Do you ever find yourself exhausted and drained at the end of the week but thinking, what did I even do this week? You were busy but what did you even do? It feels like nothing got done.

Been there. Felt that way.

When I take the time to set simple priorities, I end the week feeling productive and accomplished. When I skip this weekly ritual, I end the week feeling like you, exhausted and drained. Sounds like a much better feeling, doesn’t it? Let’s dig right in to how you too can set yourself up for a week of getting more done!

First, what is a simple priority?

Let’s break down the two words in simple priorities. Simple and priority.

Step one is picking your priority. A priority is the most important thing that needs to happen. It’s responsibility number one. To figure out what your priority should be, answer one of these questions;

• What do I absolutely have to get done today?
• Is there anything that has an expiration date, due date, or deadline this week?
• When I lay my head on my pillow at the end of the day, what is going to make me feel good about the day?
• I want to feel {insert emotion} and doing {insert task} will help me feel that way.

Your answer can be anything! This is your priority. There is no right or wrong priority. Let’s be honest, your simple priority could be take a shower.  When the only thing in your fridge is ketchup and salad dressing, your simple priority is go grocery shopping. You also could have a simple priority that moves the needle on a project you’re working on.

When you’re thinking about what your simple priority is, the key is to keep it simple. Simple means it is one clear, easy to follow action.

Let me give you an example.

School is starting and you look at the kid’s closet. It’s a disaster of clothes that don’t fit and some they refuse to wear. The priority this week is to get the kids clothes ready for the school year. But what does that even mean? That is not a simple priority. That’s a goal. We need to break it down.

There are two key attributes to a simple priority. It is a task that only requires one action. There is no and in a simple priority. And the action is specific. Anyone who reads it knows exactly what it means. There is no room for interpretation.

Instead of saying, get the kids clothes ready for the school year, the simple priority is bag up clothes that don’t fit anymore. Or it could be go to Old Navy for new basic items. In both of these examples it’s one specific action. Each action adds up to achieving that goal of getting the kids clothes ready for the school year.

Now you know what a simple priority is, how do you use it to have a more productive week?

Set aside about 15 minutes at the beginning of the week. I typically do this on Sunday, but you can do it whatever day works for your schedule. Take a look at your calendar, day by day, to get an overview of what you have scheduled. Take note of how much time you have to do anything else besides those appointments and firm commitments. For each day, define one simple priority. Realistically, every single day won’t have room for a simple priority. Some days are just too dang busy. And that’s okay. Strive to have at least five simple priorities a week.

Write down your simple priorities.

Write it in your planner, put it as a task on your digital calendar, make a to do list. Even better, make your simple priorities the background on your phone! I made a template you can fill out every week and then save as your phone background.  You can download it here. If you need accountability or want other people supporting you, share the template on your Instagram stories.  Tag AbbyLee_Coaching so I can cheer you on!

Whichever method works best for you, just write it down. The visual reminder will help hold you accountable. At the end of the week, when you’re all done, you will also have the visual confirmation that you were productive. Look at everything you did this week!

Now you are ready to set your simple priorities for the week. You are ready to take your busy week and make it a productive week.