I used to hate Sunday night. I could feel the stress start to build as I thought about the week ahead.

Countless emails, innumerable voice mail messages, the anticipation of unexpected interruptions, and always, new requests and changing deadlines. These demands would culminate in a growing anxiety, a feeling of being overworked and overwhelmed.

And I know I was not alone in this feeling. For most small business owners, too much information, easy access, and not enough time created a recipe for frustration, dissatisfaction, and, potentially, illness.
But I don’t hate Sunday nights anymore? Why, because I built a planning window into my Friday afternoons. I don’t schedule appointments after 1:00, and most of my staff leaves early (which they enjoy) so I have time at the end of the week to organize, review, and plan.

I don’t get to all of these items every Friday, but over the course of a month, everything gets done once or twice on my Friday afternoon planning session.

Organize
Sort and file all loose documents including business cards, receipts, and notes. Process your general notes, journal entrees, and meeting notes by turning them into appropriate action items or projects. I used to dismiss the value of a clean desk, (mine so rarely is). But I have found if I take the time to go through all my stacks, tag and file things on Friday, it is so nice to walk into my office on Monday morning and I can get right to work.

Friday afternoon is a great time to balance your budget and process invoices for payment.

Review
Skim previous daily calendar pages for remaining action items. Take a few minutes to think about why it didn’t get done. Is it worth doing? If so, move it to the beginning of the next. If not, delete it from your to do list.
Evaluate the status of projects, goals, and outcome. Note action tasks which are pending responses from others for information or results. Take a few minutes to send notes, requests for follow-up and update others on your project status.
Friday afternoon is also a great time to review outstanding quotes, and send follow up notes or make quick calls to prospects. Nothing closes a week out better then closing a sale.

Plan
Transfer new, active projects and consider the associated responsibilities to address. Prioritize and estimate time commitments for the following week and month.
Identify the resources required to complete your action items and schedule time to meet with key individuals. As your business grows you may need to seek external support to meet your deadlines.

The Result?
You will sleep better on Sunday night, knowing you are ready to hit the ground running on Monday!