🎯 The Reset Hour
Read time: 3.8 minutes
Welcome to Better at Life, the weekly newsletter where I share one simple, actionable idea you can put into practice today to build better habits, sharpen your mindset, and live with more intention.
Last Sunday, I kept thinking about something I hadn’t finished.
Not one big task.
Just a handful of small, open loops.
An email I hadn’t replied to.
A decision I kept delaying.
A few tasks sitting in the background.
Nothing urgent.
But none of it felt closed.
By the time Monday morning arrived, I already felt behind.
Not because I had too much to do.
Because I never actually finished the week before.
Most weeks don’t end.
They leak into the next one.
So I started trying something simple.
One hour.
Blocked before the week begins.
No catching up.
No distractions.
Just resetting.
I call it The Reset Hour.
A weekly reset routine to close loops, clear mental clutter, and start fresh.
Write this down:
You don’t need more time. You need a clean reset.
This Week’s Action
Block one hour before your next week begins.
During that hour, do three things:
1. Close loops
- Finish small lingering tasks
- Send the message you’ve been avoiding
- Make decisions that have been hanging open
2. Clear space
- Clean your workspace
- Reset your digital desktop
- Write down everything on your mind
3. Set direction
- Choose your 3-Win Week
- Decide your top priorities
- Plan how Monday starts
Keep it simple.
This is not about doing more.
It is about finishing what’s open and starting clean.
Why This Works
Open loops create mental noise.
Even when you are not actively thinking about them, they pull at your attention.
A weekly reset routine gives your brain closure.
It separates one week from the next.
That shift matters.
You stop reacting to your week.
You start it with intention.
Try This
Schedule your Reset Hour at the same time each week.
Make it repeatable.
You can even stack it with something you already do.
Sunday afternoon.
Sunday evening.
Or the last hour of your workweek.
Add a small signal that the reset has started.
A clean desk.
A notebook.
A specific playlist.
Keep the structure the same each time.
Let it become automatic.
Weekly Reflection
Before you move on from this email, pause for a moment.
Ask yourself:
What is still open from this past week?
What would feel good to close today?
What would make next week feel clear and focused?
Write it down.
Then reset before the week begins.
If this idea feels useful, feel free to pass it along to someone who might need it this week.
You don’t need perfect weeks.
You need clean endings.
See you next week — a little better at life.
______
Dr. Chris Mullen
Bring Better at Life to Your Organization
If these ideas resonate, this is also the work I bring into organizations and leadership teams.
I partner with organizations that want clearer thinking, stronger decision-making, and more sustainable performance.
Engagements typically include:
- Keynote speaking for conferences and leadership events
- Leadership development workshops for teams and managers
- Team strategy sessions focused on alignment and execution
For senior leaders seeking deeper application, I also maintain a small executive coaching practice.
