I used to think planning my week meant writing down a long list of things I “should” do and then feeling bad by Thursday because I had done maybe three of them. I’d try to cram everything in—cleaning, work goals, reading, habits, even rest time—and still feel like I was failing.
At some point, I realized the problem wasn’t with me. It was with the system. Or actually… the lack of one.
I don’t use fancy apps or colorful stickers. Just one notebook page. That’s it. Every Sunday evening, I sit with a cup of tea and ask myself 3 simple questions:
1. What do I actually need this week?
Not just tasks. I mean energy-wise. Do I need more quiet time? Do I need to catch up on something that’s been bugging me? Do I need to stop saying yes to everything? This shapes everything that follows.
2. What are the non-negotiables?
Appointments, deadlines, things I promised others. I list them first. Then I build around them. Not the other way around.
3. What are my top 3 goals?
Only three. Not thirty. These are things that move me forward or give me peace. Sometimes it’s work stuff. Other times it’s “take mom to lunch.” That counts too.
Then I block out my week. I don’t plan every hour, just rough chunks:
- Mornings for focused stuff
- Afternoons for calls or admin
- Evenings for recharge
It’s more like sketching than scheduling. And it works because it’s real. Flexible. Forgiving.
What Changed for Me
Since doing this, I don’t feel behind all the time. I feel in the week, not dragged by it. I still have messy days. But I bounce back faster because I know where I am in the bigger picture.
It’s not about being super productive. It’s about feeling like I’m living on purpose.
