It’s Wrap-up Time! (OK, maybe not right this minute if you’re reading this at lunch time… are you?) But, today, like each day, will come to a end, and there will be a moment to wrap up your work and shift gears toward dinner and home.
The end of the work day ritual has often been a challenge for me (largely since I work at home.) After all, there is no end of day commute or kids to race to pick up both of which provide that structure to the end of the work day for many of you.
However, whether your structure is self-imposed or dictated by a school pick-up, creating your “end of work ritual” can actually become a gift you give yourself of peace and preparedness for the day to come.
Let’s talk about what might go into your work-day ending ritual…
What happens at the end of the day
As most of my clients would say… “Every day is different.” Sometime you race into the end of the day with that meeting that ends right before you need to head out for home. Other days you almost limp toward the finish line, tired, and so ready to be “done.” You almost tick time away by checking email or Facebook just to not leave before your boss or scheduled quitting time.
These different days are understandable, and they reflect what a difference our scheduling can make to our energy management. So, let me start by making a suggestion: Block off your wrap up time. I remember recommending this to an executive client of mine several years ago when she was feeling like her calendar had her in hyper-mode all day. Within two weeks of instituting this one change, she told me how much more in control and calm she felt at the end of the day.
I would recommend 30 minutes (at least 15 min is essential.) For many this is the biggest first step, just protecting the time from getting swallowed by meetings. Are there occasional exceptions? Sure, just make sure that the exceptions don’t become the rule.
What happens during Daily Wrap-up?
This is not email time… let me say that again, this is not email time. Those 30 minutes will disappear in a flash if you fall into your inbox and then have to climb out again. We don’t want the end of your day to be driven by other people’s agendas any more than we want the beginning to be. So, here’s what you can do instead.
1) Review your Master Task List and bring it up to date. Any new tasks that got discussed in today’s meetings and didn’t get captured? Any thoughts that have been rattling around in your head and need to be unravelled into the appropriate next actions? First, capture any tasks or projects that will need your upcoming attention. (Only review your email to help bring this list up to date, if necessary.)
2) Review your calendar for tomorrow (and the next couple days). Get a sense of your day tomorrow. How many meetings & how much “free time” will you have? Are there any materials that you’ll need to bring home with you? Are there any preparations that you’ll need to make before that meeting tomorrow afternoon or later in the week?
3) Choose Your Inspired Action & 3 Bonuses for Tomorrow. What’s the One Thing that you’re going to commit to getting done tomorrow? Make your Today To-Do List with its four items: One commitment and three bonuses. Having this planning done will allow you to start the next day with a bang.
4) Let today go. Take a deep breath, and put down your work for the day. Shift out of work mode with intention rather than leaving it streaming behind you or finding yourself mentally stuck at work even when your body has moved on.
When is the “End of day”?
I’ve found it interesting to see how differently many of my clients have handled their “end of day” routine. The obvious choice would be to block off the last 30 minutes of your day before leaving work behind.
However, one of my recent clients has shifted his wrap up a bit earlier. He starts it at 4pm even though he’s rarely leaving before 5:30pm. Why? In his experience, it tends to not get missed or lost in the shuffle as often, and gives him a little bit of structured time to finish and wrap everything up with his head refocused and screwed on straight regarding his priorities.
A very interesting alternative (that you might not have considered) :).
Next Actions
If you haven’t yet created your master list, then you’ll want to get that started asap. But, the most important thing about your end of day ritual is to close up shop while setting yourself up for success the next day. So, is there anything else that’s crucial for your “End of day” ritual? I’d love to hear your ideas in the comments below.
