10 Simple Tips to Upgrade Your Week

We all want to accomplish as much as possible, feel good about ourselves, and finally do the things we keep postponing—all in a busy week. How do we do it? Sometimes, the small decisions and subtle changes are what lead to significant results. Following are some tips to help us make our week much more productive.

1. Wake up with a clear mind. Messy environments affect our mental state more than we think. It's recommended to tidy up the home before going to bed so that we wake up to an organized space that provides peace of mind. The is true for our workspace, which should be free of irrelevant items. Each evening, jot down your tasks for the next day to ensure a well planned schedule.

2. Gain 30 minutes in the morning. The way we start our day often affects how it will unfold. Aim to start your morning half an hour earlier than usual- before the chaos begins. Use it to read a book that will empower you—whether it's on personal growth, Torah study, or any topic that brings you joy and contributes to your well-being.

3. 10 minutes for body and soul. Amidst countless obligations, we often neglect ourselves. It's advisable to dedicate 10 minutes daily to a brisk walk for physical health, ideally with a spouse or friend for the social-emotional benefits.

4. The weekly task. Sometimes, there are small and big things we'd like to do, but due to lack of time or procrastination, it never happens. To assist ourselves in achieving what we genuinely want, take a notebook and make a long list of things you'd like to do in any area: spiritual work, relationships with children or spouse, character improvement, self-care, organizing the house, and more. The list can include both time-consuming tasks and one-time actions such as buying a gift just to make someone feel good, having quality time with one of the children, organizing the storage room, reading a book, sorting clothes to donate, visiting an elderly family member, attending an inspirational class, and more.

Rewrite the list prioritizing the most important tasks. At the beginning of each week, open your planner or calendar and schedule your weekly task. Proceed week by week until you complete the current task and can move on to the next. Over time, maintaining the weekly task hour will show you the amazing things you accomplished, filling you with incredible satisfaction.

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5. Weekly date. For those of us who are married, it's important to invest in our relationship. A healthy relationship requires effort. Ensure you have time just for you two, at least one evening a week. It could be to go out for coffee, a walk in the neighborhood (without the kids), a small park stroll, or a date at home with a lovely dinner and studying together about peace in the home.

6. Learn on the go. During commutes to and from work, listen to inspiring Torah lectures. If your one-way commute takes half an hour, you'll gain 5 hours of Torah study during a five-day workweek and 20 hours in a month, all "on the go".

7. Say "goodbye" to the cell phone. Okay, we’re not talking about permanently parting from your phone. Relax. Set specific times during the day or week when the phone will be off. These moments ensure you're 100% present in what you're doing at that time. It could be during an hour with your kids, Torah study, a conversation with your spouse, or any other significant time when phones can wait.

8. One hour a week just for us. Choose a fixed hour during the week dedicated to yourself, where you do what truly matters to you and makes you happy. It could be a personal development course, a weekly Torah class, swimming, or any hobby that benefits your soul (an art course, cooking, photography, etc.).

9. Reflect before "good night". Every evening before going to bed, conduct a brief personal reflection. Examine what you did well during the day and what was lacking, identify how things could have been done better, where more improvement is needed, and where more attention is required. As the saying goes, "We learn from mistakes," helping us gradually do better in what truly matters.

10. Journal management. Good productivity requires planning. Manage a weekly calendar where you schedule all the tasks and plans you need to execute: personal tasks, work, study, errands, and everything else that occupies your time throughout the day.