While writing my doctoral thesis I remember how much I used to look forward to long weekends; at least the ones where I actually took a well-deserved break. There was one thing, however, that I dreaded: The first workday after the long weekend. It was not just because I missed the weekend. For me the toughest part about getting back to work after a long weekend was the lack of continuity. Those of you who were off work yesterday (Martin Luther King Jr.’s birthday), can possibly relate.
On a regular Tuesday, for example, it was easier to settle into work because I had already started something on Monday which I could continue. (It is true that I worked on weekends many times, but usually it was just for a few hours on an experiment, not a full day). The morning after a long holiday, however, seemed like a maze. As the holiday glow gradually faded by mid-morning, I was suddenly bombarded with feelings of guilt that I needed to do something to get back on track. What do I do first? Check email, work on an experiment or start writing? That was when I began to realize that if I wanted to be on top of my game, I had to set my priorities straight before the long weekend.
It is tough, I know, to make work plans before you a long weekend or an extended vacation. If you are able to spend just a few minutes, however, on making a work plan before you leave for vacation (or even just a regular weekend), it could save you hours of confusion the morning the day you get back. As I got closer to completing my doctoral thesis and I had to make the most of every day (I was writing and collecting data simultaneously), it became essential for me to plan my week in advance every Friday. This new habit, which took 15-20 minutes on Friday afternoons, gave me the opportunity to evaluate what I had done during the week (what worked and what did not work) and to use those observations to plan the next week to ensure that I would make even more progress and get closer to a finished thesis.
This week: On Friday afternoon evaluate how your week went. What did you accomplish compared to what you wanted to accomplish? (I know my memory is frequently hazy by Friday afternoons, but give it a try anyway). Then, think about what you would like to accomplish the following week. List three top priorities, such as experimental goals, writing, or completing slides for a presentation. Based on your top priorities, make a preliminary plan for the following week on what actions you will take to complete what you had set out to do. Setting a structure for your week prior the weekend, will help to make Monday mornings (and the rest of your week) more productive and allow time for rest and relaxation.