Sunday Reset Routine: 7 Things I Do Every Week for a More Productive Week
Do you suffer from the "Sunday Scaries"?
I know the feeling. Sunday rolls around and instead of relaxing, you start spiraling about everything that didn't get done last week... and everything that needs to happen THIS week.
Here's the deal… a simple Sunday reset routine can change all of that.
I've been doing some version of this for years – first when I was teaching full-time and trying to build a business on the side, and now as a full-time entrepreneur. When I skip it? Even working for myself, the Sunday Scaries show up HARD because I just don't feel prepared.
But when I do it? Monday feels completely different.
No matter where you are in your business – just starting out, still working a 9-5, or already full-time – here are the 7 things I do every single Sunday to set myself up for the most productive week possible, in both business AND life.
What Is a Sunday Reset Routine?
A Sunday reset routine is basically a weekly wrap-up + preview session. You're closing out the previous week AND setting yourself up for the one ahead – all in one sitting.
It doesn't have to take all day. An hour or two on Sunday (or even on Friday, like I do) is enough to make Monday feel less like a scramble and more like a plan.
Here's what mine looks like:
ONE || Review + Write Out Your Schedule
Of course, I'm going to start here because I honestly feel like it's the most important thing you can do. As the saying goes, when you fail to plan, you plan to fail.
Now, I don't necessarily think you're going to completely bomb the week if you don't do this, but what I've found through years of spending time each week reviewing + planning out the week ahead, I can better prioritize the things that need to get done – and find time for fun + rest too.
I use both Google Calendar and my SYS Planner together. My Google Calendar is for time blocking + future planning, and my paper planner is where I keep my schedule, tasks, and notes all in one place for easy reference.
No matter which tool you use, just make sure you're actually LOOKING at your week before it starts. It's the difference between feeling on top of it vs. constantly reacting.
TWO || Brain Dump + Organize Your Tasks
After I've reviewed my week, I write down EVERYTHING I need to get done – for the week ahead AND any future projects I can chip away at if I have extra time.
I get overwhelmed easily, so getting it all out of my head and onto paper helps me figure out WHEN I'm going to do each thing. Sure, stuff takes longer or shorter than expected... but that's exactly why I build in buffer time so I'm not scrambling at the last minute.
Once it's all on paper, I can figure out what's urgent AND important and plan accordingly. This is what separates a productive week from a busy-but-unproductive one.
THREE || Review Your Goals
Ok, honestly? This is still something I'm working on. I'm great at SETTING goals and terrible at remembering to actually check in on them. Whoops.
But my business coach has been keeping me accountable, and it's made a HUGE difference.
So, add a few minutes to your weekly reset routine to actually review your goals. Write down 1-3 actions on your task list that will move you closer to them this week. Then the NEXT week, you can see if you actually did them.
Accountability with yourself is everything when it comes to reaching your goals.
FOUR || Meal Plan + Prep
Almost every client I work with asks for meal planning time in their schedule. And honestly? A nutrition coach will tell you this can make or break your health goals.
Now, I am NOT a full-on meal prepper. No Tupperware rows or batch-cooked Sunday containers for me. I eat the same thing for breakfast and lunch most days (smoothie + salad), so I don't need to prep those.
BUT I do plan our dinners for the week ahead, because there is nothing worse than 5PM hitting and having zero idea what's for dinner. (You know what happens then. Cereal. Maybe.)
Take a few minutes to plan your meals before you grocery shop. You'll save money, make better choices, and skip the 3 extra mid-week trips to the store.
FIVE || Review Your Budget
Not gonna lie… this is my least favorite part of the weekly reset routine. I love spreadsheets, but money stuff? Blech.
BUT reviewing our budget each week has been really eye-opening. I can catch when I'm overspending before it becomes a bigger problem. And it makes saving money so much easier when you're actually paying attention.
SIX || Empty Out Your Inbox
This might be specific to me, but nothing messes with my focus like an inbox full of unread emails. It feels like a to-do list I can't stop thinking about.
Before I shut down on Friday, I go through my inbox and either take action, snooze things for next week, or move them to a folder. Then on Monday morning (and every morning), I scan quickly, uncheck anything I actually need, and delete the rest.
Inbox zero-ish is the goal. It's not always perfect... but even getting close feels SO much better.
SEVEN || Declutter + Clean Up Your Workspace
I actually do this on Fridays at the end of my workday – but let's be honest, my desk is always more cluttered by Sunday night anyway.
Starting the week with a clean workspace makes such a difference. Nothing derails the first 20 minutes of your Monday like searching for a sticky note or digging through a pile.
I also do a digital cleanup – clear my downloads, empty the trash, shut down my computer completely. It's my mental signal to actually STOP working and rest.
(I use CleanMyMac for the digital version – not an affiliate, it does have a fee, but I've had my Mac for 10 years and it's been completely worth it.)
This isn't an exhaustive list of everything you COULD do on a Sunday... but it's what I actually do. Every single week. And it makes a real difference.
If you want a simple, repeatable way to work through this without having to remember all 7 steps on your own... I've got you.
My free CEO Weekly Reset walks you through exactly how to wrap up your week AND set yourself up for the next one – in under an hour. It's the same process I use every week, and it takes all the guesswork out of "wait, what am I even supposed to be doing right now?"
