The Sunset Productivity System: How to Transform Your Evenings and Be More Productive
Are you tired of wasting your evenings and feeling like you didn’t get enough done? Do you wish you had more energy and time to do things that matter? Well, guess what? You don’t need a ton of time—you just need the right system!
In this blog post, I’m going to show you how to turn your evenings around with a simple system I call the Sunset Productivity System . This easy system will help you make the most out of the time after work, so you can be productive, enjoy time with your family, and still get a great night’s sleep.
What is the Sunset Productivity System ?
The Sunset Productivity System is a system that will help you change your evening routine into something that works for you, not against you. It’s all about creating three easy steps that’ll help you move from tired and distracted to focused and energized, so you can actually get things done.
If you're like most people, your evenings might look like this:
You get home from work, change into your comfy clothes, and collapse on the couch.
You tell yourself you’ll be productive, but then it’s too easy to watch TV, check your phone, or just "relax" without doing anything meaningful.
Before you know it, it’s bedtime and you didn’t do anything you wanted to.
But what if you could stop wasting time and use your evenings to move closer to your goals?
In this post, I’ll show you how to do just that in three simple phases: Energize & Reset, Be Intentional, and Wind Down.
Phase 1: Energize – The First Step to an Amazing Evening
What is Energize & Reset?
The Energize & Reset phase happens the moment you get home from work or school. It’s when you shift gears from whatever you were doing during the day to what you want to do in the evening.
Example: Imagine you come home, take off your shoes, and sit down. Normally, you’d just turn on the TV or scroll on your phone. But in the Energize & Reset phase, you decide to do something different. You can change into an outfit that makes you feel good, put on your favorite music, or even dance around for a few minutes to get your energy up!
By doing something special when you first walk through the door, you tell your brain that it’s time to switch gears and be productive.
How to Energize & Reset
You can make your Energize & Reset work for you by doing things like:
Change your clothes: This can help your body and mind understand that it’s time to move into your next phase of the day. If you’re going to be working on your side hustle or reading a book, wear something that helps you feel like you mean business. If you’re going to spend time with your family, wear something that’s comfortable, but also signals that you’re “ready” for the next part of your day.
Play music: If you love music, use it as a tool to shift your mood. Play a fun song that makes you feel energized. This will help you feel more awake and ready to go.
Take a quick walk outside: Going for a 5-minute walk when you get home can clear your head and help you get into the right mindset for the evening.
Phase 2: Be Intentional – How to Get Things Done
What is Be Intentional?
Now that you’ve powered up, it’s time to Be Intentional! This is when you focus on the most important thing you want to get done in the evening. It could be working on your business, finishing a personal project, or even spending quality time with your family.
Example: If you’re like me, I spend the evening working on my business, Crystal Eva Inc. During my Be Intentional phase, I turn off the TV, set a timer for 60 minutes, and dive into my most important task. Maybe it’s creating content for my digital products or responding to client emails.
By setting a timer, I know I have a set amount of time to focus, and once that timer goes off, I can reward myself by taking a break.
How to Be Intentional
Here are some tips to help you Be Intentional your evening:
Set a Timer: Decide how long you want to spend on a task and set a timer for that time. For example, you might set the timer for 60 minutes if you’re working on a project, or 30 minutes if you’re cleaning or organizing. When the timer goes off, you’re done with that task for the night.
Eliminate Distractions: It’s easy to get distracted, especially when there’s a TV or your phone nearby. If you need to focus, make sure to turn off the TV, silence your phone, and get rid of other distractions.
Create a Focused Environment: If you’re working on a project or side hustle, light a candle or play calming background music. If you’re spending time with your family, put away your phone and focus on connecting with them.
Practical Example: Be Intentional with Your Side Hustle
If you’re working on a side hustle, this is how you can Be Intentional:
Set a clear goal for the next hour: “I’m going to write two blog posts” or “I’m going to create one new social media post.”
Prepare your workspace: Make sure everything you need is ready. Grab your laptop, open your planner, and light a candle if that helps you concentrate.
Stay focused: Set a timer for 60 minutes and get to work. No distractions!
By setting clear intentions for your Be Intentional time, you’ll find that you accomplish a lot in a short amount of time.
Phase 3: Wind Down – How to Relax and Get Ready for Bed
What is Wind Down?
The last phase of your evening is Wind Down. This phase is when you start getting your body ready for sleep. You want to make sure you’re winding down properly so that you get a good night’s sleep and wake up ready to take on the next day.
Example: After finishing your Be Intentional phase, it’s time to relax. You can read a book, journal about your day, or take a warm bath to help your body cool down and prepare for sleep.
By creating a calming Wind Down routine, your body knows it’s time to get rest. This helps you fall asleep faster and wake up feeling refreshed.
How to Wind Down
Here’s how to make the Wind Down phase work for you:
Turn off screens: Try to avoid using your phone, tablet, or computer an hour before bed. The blue light from screens can make it harder for you to fall asleep.
Read a book: Reading a book (instead of watching TV) helps your mind relax. Pick a book that you enjoy but isn’t too exciting, so you can wind down slowly.
Take a warm bath: A warm bath or shower before bed can help relax your muscles and make you feel cozy and calm.
Journal your thoughts: If you’ve had a busy day, writing down your thoughts can help you clear your mind. Write about what went well during the day or what you’re grateful for. This will help you feel peaceful before sleep.
Putting It All Together
Now that you know the three phases of the Sunset Productivity System —Energize & Reset, Be Intentional, and Wind Down—it’s time to put it into action! Here’s an example of what your evening might look like:
Sample Evening Schedule:
5:30 PM - 6:00 PM (Energize & Reset): Change into comfy clothes, play some energizing music, and get yourself into a productive mood.
6:00 PM - 7:30 PM (Be Intentional): Set a timer for 60 minutes and work on your side hustle, or spend quality time with your family.
7:30 PM - 9:00 PM (Wind Down): Turn off your screens, read a book, and relax before bed.
9:00 PM - 9:30 PM (Sleep Prep): Get into bed and fall asleep by 9:30 PM for a good night’s rest.
Why the Sunset Productivity System Works
When you follow these three phases, you’re able to use your evenings in a much more intentional way. The more you follow this routine, the easier it gets to create habits that support your goals. You’ll feel more focused, productive, and rested, which helps you be the best version of yourself every day.
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About Crystal Eva
Crystal Eva is a Fractional Chief Operating Officer. She empowers and supports women entrepreneurs by streamlining their technology, enhancing client retention, and elevating the client journey and onboarding process with seamless efficiency.
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