We all know the feeling. It hits around 4:00 PM on Sunday. The relaxation of the weekend begins to fade, replaced by a creeping anxiety about the week ahead. The “Sunday Scaries” aren’t just a meme; they are a symptom of entering a new week without a plan.
Most people stumble into Monday morning and spend the first two days of the week just trying to catch up. But high achievers know that Monday is won on Sunday.
The solution isn’t to work through your weekend. The solution is the “Audit Your Life” Sunday Routine. It is a dedicated 45-minute block of time designed to close the tabs in your brain, reset your emotional state, and align your actions with your goals.
Here is how to execute the Audit.
Phase 1: The Physical Reset (15 Minutes)
You cannot think clearly in a cluttered environment. Before you sit down to plan, perform a “surface sweep.”
- Clear the decks: Put away laundry, clear the kitchen island, and organize your desk.
- Digital declutter: Close the 50 browser tabs you have open. clear your desktop screenshots, and get to Inbox Zero (or at least Inbox Manageable).
The Goal: Create a “neutral” space so your brain isn’t distracted by physical tasks when you are trying to do high-level thinking.
Phase 2: The Retro (10 Minutes)
Open your journal or note-taking app. Look at the week that just passed. This isn’t about beating yourself up; it is about data collection. Ask yourself three questions:
- What was the “Win”? (Acknowledge progress).
- Where was the “Leak”? (Where did you waste time, money, or energy?).
- What did I learn?
Phase 3: The Forecast (15 Minutes)
Now, look at the week ahead.
- Hard Landscape: Fill in the non-negotiables first (meetings, appointments, workouts).
- The Big Three: Identify the top three tasks that must happen for you to feel successful by next Friday. If you have more than three, you don’t have priorities; you have a wish list.
- Identify Friction: Look for potential obstacles (e.g., “I have a late meeting Tuesday, so I won’t feel like cooking”). Solve them now (e.g., “I’ll prep dinner on Sunday”).
Phase 4: The Launchpad (5 Minutes)
Set yourself up for speed on Monday morning.
- Lay out your workout clothes.
- Pack your bag.
- Write down the single first thing you will do when you sit at your desk.
🚀 The Investors Leap Tip: The “ROI on Energy”
In investing, we look for assets that provide a return on capital. in life, we must look for habits that provide a return on energy.
During your Sunday Audit, apply the 80/20 Rule (Pareto Principle) to your calendar. Look at your upcoming schedule and ask:
“Which 20% of these activities will produce 80% of my results towards my long-term freedom?”
The Tip:
Color-code your calendar for the week. Mark your high-leverage activities (investing research, business development, deep work) in Green. Mark your maintenance tasks (emails, administrative meetings, chores) in Gray.
If you look at your week and there is no Green, you aren’t investing in your future; you are just managing your present. Audit your week until you see Green.
Final Thoughts
The “Audit Your Life” routine transforms Sunday from a day of anxiety into a launchpad for success. It turns you from a passenger in your own life into the pilot.
Grab a coffee, find a quiet corner, and design the week you deserve.
