Even though the typical work week ends on Friday, the weekend still holds plenty of opportunity for you to step up your game. Many of the most successful people make a habit out of staying just as motivated on Saturdays and Sundays as they do during the week. The true secret of how highly successful people spend their weekends is easy – they continue to implement the good habits they use during the other five days of the week.
If you want to stay motivated for success, take a look at the 13 most common things successful people do on the weekends:
- Rise and Shine Early
Just because you can sleep in on the weekends, it doesn’t mean you should. High level executives like Richard Branson, Founder of the Virgin Group, are dedicated to rising with the sun. Branson and many other Fortune 500 executives believe in the benefits of rising early every day of the week. Most get up between 4:30 am and 5:30am to exercise, check emails, and start their day feeling accomplished.
- Use Focus for Productivity
The urge to multi-task over the short two days of the weekend should be nipped in the bud. Successful people find their lives much more productive when they focus on one single activity at a time. Doing so increasing your concentration and efficiency so you can accomplish what you set out to do. Experts recommend limiting daily tasks to just one or two a day so you can be sure to give it your all.
- Put a Plan On Paper
Writing lists on paper, even in this highly technological world, can still be a highly effective way to stay on track and organized. Many successful people take the time each night to jot down notes for the next day’s activities. They are able to wake up knowing exactly what they need to accomplish. Weekend tasks should be planned out just as they are throughout the week. If you need a break to refresh your mind and body, make the essential rest part of your daily plan.
- Keep Your Priorities in Order
Saturday and Sunday tasks do not have to be all about work. Weekends are meant for relaxing and to maintain a quality work-life balance, you need to contemplate your specific life priorities. If you have a family, plan to spend quality time reconnecting over the weekend. Don’t neglect friends and family over your work goals. The benefits of laughing and enjoying the company of those you love can help you relax and face Monday with a fresher, happier perspective. It is important to think over the priorities of your life in general so you can maintain a well-rounded, nicely balanced life. Listing your priorities in writing can be an effective way to better plan every day of the week.
- Forget Weekend Chores
Surely there is a lot to get done around the house but plan to do that work during the weeknights rather than over the weekend. Limit only an hour or two over the weekend to your chores. If you do household chores in smaller increments throughout the week, you’ll free up valuable time on Saturday and Sunday to be more productive in other areas of your life. If housework is too overwhelming, consider hiring help where someone comes in to tackle the biggest chores. The amount of time you get back for productivity and relaxation will be well worth the cost of paying someone else to take care of the dirty work.
- Enjoy the Benefits of Quiet Time
Oprah Winfrey is adamant about her quiet time. She spends at least 20 minutes twice a day sitting quietly, practicing stillness. The art of meditation has long been used to still the mind and bring about awareness and clarity. It has long been understood meditating can help lower stress levels, boost productivity, spark creativity, and promote overall better health. Meditation can be as simple as sitting quietly and focusing only on the breath coming in and going out of your body. Yoga and other practices are also touted for helping to quiet the mind and bring out a deeper understanding of ourselves. Arianna Huffington, President of the Huffington Post Media Group believes in the effectiveness of the practice of meditation so much, she offers weekly classes for her employees.
- Get Your Body Moving
In addition to the importance of quieting the mind, it is just as vital you keep your blood pumping over the weekend. Sitting at a desk all week is not healthy. As noted, highly successful executives get up early to jump on the treadmill to wake up their minds every day. Even if you lack time to work out on the weekdays, the weekend is the perfect time to get moving. Plan an invigorating hike, start walking with friends, visit the gym first thing on weekend mornings. The exercise brings about clarity and focus in the mind, allowing you to organize your thoughts and sort through your priorities. The workouts will also keep your body fit and promote overall good health.
- Aspire to a Digital Detox
Technology allows for a lot of distraction. It’s all too easy to have your work life distract you from your weekend plans. Cell phones ring, social media alerts come in, and if you are constantly holding your phone in front of your face, you are missing what’s happening IRL. Make part of your weekend plan to detox from the digital world. Quiet your phone, turn off the television, and enjoy life unplugged – if only for a few hours. Many people spend their weekends obsessing over their Facebook newsfeed, worried they will miss out on something. Realize what you are truly missing out on is your own personal space and enjoyment of your weekend.
- Keep Your Eye on the Prize
While they may be enjoying a relaxing weekend with family, successful people still have their mind’s eye on their ultimate goals. If you work your tail off five days a week to achieve the kind of success you dream of, you can’t slack on Saturday and Sunday. Keep your momentum strong, staying motivated throughout the weekend. Sitting in front of your Netflix queue for a few hours may help you unwind but if that’s what your entire weekend plan looks like, Monday will be hard.
- Give Back to Your Community
Volunteering in your own community not only enriches the lives of those you are helping, the work can do wonders for your own life. Helping someone less fortunate than yourself allows you to truly gain insight to your own priorities and goals. Research shows 73% of wealthy people volunteer regularly, putting in five or more hours each month helping others. Being involved with those in need of help locally can go a long way to reminding you of all you have to be grateful for in your own life. Gratitude is an essential part of finding happiness in life.
- Invest Time in a Personal Hobby
Spending time doing things you love will help you achieve happiness and success. Your focus cannot be on work and other people 24/7 without negative repercussions. Take time to do things you truly enjoy doing during the weekend. Whether it be gardening in the backyard, learning to play tennis, or painting pictures, engage yourself in things that matter to you personally. This outlet allows you to reap the benefits of personal satisfaction which carries over into other parts of your life. If your hobby is a social one, you also can enjoy the benefits of networking with people you may not have met otherwise which can contribute to your success down the line.
- Prepare for Monday
Part of your weekend plan should be preparing for the week ahead. If you always feel like you have a ‘case of the Mondays’, you’ll never look forward to one. Successful people hit the ground running on a Monday morning by using time over the weekend to prepare for the week ahead. Plan out your tasks and lay out your priorities for the upcoming week. Successful people are always ready for the next thing. Make your Monday mornings less stressful by having your clothes ready, your briefcase and keys by the door, and your lunch packed. Get the rest of the family on the same page so everyone can get out the door Monday morning without the usual hassle.
- Create New Traditions
Executives on the go during the week have made a habit of creating new traditions within their family to ensure connection and quality time are spent regardless of what else is going on. Consider new traditions your family will enjoy and make sure they happen as planned. Make every Saturday night a game or movie night. Set aside Sunday afternoons to cook with the family for the week ahead. By establishing a guaranteed ritual with those you love, everyone has something positive and fun to look forward to no matter what happens throughout the week.
Define Success Your Way
The definition of success differs from one person to the next. Many successful people define it as finding that crucial balance of happiness, health, and achievement. Those who have notably achieved great things throughout their life do not always define wealth and power as part of their own success. Rather they view success as being able to do what they want and enjoy living the life they have created for themselves. No matter what your definition of success is, always remember it is your definition which means the most. What is important to you should be at the forefront of your life during each week and throughout each weekend.
Stephen Covey, famed author of the book The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People, once said in a news article he believes success is truly defined by individuals. Covey suggested thinking about what you want to be said about you during your own funeral. This perspective will help you to understand what you identify with success. As you contemplate your priorities and assess what weekends are like now versus what they should be, remember you define your own success. Stay focused on the things that matter and not on keeping up with the Jones’. Celebrate all of the small successes as vibrantly as you celebrate the big ones. Continue growing through experience and wisdom on your own path of success.