Structure is the nemesis to ‘flow’, I know, it’s all a crazy paradox and contradiction out here. Really, it’s a dance and a balance.
I’m a very naturally creative ‘go with the flow’ and follow my intuition kind of person and the truth is, without giving mysyelf some structure and routine - things don’t get finished. My excietement and fluid tendancy behold some gorgeous moments. But also, I become really easily scatty and distracted (as my school teachers used to repeat like it was a bad thing).
Kick off the week with Vision and intention.
Here’s my first foundation stone. I choose what my priority is this week, that will move me forward in my life, then I schedule my week to make that happen.
Starting the week with a structured plan and clear goals is more than just a productivity boost; it's a catalyst for success.
Monday holds immense potential for shaping the rest of your week. So I tend to engage in activities that inspire and uplift me and encourage me to look forward. Engaging in planning and goal-setting on this day ensures that my tasks and objectives are front and center, ready to be tackled. This proactive approach also really simplifies decision-making throughout the week.
I do love to maximise time efficiency, as much as I love to take Time Out, and this balance makes me feel highly effective in my endeavors.
By aligning your actions with your values and priorities from the onset, you're setting yourself up for a week of progress, achievement, and clarity.
Reflection & Contemplation
This doesn’t mean loops of overthinking my failures.
In fact, I celebrate my failures because through a little contemplation, I make space to see the lesson. Then I now what to tweak and move forward.
So before setting any new goals, I review the past week.
Understand your achievements and what's pending. This process will teach you how to improve continuously and consistently. Getting all the pending stuff out onto a journal page at the beginning of the week declutters the brain.
Be Specific
Ambiguity is the enemy of progress. I know this because I revelled in this space for a long time before I realised I wasn’t actually making the impact in the world I wanted to, because I didn’t really know what I truly wanted.
Set crystal clear goals, get into the Vision of it, feel it, specify the desired outcome (a challenge to not get too attached to the outcome and enjoy the journey - but - still know what you desire, it’s your kindling) and - put a deadline on it.
Include Personal Goals - balance is key. Schedule self-care and personal growth activities to keep the serotonin and endorphines flowing and ensure holistic success.
Trust yourself to know you are going to allow the circumstances into your life that will make things happen. You are resourceful and capable.
Find your Focus and Prioritise
Some tasks hold more weight.
Determine and label them based on their high, medium, or low urgency. What can you do quickly, what do you want to do, and what don’t you want to do (eat the frog). Break Down Large Tasks: Dissect bigger projects into micro tasks and put those tasks straight into the schedule for the coming week (not on an endless to do list). This roadmap will guide you step-by-step without overwhelming you.
Limit Yourself.
Yes, I know - another glaring paradox. But we are very good at limiting ourselves, so let’s put that habit to good use, and use it to ease the struggle of stress. While ambition drives us, too many goals can dilute focus—zero in on three maximimum that matter the most.
Allocate Time Blocks.
Time blocking can be a game changer. Use dedicated chunks of time for each task. Protect this time as non negotiable to ensure your priorities get the attention they deserve.
Create a Sacred Session.
Remove all distractions, including the phone, close out all apps and tabs you don’t need for this one thing. Put on some focus music, set a pomodoro timer, and begin. There will be resistance but You’ve got this.
Stay Flexible.
Life's unpredictability means adjustments are necessary. Leave some wiggle room in your plans.
Scheduling ‘buffer blocks’ for nothing in particular can really help when general life admin and unexpected stuff come up. You can use this time to catch up with yourself - or, for nothing in particular and see what flows. These are usually highly productive times, as the nervous system is so chill it can tune in with your higher self and call forth all sorts of golden wisdoms.
Hold Yourself Accountable.
Accountability is not judgement, it’s owning it. Share your goals with someone. External accountability with someone you respect and admire can often be the push we need.
Review and Adjust.
End each day with reflection. I repeat - reflection, not a mental loop. ‘Failure’ is opportunity to adjust and move forward. Realign tasks based on progress and unforeseen challenges, and be super gentle and kind with yourself.
Celebrate Small Wins.
We really don’t celebrate ourselves enough, often rushing onto the next thing. Every achievement, regardless of size, is a step forward. Recognise, honour and reward yourself for these moments. Take a break, have a little dance, you are smashing it.
Connect and Reconnect.
Keep those bridges intact and nurture the good relationships - you know the ones that nourish you.
Checking in can rejuvenate relationships and open doors to new opportunities. Look and listen for new connections and ways to collaborate and co-create. It's not about the number but the quality of connections. Dedicate time to engage genuinely, be it online or offline. More than just posting or showing up, join conversations and contribute meaningfully.Social media is not just for promotion.
These are spaces to build and nurture relationships, and find the kind of people who inspire you and raise your aspirations.
I do suggest a time limit and pomodoro technique again for the web that is social media though, its just too easy to get caught up with dancing dogs and delicious dinners.
So setting the tone on Monday by being proactive and intentional will significantly impact how the rest of the week unfolds and in fact your overall wellness. When we place equal emphasis on task completion, relationship building, and personal well-being and self development, we foster a balanced and productive environment that promotes true holistic growth and expanded consciousness.
We re-program our minds to look forard, and find our focus.
Self-care and maintaining a positive mindset cannot be overstated.
Self care is not a reward, it’s non negotiable - you can only serve from a full cup.
While tasks and objectives are crucial, it's the mental and emotional well-being that fuels our ability to achieve them. By prioritising self-care and ensuring that our mindset is in the right place, we set the foundation for a productive week and a successful and fulfilling life.
I smashed the doom and gloom of Monday mornings because I had to - much of my weekend was spent dreading Monday. But now Mondays offer a fresh start, a new opportunity to set our intentions and direction for the week.
By integrating tasks, relationships, self-care, and a positive mindset into our weekly planning and intention, and celebrating our wins at the end of the week, we totally maximise our potential for success.
I work 1:1 with entrepreneurs & professionals to gain clarity and accountability on all of this and more. DM me for a free coffee chat.
Download 'Rooted in Wellness' for nourishing self care tools to add to your Wellness kit 👉 clarebelmont.net
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