How to get mental space and close out the week

A Friday afternoon routine to get you out of the fray

If you don't already, somewhere around 4pm on Friday, put your phone on do not disturb and go for a 20-30 minute walk. (Right after reading this would be a good time 😉.)

Reconnect with your senses. Get out of your head for a bit.

Even if you have more work to do tonight, it will help you mentally disconnect from the fray and come back with a different perspective.

To strengthen this practice, use the voice notes on your phone to record a personal audio journal as you walk, debriefing the week. Nobody needs to ever hear this. It's just for you. Talk through, as if you were sharing with a friend: What happened? What went well / didn't? What worked? How do you feel about it?

After you get through the play by play stuff, let it keep recording as you walk. Then the deeper questions, thoughts, and ideas will start to bubble up. You don't have to worry about capturing them, because the voice note will.

To REALLY turbocharge this practice, do it with a friend. One of my favorite parts of the week is hopping on my standing Friday call to debrief and process the week with a trusted confidant and friend.

A little headspace goes a long way. Nothing fancy needed.