For most of us, the struggle of juggling countless tasks and responsibilities while trying to maintain some semblance of work-life harmony is its own job.

Because time is the most precious thing we have, it’s the first thing we address and organize before building any strategy for our clients.

It’s absolutely necessary for your time to be designed in a way that you accomplish your tasks and also enjoy your day.

One non -negotiable tool we teach our clients is a powerful yet simple process that helps them transition from work to personal life, alleviate stress, and boost productivity.

It’s called “Closing Out the Day”.

Let’s walk through this practice so you can use it too.

The concept of “Closing Out the Day” comes from my days working the register in retail (Burlington Coat Factory anyone?).

Once the last customer left the store, your day was NOT done. You needed to take the register back to accounting to “Close Out Your Register”

It was then that you had to compare the money the till started with the money it ended with and work out any discrepancies.

Once everything was accounted for, you could officially clock out and call it a day.

This also meant that you knew exactly what was in the register for the next day. No surprises and clear expectations.

You need an end

Too often when we “clock out” we haven’t really left work, mentally or physically. Many of us work from home and no matter where we are, we carry it on our shoulders or in our head.

The process of “closing out the day” allows you the put work away no matter where you are. It lets you clarify what goals you started with, how they ended up, and what to do with what’s left. When everything is sorted and placed, you no longer have lingering tasks, they are done for today and you can leave work where it belongs.

Here’s what to do:

1. Take a moment: Set aside a few minutes at the end of your workday to focus on “Closing Out the Day.” Find a quiet space where you can reflect and concentrate.
2. Review your to-do list: Take a look at the tasks you had planned for the day. This could be a physical list or a digital tool like a task management app. Ensure you have a clear overview of everything you intended to accomplish.
3. Cross off completed tasks: Celebrate your victories! Go through your list and mark off the tasks you successfully completed. This simple act helps create a sense of accomplishment and boosts motivation.
4. Address unfinished tasks: Identify the tasks that remain unfinished. Evaluate their importance and urgency. Determine whether you can complete them right now or if they need to be rescheduled for a future date.
5. Take action or reschedule: For the unfinished tasks that can be completed quickly, take action and wrap them up now. This will give you a sense of closure and prevent them from lingering on your mind.
6. Reschedule strategically: If there are tasks that cannot be completed on the same day, allocate a new date and time for them. Be mindful of your workload and schedule, ensuring you can realistically accomplish them in the future. Don’t just dump them blindly.
7. Embrace closure: Once you’ve addressed all unfinished tasks, mentally shift gears and close the work chapter of your day. Power down your computer, tidy up your workspace, and symbolically put away your business hat.

Benefits of “Closing Out the Day”

Rediscover Work-Life Harmony: By consciously wrapping up your workday, you create space for your personal life to flourish. Intentionally addressing and resolving work-related tasks allows you to have the mental and emotional space to be fully present. You can finally enjoy guilt-free evenings, spend time with loved ones, and indulge in hobbies that recharge your entrepreneurial spirit.

Reduced stress: The process of “Closing Out the Day” alleviates stress by preventing “oh sh*t!” moments of things falling through the cracks or build-up of unfinished tasks. You can leave the office without post-work anxiety hangover or nagging feeling of unresolved to-do’s. You can unwind and relax because your day is over, not because you’re ignoring what you have to do.

Increased productivity: By systematically reviewing and completing tasks, you become more organized and efficient. You gain clarity on priorities, ensure important tasks are not overlooked, and optimize your productivity for the next day. You get daily clarity of your momentum and progress allowing you to pivot and adjust as needed rather than by surprise.

Enhanced well-being: This is your ticket to a happier and more harmonious life. It gives you permission to step away from the entrepreneurial hat and embrace the other roles that make you uniquely you — whether it’s a loving partner, a doting parent, or a karaoke superstar! Taking time to close out your workday nurtures your overall well-being. It allows you to recharge, indulge in hobbies, spend time with loved ones, and engage in self-care activities that promote mental and emotional health.

“Closing Out the Day” is the secret sauce that will transform your work-life harmony and supercharge your productivity.

This simple and effective practice has very real potential, without exaggeration, to revolutionize (yes, I said revolutionize) the way you approach your work and personal life.

By following this powerful process, you can achieve a sense of closure, reduce stress, boost productivity, and create a healthier work-life integration Every. Single. Day.

So, make it a habit.

Close your day, power down that computer, and step into all the other beautiful hats you wear.

Embrace the freedom and peace that comes with leaving work behind, and watch your entrepreneurial journey blossom like never before, one checked-off task at a time.

You’ve got the power to create the life you deserve, not someday, but today!