Why I Work on the 4th of July — and Why You Might Want Your Own “Admin Day”

I’m the first to tell business owners not to work on holidays or vacations. Real breaks are essential for rest, creativity, and preventing burnout. But for me, the 4th of July is a little different.

My kids are usually with their dad, who lives for this holiday. My husband doesn’t get the day off. And living along the Northern California coast, well—let’s just say fog and fireworks don’t always mix. It’s not picnic weather, and I’ve learned over the years that the 4th offers a rare, quiet window where I can catch up on life without distraction or urgency.

So, I’ve come to love using this day for something I call an “Admin Day." (Don’t worry—we’ll be celebrating tomorrow with some good BBQ and a round of golf. I just shifted the fun by a day.)

What’s an Admin Day?

An Admin Day is a chunk of time—monthly, quarterly, or whenever life feels cluttered—dedicated to all the little tasks that get pushed aside in the daily rush. It’s a slow-paced, zero-pressure work session meant to clean house, both literally and digitally.

Today, my Admin Day includes:

• Cleaning out my inbox (hello, 1,000 mostly read but never deleted old emails!)

• Tossing old clothes and organizing my closet

• Updating my business contact list and CRM

• Filling out a report or two

• And one bonus task… writing this blog, because I wanted to share with you all

I’m not hustling. I’m not trying to “crush it.” I’m just clearing mental clutter and giving Future Me a break.

How You Can Create Your Own Admin Day

You don’t need a foggy holiday to do it. Try blocking out one day per month—or once a quarter—as a standing Admin Day. No meetings. No client work. Just behind-the-scenes cleanup that boosts productivity and mental clarity.

Here are a few high-impact ideas for your Admin Day:

For Your Business:

• Reconcile your books or update QuickBooks

• Clean up your CRM or email list

• Review your standard operating procedures (SOPs)

• Draft or update canned email responses

• File receipts or organize your Google Drive

• Review your pricing, policies, or client onboarding flow

  
  

For Your Personal Life:

• Clean out your email, texts, or voicemails

• Organize files and passwords

• Reevaluate subscriptions or automatic payments

• Scan and recycle paper clutter

• Make doctor or dentist appointments

• Plan meals or set up a budget for the month ahead

  
  

Why It Matters

Admin Days don’t make headlines. You’re not launching something big or racking up billable hours. But they’re the maintenance days that keep everything running smoothly behind the scenes.

Think of it like oil changes for your life and business. Skipping them may not cause immediate issues, but over time, things get gunky.

One Final Tip

Don’t over-structure it. Put on music or a podcast, wear something comfy, and approach the day like a gentle reset—not a grind. You might be surprised how satisfying it feels to take care of things you’ve been silently avoiding.

And if you happen to find yourself alone on a foggy holiday like I do? An Admin Day might just be your new favorite ritual.

Do you have your own version of an Admin Day? I’d love to hear how you reset and catch up. Drop a comment, send me a message, or tag me on Instagram and show me what you’re tackling.