Seven Sunday Habits to Set Yourself Up For Success

By Jillian Broaddus and Chuck Cusumano

Welcome to June!  As we open the door to a new week, new month, and new season, we can’t help but think of the opportunities to implement change and set ourselves up for success. 

As we think ahead, let’s first look behind: How did you spend June 1st?

It was a Sunday.  Maybe you rested!  After all, God rested on the seventh day (Genesis 2:2-3).

Maybe you tackled your to-do list.  And no matter how much you accomplished, if you’re like us, you might’ve still experienced the feeling that hits around 5pm: that subtle, creeping dread that the weekend is ending and Monday is coming fast. For June 1st, it was an especially big Sunday – the first one before a full work week, after a previous, shorter holiday week!

This sensation even has a name: the Sunday Scaries. It’s a mental mix of unfinished chores, overflowing to-do lists, and anxiety about all you need to focus on for the week ahead.

But what if Sunday didn’t have to be so scary? What if it became the most powerful day of the entire week?  Because even if it is a day of “rest,” that doesn’t need to equate to laziness – it can be purposeful, intentional, and important!

If you need to maximize the rest of your Sundays this year (there are 31 remaining!), here are our 7 habits to set your weeks up for wins:

1. Rest! – Ok, we’ll start with the obvious.  Sunday is the most important day to make sure you do the routine that will enhance your energy for the workweek.  Get to bed at a decent hour.  Rest your muscles if you’ve had a strenuous weekend.  Hydrate!  What does your body need to perform at its best this week, mentally and physically?

2. Meal Prep – Sunday can be a “make or break” day for your health for the week. When the hustle and bustle of Monday takes over, it can be difficult to find time to prioritize healthy meals, which often leads us to turn to quick, processed, “fast” foods.  Set aside time on Sunday to make your week easier (and healthier).

3. Reflect – What went well in the past week?  What didn’t go so well?  What can you do in the upcoming week to make sure things swing your way?

4. Express Gratitude – As you reflect on the previous week, make sure you center in on what you’re grateful for.  We’ve written a few blogs on the power of gratitude, but here’s a quick summary: it can affect your energy more than any other emotion!

5. Tidy Up – Don’t start your workweek with mess.  A clean space brings mental clarity.  Start Monday grounded by spending time making sure your space – whether it be your bedroom, workspace, kitchen… whatever is beckoning the need! – is decluttered.

6. Goal Set – This doesn’t have to be massive.  It can be as simple as ONE thing you want to focus your intentions on this week.  Priorities can get muddled when we focus on too many things, so keep it simple and start small.  What is one thing you hope to accomplish by the time next Sunday rolls around?

7. Review Your Calendar – Finally, what is your schedule this week?  Nothing is worse than waking up on a Monday morning, only to find you need to rush into the office for a 9am meeting you forgot about.  Make sure you know what’s ahead of you, and prepare as needed!

That’s all!  We hope we can help transform your Sunday Scaries into Sunday Successes.  Let us know how we can help at hello@thejoshuagroup.net.