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Welcome to another edition of the 1% Habits Newsletter!

This is where you’ll get up-to-date information on small wins to improve your habits, productivity, and life satisfaction. 

Let’s get to it.

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📈 A New Halloween Ritual (Not Candy-Related)

Tomorrow is Halloween, which means my “workweek” is officially ending a little early.

I’ll be going to both of my kids’ school parades, then watching them trick-or-treat later in the day. I’ll probably sneak a few Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups too — purely for quality control, of course.

But this year, I’m using Halloween as more than just a sugar-filled family day. I’m using it as an early opportunity to continue a new weekly habit I’m testing: the Weekly Reset.

It’s something I’ve been thinking about for a while — a simple ritual that helps you close the loop on one week and start the next one feeling organized, clear, and calm.

Because if I’m honest, too many of my weeks used to end in chaos.

A project or two half-finished. Notes scattered across apps. A to-do list that looked more like a guilt list.

By Sunday night, I’d already feel behind — even before Monday began.

That’s the problem the Weekly Reset solves.

What Is a Weekly Reset?

A Weekly Reset is a short, intentional block of time (usually 30–60 minutes) where you pause, reflect, and prepare for the week ahead.

It’s like hitting the “refresh” button on your brain and your systems.

The goal isn’t to plan every detail of your life — it’s to create enough order and clarity so you can start the week focused, not frazzled.

Think of it as a mini ritual that combines reflection, organization, and preparation.

You review what happened, tidy up the clutter, and set clear priorities for what’s next.

When done right, it becomes one of the most valuable hours of your entire week.

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Why Most People Feel Behind All the Time

Here’s the truth: most people don’t have a system for ending their week.

They just stop working when they run out of energy.

But what happens then?

● Loose ends pile up.

● Tasks spill over into the weekend.

● You spend Sunday night trying to remember what you forgot.

● Monday morning hits like a freight train.

Without a reset, your weeks blur together. You never really feel “caught up.”

The Weekly Reset changes that. It gives your brain a sense of closure — a clean slate — so you can actually rest on the weekend and start Monday with momentum.

The Benefits of a Weekly Reset

Once you build this ritual into your life, you’ll notice a few big shifts:

1. You Start Mondays Calm, Not Chaotic

Instead of scrambling to remember what’s on your plate, you already know your top priorities. You hit the ground running.

2. You End the Week With Clarity

You don’t carry the mental clutter of unfinished business into your weekend. You can actually relax because you’ve closed the loop.

3. You Regain Control of Your Time

By reviewing your calendar and commitments, you stop overbooking yourself and start designing your week intentionally.

4. You Build Momentum

Each week becomes a mini feedback loop — you learn what worked, what didn’t, and how to improve.

5. You Protect Your Energy

A reset helps you align your schedule with your energy levels. You start noticing patterns, like when you’re most productive or when you need downtime.

The Philosophy Behind It

The Weekly Reset is based on a simple truth: clarity compounds.

When you take time to reflect and reorganize, even briefly, you multiply the effectiveness of everything that follows.

It’s like sharpening the axe before chopping wood.

Most people spend their weeks reacting — answering emails, putting out fires, and chasing tasks. The Weekly Reset flips that dynamic. It moves you from reactive to proactive.

You stop letting the week happen to you and start designing it on purpose.

How to Create Your Own Weekly Reset Ritual

There’s no single “right” way to do it, but here’s a framework that works for me (and that you can easily adapt).

Step 1: Pick Your Time

Choose a consistent time each week when your energy is lower, and you’re winding down — Friday afternoon, Saturday morning, or Sunday evening all work well.

For me, Friday afternoons are ideal. I like ending the week with closure so I can fully unplug for the weekend.

Step 2: Create a Reset Environment

Make it feel intentional.

● Put on some music.

● Grab a coffee or tea.

● Sit somewhere comfortable.

● Keep your phone on Do Not Disturb.

