There is a lot written about using Friday afternoon as a time to wrap up tasks for the week and plan for the week ahead.
The theory is that this is the time of the week when things are winding down for the weekend, and we aren’t at our best for deep work and meetings.
I’ve been trying versions of this concept for the last several years.
Some things have worked, others have been challenging and just aren’t right for me.
What Worked
Review the week – Looking back over my planner and notes from the week helps me get my head around the bigger tasks for the week ahead while the week is fresh in my mind.
Finish Tasks – I like to work on to-do’s that were started, but not finished, and get them checked off.
What Didn’t Work
e-Mail – I like to respond to email on weekend mornings – scheduling them to go out on Monday.
Calls – If there are non-urgent calls to be made, I don’t want to make them on Friday afternoon.
Final Planning – While I have a summary of plans for the week ahead from Friday, my final planning still seems best completed on Sunday morning after I’ve been through all the email.
My Perspective
There is no perfect “system” for planning that works well for all of us.
Experimenting with different ideas and structures will help you land on one that is right for you.
The structure may also evolve for different phases of your life and different roles you hold.
Continuing to try new techniques throughout your career will ensure your process is the best for you.
Your Turn
Do you have a weekly planning process?
When do you plan?
Do you handle small to-do items during your planning time or are these handled another time?