Why Friday is a great time to reflect, and a few questions to get you started…

I have always loved the energy of Fridays. Some weeks it feels like the end of a trail walk, that downhill flat stage where you’ve faced a challenge and come out the other side, and you’re about to head off into what’s next with a sense of accomplishment. 

Some weeks it is more depleted energy, depending on what I’ve been up to. Looking forward to the weekend where I hope for more unscheduled time, the chance to be away from my screen and not be on such a rigid schedule. 

These days my Fridays are quite full as many of my clients like to reflect at the end of the week, and many organisations seem to have attempted to have Fridays be a lighter meeting day.

Because Friday is often a transition day (not for everyone, I realise - of course if you’re in retail or hospitality or a religious leader, I’d imagine Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays feel different!), it is a great day to reflect. 

Keep it simple, let your mind wander back, and see what comes to mind as you review the past few days.

• What are you pleased or proud about?

• What do you want to celebrate?

• What challenges did you overcome? How did you do that?

• What did you want to do but didn’t? What got in the way?

• When were you most energised in the week? What does that tell you?

You could make this even shorter, even simpler if you want. I learned these two acronyms as my son shared feedback on an essay he’d done:

WWW - What Went Well…

EBI - Even Better If…

Be kind to yourself as you transition to the weekend. Another pace, a different vibe. 

For some people, the weekend will represent rest, unplugging, unwinding; for others it might be dull, stressful, or lonely. 

I often share this article about 7 Types of Rest which I find helpful: not all rest is the same and depending on what’s going on for you, your wiring, and the ways you decompress, one type may be more restful than another. 

So as you ponder, throw in an extra one: what do I want for myself for the weekend? And how could I get that in, even if only a tiny bit?