You’re not “working” — you’re resetting.

Step 3: Review the Past Week

Ask yourself a few simple questions:

● What went well this week?

● What didn’t go as planned?

● What did I learn?

● What needs to be carried forward?

This reflection helps you spot patterns and celebrate wins (which we often skip).

Step 4: Clear the Clutter

This is the cleanup phase.

● Empty your inbox.

● Organize your notes.

● Cross off completed tasks.

● Move unfinished ones to next week.

● Delete or archive what you no longer need.

You’re creating a clean mental and digital workspace.

Step 5: Plan the Week Ahead

Now, look forward.

● Review your calendar.

● Add key appointments, family events, and deadlines.

● Block time for deep work, exercise, and rest.

● Identify your top 3 priorities for the week.

This is where you shape your week intentionally — not just reactively.

Step 6: Reconnect With Your “Why”

Take 2–3 minutes to reflect on your broader goals.

Ask: What matters most right now?

This step keeps you aligned with your values instead of getting lost in busywork.

Step 7: End With Gratitude

Before you finish, write down one thing you’re grateful for from the week. It’s a small act that shifts your mindset from pressure to appreciation.

What My Weekly Reset Looks Like

Here’s what mine typically includes (and what I’ll be doing this Friday after the Halloween festivities wind down):

1. Quick Reflection: I jot down three wins from the week — even small ones like “finished that tricky email sequence” or “made it to both kids’ parades.”
   

2. Inbox Zero: I archive or respond to everything lingering in my inbox so I can start Monday with a clean slate.
   

3. Calendar Review: I check next week’s schedule — both business and family — and make sure there aren’t any hidden landmines.
   

4. Priority Planning: I identify the three most important things I need to accomplish next week.
   

5. Digital Cleanup: I tidy up files, notes, and browser tabs. (It’s amazing how much mental clutter hides in open tabs.)
   

6. Gratitude Check: I end by writing one thing I’m grateful for — often something simple, like “a slow morning with coffee and my kids.”

The whole process takes about 30 minutes or less. But the payoff is huge.

I end the week feeling clear, not cluttered. And I start Monday ready to move, not scramble.

How to Add It to Your Routine

If you want to make the Weekly Reset a consistent habit, here’s how to build it into your life:

1. Schedule It Like an Appointment. Put it on your calendar (recurring weekly). Treat it as non‑negotiable — like a meeting with your future self.

2. Start Small. Even 15 minutes is better than nothing. You can expand the ritual as it becomes a habit.

3. Use Prompts or Templates. If you like structure, use a simple worksheet or planner. (The Time Management & Productivity Printable includes a “Weekly Review” section that fits perfectly for this.)

4. Make It Enjoyable. Add a ritual element — a favorite drink, playlist, or candle. The more pleasant it feels, the more likely you’ll stick with it.

5. End With a Win. Always finish by acknowledging something positive. That emotional closure is key.

Why It Matters

The Weekly Reset isn’t just about planning — it’s about peace.

It’s about creating space to breathe, reflect, and realign before the next wave of responsibilities hits.

When you skip this step, life feels like an endless treadmill. When you include it, life starts to feel like a rhythm — a series of intentional cycles instead of one long blur.

And the best part? It doesn’t take much time.

Just one focused hour can save you countless hours of reactivity, stress, and confusion later.

Final Thoughts on Weekly Resets

Tomorrow, while my kids are running around in costumes and collecting candy, I’ll be quietly running my own little ritual — my Weekly Reset.

It’s my way of ending the week on purpose instead of by accident.

Because life doesn’t slow down. The calendar keeps filling up. The tasks keep coming. But when you pause to reset, you stop being swept along by it all — and start steering again.

So here’s my challenge for you:

Before next Monday rolls around, carve out 30 minutes for your own Weekly Reset.

Review, reflect, and reset.

Your future self will thank you for it.

Talk soon,

Steve

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