What does it mean to make a Chatzos Shabbos?

1. Spreading prep through the week in small increments.

2. Having most of the tasks done - and Shabbos table set - by mid-day on Friday.

3. Aiming for a calmer, more peaceful Friday.

4. Being ready to greet the Shabbos queen like royalty (rather than a doormat).

The 5 W's: Who, What, Where, When, & Why?

Who?

Everyone. Yes, you - the geshikt homemaker who has a system, it works, and no one's going to tell you to do anything different.

And you - the one who scoffs hearing about people who are ready mid-day, when you're lucky if you light before shekiah and can brush your teeth before greeting the queen.

Chatzos is for men, women, working, homemaking, young, not-so-young. Head honchos, small fries, literally everyone. It's a huge mitzvah.

What?

Chatzos Shabbos is a life journey. Getting on board doesn't mean you commit to being fully and perfectly ready every Friday at Chatzos. It means you're rethinking your weekly schedule, and you acknowledge that if you can find time Friday afternoon to peel carrots, you can find time Wednesday evening to do the same. And that chicken may taste better fresh, but marinading it overnight so it's ready to pop in the oven is even better.

And that meeting? That project with a deadline that you pushed until way too late on Friday? The flight that's so much cheaper but has you landing just a few hours after chatzos? Not worth it. You're pretty much guaranteed by a whole lot of really wise and great people that this will bring tremendous merit and blessing into your life.

Where?

Workplace, home, school - a Chatzos mindset comes into play everywhere we find ourselves on Fridays. Businesses owned by extraordinary people have traditionally closed early on Fridays, and lately we're seeing a comeback of that trend. (Looking at you, BP Print Group!)

When?

Start Motzei Shabbos - set up the Shabbos candles. Then enjoy melave malka to hold onto Shabbos (and feed your luz bone). Then work on doing something small each day with intention of keeping Friday tasks to a minimum.

Why?

So glad you asked. Either you have a system and it works, or you don't have a system and you have no hope of changing it but you've survived until now and no one starved. So why are you still reading?

Clearly you're a deep thinker, and willing to reconsider the way things have always been done.

Consider these incentives:

The Imrei Emes says that getting ready for Shabbos early is a special merit and segulah to help children who have gone off the derech return to Torah.
Rav Rachamim Attiya told his children to receive Shabbos as early as possible, as if anticipating royalty, “If you want Hashem to shower you with blessing, be exceedingly careful with the honor of Shabbat. Set the table already on Wednesday, and spend your whole week preparing for Shabbat, which is the very source of bracha.”
Reb Aharon Leib Steinman, zt"l, said that there is one solution that can save a person from all troubles – to be mechazek in Shmiras Shabbos. “Be prepared early in anticipation for Shabbos Kodesh, it is a tried and tested seguloh that works for all problems.”