Successful
people know the importance of shifting gears on the weekend to relaxing and
rejuvenating activities. Like Spencer, they use their weekends to create a
better week ahead.
Related: 10
Truths We Forget Too Easily
This
is easier said than done, so here’s some help. The following list contains 10
things that successful people do to find balance on the weekend and to come
into work at 110% on Monday morning.
1.
They Disconnect
Disconnecting is the most important weekend strategy on this list, because if you can’t find a way to remove yourself electronically from your work Friday evening through Monday morning, then you’ve never really left work.
Making yourself available to your work 24/7 exposes you to a constant barrage of stressors that prevent you from refocusing and recharging. If taking the entire weekend off handling work e-mails and calls isn’t realistic, try designating specific times on Saturday and Sunday for checking e-mails and responding to voicemails. For example, check your messages on Saturday afternoon while your kids are getting a haircut and on Sunday evenings after dinner. Scheduling short blocks of time will alleviate stress without sacrificing availability.
2.
They Minimize Chores
Chores
have a funny habit of completely taking over your weekends. When this happens,
you lose the opportunity to relax and reflect. What’s worse is that a lot of
chores feel like work, and if you spend all weekend doing them, you just put in
a seven-day workweek. To keep this from happening, you need to schedule your
chores like you would anything else during the week, and if you don’t complete
them during the allotted time, you move on and finish them the following
weekend.
3.
They Reflect
Weekly
reflection is a powerful tool for improvement. Use the weekend to contemplate
the larger forces that are shaping your industry, your organization, and your
job. Without the distractions of Monday to Friday busy work, you should be able
to see things in a whole new light. Use this insight to alter your approach to
the coming week, improving the efficiency and efficacy of your work.
4.
They Exercise
No
time to exercise during the week? You have 48 hours every weekend to make it
happen. Getting your body moving for as little as 10 minutes releases GABA, a
soothing neurotransmitter that reduces stress. Exercise is also a great way to
come up with new ideas. Innovators and other successful people know that being
outdoors often sparks creativity.
I
know that a lot of my best ideas come to me while I’m surfing. While you’re out
in the ocean, the combination of invigorating activity and beautiful scenery
creates the perfect environment for an influx of creativity. Whether you’re
running, cycling, or gardening, exercise leads to endorphin-fueled
introspection. The key is to find a physical activity that does this for you
and then to make it an important part of your weekend routine.
5.
They Pursue a Passion
You
might be surprised what happens when you pursue something you’re passionate
about on weekends. Indulging your passions is a great way to escape stress and
to open your mind to new ways of thinking. Things like playing music, reading,
writing, painting, or even playing catch with your kids can help stimulate
different modes of thought that can reap huge dividends over the coming week.
Related: How
Successful People Stay Productive and In Control
6.
They Spend Quality Time with Family
Spending
quality time with your family on the weekend is essential if you want to
recharge and relax. Family time on the weekend is so important to Spencer
Rascoff that he flies home for the weekend, no matter how far away he is, even
if he has to be in the same city the following week. Weekdays are so hectic
that the entire week can fly by with little quality family time. Don’t let this
bleed into your weekends. Take your kids to the park, take your spouse to his
or her favorite restaurant, and go visit your parents. You’ll be glad you did.
7.
They Schedule Micro-Adventures
Buy
tickets to a concert or play, or get reservations for that cool new hotel that
just opened downtown. Instead of running on a treadmill, plan a hike. Try
something you haven’t done before or perhaps something you haven’t done in a
long time. Studies show that anticipating something good to come is a
significant part of what makes the activity pleasurable. Knowing that you have
something interesting planned for Saturday will not only be fun come Saturday,
but it will significantly improve your mood throughout the week.
8.
They Wake Up at the Same Time
It’s
tempting to sleep in on the weekend to catch up on your sleep. Though it feels
good temporarily, having an inconsistent wake-up time disturbs your circadian
rhythm. Your body cycles through an elaborate series of sleep phases in order
for you to wake up rested and refreshed. One of these phases involves preparing
your mind to be awake and alert, which is why people often wake up just before
their alarm clock goes off (the brain is trained and ready). When you sleep
past your regular wake-up time on the weekend, you end up feeling groggy and
tired. This isn’t just disruptive to your day off, it also makes you less
productive on Monday because your brain isn’t ready to wake up at your regular
time. If you need to catch up on sleep, just go to bed earlier.
9.
They Designate Mornings as Me Time
It
can be difficult to get time to yourself on the weekends, especially if you
have family. Finding a way to engage in an activity you’re passionate about
first thing in the morning can pay massive dividends in happiness and
cleanliness of mind. It’s also a great way to perfect your circadian rhythm by
forcing yourself to wake up at the same time you do on weekdays. Your mind
achieves peak performance two-to-four hours after you wake up, so get up early
to do something physical, and then sit down and engage in something mental
while your mind is at its peak.
10.
They Prepare for the Upcoming Week
The
weekend is a great time to spend a few moments planning your upcoming week. As
little as 30 minutes of planning can yield significant gains in productivity
and reduced stress. The week feels a lot more manageable when you go into it
with a plan because all you have to focus on is execution.
A version of this article first
appeared on TalentSmart.com.