Why You Should Try an Admin Hour This Weekend

~The Power of an Admin Hour: Resetting Your Week for Calm and Clarity~

What if you could take just one hour per weekend and get through all of the administrative tasks that will set you up to feel confident and in control for the week ahead? Why not try an admin hour?

Sunday evenings can have a heavy feel, especially if your head is swimming with a list of things you need to do to get through the week ahead.  Weekends are often filled with errands, social commitments, chores, and often work. But there is one powerful habit that you can try–and it’s just one hour to help you start the week feeling organized and mentally ready–the “Admin Hour”.

What is an Admin Hour?

An Admin hour is a one-hour time slot that you pick each weekend to focus specifically on the administrative tasks you need to do to stay organized. This time isn’t about creative projects or deep thinking–it’s just about gathering together all of the open loops and closing them. Setting aside that hour can create a foundation for the week and also free up mental space to focus on other, more important priorities.

Think of it as an hour of clearing off your mental slate so that you start the week off with a clear head and a sure-fire plan.

Why an Admin Hour Makes a Difference

Our brains can be full of clutter and we can spend time and mental energy with both big and small things that can pop up over and over. From “Oh! I can’t forget to make that dental appointment” to “I need to remember to call my brother” to “I have to remember to take something for the potluck lunch at the office.” Often there is no rhyme or reason to what might float into our consciousness and it takes up a great deal of our mental energy.

Productivity research shows that when we switch quickly between tasks we can decrease our efficiency. This mental jockeying between tasks that run through our head can even decrease our ability to remember things. When we organize all of the little things that are running around in our heads and take a dedicated period of time to focus on them, it can reduce stress and help us feel more in control.

Here’s a look at why an Admin Hour can be transformative:

1. Mental Clarity: When you have a bunch of to-dos randomly popping up in your mind, your focus becomes scattered. Spending a focused hour writing everything down and organizing your week ahead helps create some open headspace.
2. Improved Productivity: Dedicating time each week can help you feel more in control and can reduce the chances of those last-minute rushes.
3. Reduced Stress: Knowing that you will return to your admin hour each week can help you feel confident that you have time scheduled to capture all of the tasks you need to think about for the week ahead.
4. Improved Sense of Well-Being: When you’re not constantly thinking about to-dos, we can be more present in each moment. Implementing an Admin hour will help you to let some of the small things go and be able to enjoy your life.

What Exactly to Do In Your Admin Hour

Of course, there’s no secret formula–it’s totally up to you and what feels right at the time. Here are a few things to consider and add onto.

1. Set Weekly Goals: What do you want to achieve in the week ahead? Are there any specific stressors or big events you should consider? Use them to plan for the week ahead.
2. Review Your Calendar and To Do List: Whatever kind of planning tool you use, now is the time to go through the week ahead and make sure everything is up to date. Use this to create your weekly list of things that you want to get done. Hint: Try prioritizing your list and keeping it shorter and more focused to prevent overwhelm.
3. Declutter Spaces: Wherever you gather your mail, email, and other things that accumulate, take a few minutes to tidy up, recycle old paper, and clean out digital spaces. If you’re not an “inbox zero” person, do whatever feels comfortable–consider email folders or use boomerang or other tools to send messages back to you at a time when you can deal with them.
4. Financial Check-In: Take a quick look through your banking apps to make sure everything is in order. Make any bill payments that are due or put them on auto payment for a day in the future.
5. Meal Plan: Sketch out meals for the week and order groceries ahead. Having a plan, even if it’s not written in stone, can help make healthy choices and avoid having what to eat add to decision fatigue.
6. Wardrobe Plan: Think about your week ahead and what you might need to wash, take to the cleaners, or clean. Fewer decisions under pressure equals more mental clarity during the week. I like the outfit formulas at Get Your Pretty On (and especially that they encourage you to “shop your closet”).
7. Write a 60-Second Gratitude List: Think about the positive things in your life and what you’re grateful for. It only takes a minute and you’ll feel more grounded and have a more resourceful mindset.

Tips to Make Your Admin Hour Amazing

The trick here is to have that hour be focused and consistent, so that you’ll be motivated to continue the practice over time. Here are some helpful tips:

• Use a Consistent Time: Schedule it in like you would any other appointment. Ideally, it would take place at the same time and on the same day. Building it as a regular habit will lead to more consistency.
• Avoid Multitasking: Put your phone on Do Not Disturb and avoid the temptation to check email or start scrolling. Doing one task at a time and nothing else takes more discipline than you think but it will reap rewards.
• Beat the Clock: Set a timer for one hour and stick to that time. The pomodoro technique works in the same way–do use time as a way to manage time and build focus. Stop when the 60 minutes are up and make a quick note of anything that still needs to be done.

How to Maintain the Admin Hour Habit

Establishing a new habit can be a challenge but implementing an Admin Hour can be rewarding because you’ll notice the benefits right away. Here are some ideas to reinforce the Admin Hour habit.

1. Track Your Progress: Keep a weekly chart and cross off each time you complete an Admin Hour each week. See how long a streak you can create (this can be surprisingly motivating).
2. Reward Yourself: When your Admin Hour is complete, reward yourself with something, whether big or small. It could be a cup of tea, your favorite show, or a bubble bath.
3. Involve Your Family or Friends: Let others know about the Admin Hour and invite them to check in with you to see how it’s going. This is a fantastic activity to do as a family where everyone sits together to run through the week.
4. Adjust, Adjust, Adjust: If things don’t go exactly as planned, keep playing with things. Adjust how you are recording things, or try doing it in a different spot in the house. Over time, you’ll find out what works best for you.

What’s the Result?

An Admin Hour can help you have calm, clarity, groundedness and a better week ahead!

It’s a seemingly simple idea but it can be incredibly powerful. By setting aside time to organize and anticipate the week ahead, you’re setting yourself up to have a clearer mind and more energy for the things that really matter.

Would you try an Admin Hour? Many people who try this technique report feeling more in control, less stressed, and more able to enjoy their leisure time, knowing that there is scheduled time to think about what’s ahead.

Do grab your calendar, set a timer, and dive into an Admin Hour this weekend. You might find that it makes all the difference.

And while you’re at it, join The Weekend Reset Challenge and Online Community to find more research-backed, simple practices to create a calm, connected, confident week ahead. Sign up today and see how a weekend reset can transform your life!