5 Ways I Plan My Week to Be More Productive (Without Burning Out)

Ever sit down to work, look at your to-do list, and feel... immediately overwhelmed?

For a long time, I thought I just needed to work harder - start earlier, stay later, push through. Turns out, the trick isn’t working more. It’s planning smarter.

Here’s how I set up my week so I get more done, with way less stress and more time away from my screen.

1. I Plan My Week on Fridays

Friday afternoons are sacred: I block 30 minutes to look at next week’s tasks, meetings, and priorities. I assign specific tasks to specific days, and I even schedule my breaks. It’s like writing a manual for Future Me. (And trust me, Monday Me is so grateful.)

2. I Make Mornings Feel Good

The first 60–90 minutes of my day are screen-free and slow. I go for a walk, get a coffee, sometimes meet a friend, or swim. My only rules: fresh air, no scrolling, and caffeine. It sets the tone for a focused day, not a frantic one.

3. I Work With My Energy, Not Against It

I’m a morning person, so I do my high-focus work first thing. I save calls and admin for the afternoon. If your brain comes alive at 4pm, flip it! Productivity isn't about copying someone else's schedule, it’s about designing one that suits you.

4. I Plan Breaks Like I Plan Tasks

Your brain isn’t made to be “on” all day. I take short breaks between tasks, and one longer break mid-day. No doom scrolling, just a walk, lunch, some sunshine. Think of breaks as fuel, not a reward.

5. I Use Tools to Simplify, Not Complicate

My setup = Google Calendar and Asana. I time-block everything, not just meetings, but focus time, breaks, and even thinking space. The more decisions I remove from my day, the more energy I have for actually getting things done.

Planning your week isn’t about being rigid. It’s about creating structure so there’s space - for rest, for creativity, for life outside of work.

So choose your “weekly reset” day (I’m a Friday fan). Give yourself 30 minutes to get organised, and watch how much lighter your week feels.

Want to take this even further?

If planning your week sounds great in theory but messy in practice, that’s where we come in.

At Kelp Collective, we help creatives and founders like you build simple, streamlined systems that take the guesswork out of your workweek.

• Tasks that actually get done

• Clear workflows for you and your team

• More time for the stuff that lights you up

Ready to stop flying by the seat of your to-do list? Explore our Systems Services! Let’s build a business that works for you and not the other way around.

L x

Creative Founder, Kelp Collective