When Does the Week Start? Sunday or Monday? Let’s Settle This Once and for All…
When it comes to weekly planning, one of the most debated questions is: Does the week start on Sunday or Monday? Some calendars say Sunday, while others argue Monday is the true start of the week. What’s your take? We're curious. Let us know in the comments!
For the purpose of this post, we’re going with Sunday - because Sunday offers the perfect blend of rest, reflection, and reset.
Why Weekly Planning Matters
Whether your schedule is packed with meetings, parenting duties, creative projects or business, weekly planning is one of the most powerful tools for staying grounded and aligned.
Here’s why it works:
♦️It improves productivity: According to a study done by Forbes, people who note down their goals and plans are 1.2 times more likely to successfully accomplish their goals than people who don’t.
♦️It reduces stress: Knowing what lies ahead reduces the mental clutter that comes with trying to keep everything in your head.
♦️It boosts time management: By having a bird’s-eye view of your week, you can better allocate time to what matters most and avoid the last-minute rush.
♦️It supports goal setting: Weekly planning allows you to align your actions with your bigger-picture goals - both personal and professional.
My Sunday Planning Ritual
For me, Sunday is the calm before the storm. My work week officially begins on Monday, but Sunday is where the magic happens - reset, organization, and intentional preparation. Here's how I approach it:
▶️ Organize Your Space & Mind
Sunday evenings are sacred. I reset my environment by tidying up, doing any essential house shopping, and prepping for the week ahead. I also meal prep (shoutout to @mealsbyliz who’s held me down for months now!) so my weekdays are a little less chaotic.
▶️ Reflect on the Week That Was
Before diving into a new week, I take a moment to reflect on the one that’s just ended:
♦️What were the wins - big or small?
♦️Where did I feel stuck or overwhelmed?
♦️Were there any glimmers - those small, fleeting moments of joy?
♦️What lessons can I take into the new week?
This simple practice gives me insight, clarity, and compassion for myself as I reset.
P.S. The Note it Down weekly planner has lots of weekly reflection prompts. Check it out 😉
▶️ Plan for the Week Ahead
With the past week behind me, I grab my weekly planner and map out the one ahead. I begin with an overview of must-do tasks - these could range from finalizing a pitch deck to remembering to send a birthday message to a friend.
Some tasks already have designated days, so I slot those in early. This makes room for anything new that might pop up as the week unfolds. Having a structured, but flexible plan helps reduce overwhelm and keeps me focused.
🪄My Best Planning Tip: Schedule Catch-Up Time
One strategy that’s worked wonders for me is blocking out time in the week to catch up on overdue tasks. I usually do this on Thursday - just far enough into the week to see what’s fallen behind, and close enough to the weekend to still finish strong. Give it a try and thank me later!
👥Delegate Where You Can
One of the most powerful lessons I’ve learned is 'you don’t have to do it all'. For me, delegation is a strategy for sustainability. It starts with outsourcing meal prep and housekeeping. For you, it might be childcare, admin tasks, or even hiring help in your business.
A great tool to help with this is the Eisenhower Matrix, which categorizes tasks into:
Combine that with the 80/20 rule (80% of your results come from 20% of your efforts) and you’ll find yourself focusing on what really moves the needle.
Final Thoughts
Weekly planning isn’t about controlling every moment of your life. It’s about creating intention, building consistency, and giving yourself the clarity to make decisions aligned with your goals and values. It’s your north star in the midst of a sometimes chaotic week.
So how do you plan your week?
Do you start on Sunday or Monday?
Any tools, tips or tricks you swear by?
We’d love to hear them in the comments.
Here’s to a week filled with purpose, progress, and peace – because your life deserves to be lived intentionally.
Happy Planning!
Hugs,
XX