1: “Shutdown complete.”
Those are the two words we should say at the end of our workday.
Why? Because we are trying to create a “bright line” between our professional and personal lives.
When we are working, we are working. All-in. 100%.
And when our workday is over, we set a boundary so we can be 100% present with our families, friends, hobbies, or whatever we do to relax and recharge.
2: In his book, The 5 Types of Wealth, Sahil Bloom writes that creating a “Personal Power-Down” ritual is a key strategy to improve what he calls our “Mental Wealth” and enhance our overall quality of life.
Georgetown professor and author Cal Newport first proposed the “shutdown complete” idea more than 10 years ago.
It involves “a fixed sequence of actions and behaviors that create space in our lives,” Sahil writes, “by mentally and physically marking the end of our professional day.”
Here is an example of what our fixed sequence might look like:
- Check email for any final requests requiring action.
- Check calendar and task lists for the following day.
- Do fifteen minutes of prep for priority tasks of the next morning.
- Close down all applications and technology for the night.
Sahil has seen many benefits from his power-down ritual.
- Clear boundaries: “The ritual creates a clear set of boundaries that separate professional and personal activities,” he writes. “We become more present on each side of the boundary.”
- Enhanced morning productivity: “By including a bit of prep for the following morning as part of my ritual, I have noticed a clear boost in my productivity on the first task of the following day,” Sahil reports. “I’m ready to hit the ground running.”
- Improved mental health: “I feel so much better in the evenings after I have had the power-down. I’m more present with my wife and son, I’m not worried about the random notifications that are hitting, and I’m able to fall asleep faster.”
3: Here’s how we can create our own “Shutdown Complete” ritual:
Step 1: Complete final tasks. What action items do we need to complete before calling it a day? “For most people,” Sahil writes, “this will involve checking email and Slack with a quick scan, plus a sweep of any open projects.”
Step 2: Prepare for tomorrow. Identify the key priorities for tomorrow and decide on the first task to tackle in the morning. Spend 10 to 15 minutes on this prep work to supercharge the start of the next day.
3: Initiate power-down: Say “Shutdown Complete,” then turn off the laptop as the work day is officially done.
More tomorrow!
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Reflection: How would my evenings and relationships change if I truly ended my workday—mentally and physically—with a consistent “shutdown complete” ritual?
Action: Using the three elements above, create my own power-down ritual. Take the first step by committing to try it this week—then reflect on and share the difference it makes. Start today and see how it transforms my work and personal life.
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