Clear your head. This might involve going for a quiet walk. Or, hangover permitting, hitting the gym. Conclude with a snack that will boost energy.
4. Settle into the most deserted possible library on campus. (At this point, it will be in the early to mid-afternoon) Taking quick breaks every 50 minutes, efficiently plow through your three hours of work for the day.
5. Conclude by sketching your Monday schedule. It’s important for your stress levels that you feel like you have a detailed plan for the next day. Now, clear all work thoughts from your brain. Have dinner with your friends. Spend the evening doing whatever it is that you like doing. You’re ready for the new week.

I do find it difficult to start Monday morning trying to think back all the way to Friday. Usually by Monday, any momentum I had on Friday is long gone , so I decided that it would be more effective to do a preliminary clearing out of my brain on Friday afternoon, and then to also do a Sunday Ritual, as Study Hacks suggests.

The result has been an amazing lessening of stress and an increase in productivity. It’s part relaxing day off, part getting back into the swing of a busy school week and it makes the transition from weekend to school week so much easier.

Photo: Comfort Food