Close the day properly.

Step 1 of 5 — Sweep

What's still open?

Skim Slack, mail, your notes. Anything unfinished goes here — unsorted, unprioritised. You're not solving it, you're getting it out of your head.

Nothing open? Leave it blank. That's a valid day.

Step 2 of 5 — Tomorrow

One thing. The first thing.

Not a plan for tomorrow — the single thing you'll open the laptop and do. This is the step that actually closes the loop, so make it small enough to be true.

You'll see this here tomorrow evening.

Step 3 of 5 — One good thing

What went right?

Small counts. A decision that stuck, a meeting that ended early, someone who got unblocked. Skip it on the days it feels like a stretch — but try it on the bad ones first.

Step 4 of 5 — Physical

Now shut it.

The part your body does, not your head. Don't skip it — this is what the cue attaches to.

• 01Close every work tab. All of them.
• 02Lid down, or monitor off.
• 03Phone somewhere that isn't your pocket.
• 04Leave the room. Wash your face or hands.

Step 5 of 5 — Say it

Out loud. Same words every night, only ever after the other four steps.

When work turns up in your head at nine o'clock, don't chase it down. You said the words, which means it's handled — let that be the whole answer.

Closed

That's the day.

Go for a walk if you've got twenty minutes in you. It's the closest thing to a commute you've got.