10 Secret Rules to Make the Most of Your Fridays

The best day of the week is arguably, Friday. Because Friday means the weekend is just around the corner. But because we’re anxious for those precious days, it tends to make Friday an extension of the weekend so productivity levels aren’t exactly at an all-time high. Hey, it’s tough being productive after a long week so it’s not surprising there’s more yawning, Facebook-scrolling and staring off into space.

Mondays might suck but chances are, you accomplish a lot more. But if you want to wrap up your week the same way you start it, follow these tips and tricks. You’ll be saying TGIF for a whole other reason.

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Prepare your mind and body

It goes without saying: try to get a full night's sleep. It's amazing how energized you'll feel for the day ahead — and scary what can happen if you don't get enough sleep. Also, try and get out of your head and not think/overthink about work. Yeah, yeah, easier said than done but if you're not overanalyzing and tormenting yourself, you'll be sharper, more creative and aware.

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2 / 10

Be aware of your goals for the day

Before you buckle down, you need to know what you have to get done. Not only that, though, you also need to know how much time each task will roughly take. When all that's said and done, prioritize, prioritize, prioritize. Which brings me to the next point...

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3 / 10

Knock out the biggest thing(s) first

Prioritizing is important, so while you're kinda-sorta in the zone, kick off Friday with the toughest, most laborious task and get it off your plate. That way, by the afternoon wind-down time, it's not looming over your head.

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Complete smaller tasks

After that big project, leave yourself with the little, less daunting responsibilities. Not only can they be finished quicker but there's something about ticking things off your checklist that gives you a feeling of accomplishment. It's a nice way to end the week.

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5 / 10

Plan the following week

The best way to keep your weeks in check is to be organized. So if it's possible, start a to-do list on the Friday that will map out what the following week will look like. It gives you one less thing to do on Monday morning (when you're likely at your grumpiest) and you'll be ready to hit the ground running, thus making the rest of the week and, more importantly, the following Friday, lighter. Hopefully.

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Get organized

Aside from the planning, there's actual things you can do to help you feel extra motivated and focused for the following week. Tidying up your desk, filing papers, tossing stuff you don't need and sorting through your inbox will work wonders for the upcoming work days.

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7 / 10

Schedule meetings

Meetings can be kind of annoying. Half the time, what's said in them could've easily been put in a department-wide email. But on Fridays, when being at your desk feels like you're chained there with the slowest moving clock staring back at you, having the opportunity to get up and chat with others is all you need.

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Draft and reply to emails

For some reason, the ding of your inbox tends to be a little less frequent on Fridays, which can be a welcome reprieve after the onslaught you get throughout the rest of the week. People aren't in the mood to write meaningful messages on the last day of the week, nor are people ready to reply to them. But rather than wait until Monday to get cracking on them, write your emails on Friday and save them as drafts. That way on Monday or Tuesday, you can re-read them, revise them if needed, then hit send.

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9 / 10

Take frequent breaks

Whether you're getting up for a coffee, going to the bathroom, taking a walk on your lunch hour or actually leaving your desk to enjoy the giant salad you made yourself, it's a nice way to break up a day, stretch your legs, rehydrate. Just don't take advantage and slip away for too long.

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10 / 10

Know when to shut it down

At the end of the day, REALLY shut down and unplug from work — and make sure it's at quitting time and you're not staying late. Then forget about work emails or tying up loose ends on a project on a Friday evening. Take a full, much-deserved two-and-a-half day break from your job and just be you. You've earned it.