The 1 Routine That Actually Keeps Me Sane
Keep reading this post to learn:
What a Weekly Prep Meeting is and how it sets you up for a productive week
My simple framework for planning your week around your goals, well-being, and relationships
The exact tools I use to make this process seamless and effective
Let’s be real—life can feel like one big hamster wheel sometimes. You know the feeling: there’s never enough time in the day, your to-do list seems endless, and no matter how much you accomplish, you still feel behind. Been there, done that! That’s why I want to share the one routine that has truly kept me sane and helped me take control of my weeks: my Weekly Prep Meeting.
Sure, I love Hustle Sanely 5 (obviously, I created it!), but while HS5 holds me accountable for prioritizing my well-being, my Weekly Prep Meeting is what keeps me organized and grounded. It’s the tool that keeps me from just surviving and helps me actually thrive.
Ready to learn how you can create your own Weekly Prep Meeting? Let’s dive in!
What Is a Weekly Prep Meeting?
A Weekly Prep Meeting is exactly what it sounds like: a dedicated time each week to plan and prep for the days ahead. It helps you create a clear action plan for where to spend your time and energy so that you’re running your week, not the other way around.
Here’s the truth: life will almost never go 100% according to plan. But when you’ve done the work ahead of time, it’s so much easier to pivot with confidence instead of reacting to the chaos around you.
When Should You Do a Weekly Prep Meeting?
The beauty of this routine is that it’s completely customizable. Most people think you have to do it on a Sunday or Monday, but here’s your permission slip to pick a day that works best for your schedule.
I do my Weekly Prep Meeting on Thursdays as my first work task. This way, I head into the weekend without stressing about the week ahead. I recommend doing it on the same day each week, so it becomes a routine, but give yourself flexibility when needed!
How to Do a Weekly Prep Meeting:
I follow a simple framework to make this process effective and stress-free. Follow the next few steps to learn how it works!
01: Work Through Reflection & Prep Questions
Taking time to reflect and plan helps you start the week with clarity and intention.
Here’s how to dig deeper into this step:
Reflection Questions:
How do I feel? Am I energized, stressed, or overwhelmed? This will guide how you approach the week ahead.
Did I prioritize rest? Look back at your week and ask if you intentionally carved out time for yourself to recharge. If not, how can you adjust this week?
Did I complete last week’s Top 3 tasks? If yes, celebrate your wins! If not, identify what held you back and plan how to tackle them.
Did I stick to my non-negotiables and habits? Evaluate whether you showed up for what matters most, and if not, determine what might need to shift.
Prep Questions:
What are the 3 most important tasks for the week? Think of tasks that align with your monthly goals or that will have the most significant impact on your personal and professional life.
What scheduled events are coming up? Review your calendar for meetings, appointments, or deadlines. This gives you a bird’s eye view of your week.
How do I want to rest? Whether it’s a solo night, a date with friends, or a few hours with your favorite book, plan rest intentionally to recharge your energy.
02: Plug in Scheduled Appointments
This step is about getting all your non-negotiable commitments in one place.
Add appointments, meetings, and events to your calendar or planner.
Include recurring tasks, like weekly calls or gym sessions.
Use color coding to differentiate between personal and work-related events.
If you share a calendar with a partner or family, cross-check to ensure you’re aware of their commitments, too.
Pro Tip: Add buffer time between scheduled events to avoid back-to-back burnout and create space for flexibility.
03: Schedule Non-Negotiable Priorities and Habits
Your non-negotiables are the foundation of a balanced, intentional week. Here’s how to prioritize them:
Self-care: Block time for workouts, therapy, or activities that replenish you. For example, schedule a yoga session on Tuesday morning or a journaling session on Friday night.
Family time: Plan activities like a family dinner, a playdate with your kids, or even a simple walk with your partner.
Habits: Write down habits you want to focus on, like drinking water, meditating, or taking short breaks. Be specific with your goals (e.g., “Journal 3x this week” instead of “Journal”).
04: Determine and Schedule Your Top 3 Tasks
Your Top 3 tasks should be the most impactful things you need to accomplish during the week.
Start by reviewing your monthly goals or ongoing projects. What 3 actions will move the needle forward?
Break big tasks into manageable steps. For example, instead of “Write blog post,” list “Outline blog, draft intro, and edit final version.”
Block specific time slots in your calendar to work on these tasks so they don’t get lost in the shuffle.
Pro Tip: Keep a mix of personal and professional tasks in your Top 3 to balance your priorities.
05: Plan Your Rest
Rest isn’t just a nice-to-have—it’s a necessity! This step ensures you don’t burn out.
Assess your energy needs: Are you coming off a busy week or heading into a hectic one? Tailor your rest accordingly.
Schedule it in: Treat rest like any other appointment. For example, block Friday evening for a bubble bath and a movie or plan a solo coffee date midweek.
Mix it up: Rest doesn’t always mean doing nothing. It could be a creative activity like painting, a nature walk, or a night out with friends—whatever recharges you.
06: Add Additional Tasks
Finally, capture all the smaller to-dos that still need to get done but don’t fit into your Top 3.
Use the “Other Tasks” section of your planner or a digital task list to keep track of these items.
Assign deadlines to these tasks so they don’t linger on your list indefinitely.
Examples might include: sending an email, returning an online order, or scheduling a dentist appointment.
Pro Tip: Be realistic about what you can accomplish. If the list feels overwhelming, prioritize what truly needs to be done this week and save the rest for next week.
Tools I Use for My Weekly Prep Meetings
I keep it simple with a few key tools that make this process seamless:
Peacefully Productive Planner: My go-to for creating a weekly working plan.
Google Calendar: A digital hub for recurring and pre-scheduled tasks.
Pens & Highlighters: One color is for personal use, and one is for work—it keeps everything organized.
Why a Weekly Prep Meeting Works
Before I started doing Weekly Prep Meetings, I felt like I was constantly putting out fires, never truly making progress on my goals. Now, I have a bird’s eye view of my week, which helps me stay proactive instead of reactive.
By taking just 10–15 minutes each week to prepare, I:
Know my Top 3 priority tasks for the week
Feel confident about my schedule and commitments
Ensure I’m prioritizing rest, habits, and relationships
Spend less time feeling frazzled and more time being present
Doing a Weekly Prep Meeting isn’t about creating a “perfect” week. It’s about setting yourself up for success so you can focus on what matters most without feeling stretched too thin!
If you’re ready to try this routine, grab your planner, find a quiet spot, and give it a go! Follow the steps I’ve outlined here, and don’t forget to make it your own. Here’s to running your week like a pro! If this post helped you in any way, I’d be so grateful if you shared it on your Instagram story and tagged me @jessmassey and @hustlesanely so we can spread the message of Hustle Sanely together!
READY TO REACH YOUR GOALS WHILE PRIORITIZING YOUR WELL-BEING SO YOU DON’T HIT BURNOUT? GRAB A 2025 WEEKLY PEACEFULLY PRODUCTIVE PLANNER® BEFORE THEY’RE GONE!
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