We're heading into a holiday weekend, and most successful people
have planned out (or at least thought about) what they'll do over the next
three days.
"Successful people recognize how important it is to take
advantage of a long weekend to refuel their passions and recharge their
batteries," says Michael Kerr, an international business speakerand
author of "The Humor Advantage."
They work extra hard the days leading up to the three-day
weekend in order to maximize their leisure time, adds Lynn Taylor, a national
workplace expert and the author of "Tame Your Terrible Office Tyrant: How to Manage Childish Boss
Behavior and Thrive in Your Job."
They also compartmentalize any work-related tasks that slip into
their three-day weekends, separating them from their coveted leisure time.
"They know that if the two blend into each other, they'll likely feel
cheated afterward," she says.
Planning ahead for a three-day weekend is important because you
don't want to squander the relatively rare opportunity to decompress from the
office.
Taylor explains: "These extended weekends are different
from the regular weekend because you know you have extra time to relax, tie up
loose ends personally, catch up with important people in your life, or get
ahead on a project. And time is a nonrenewable resource. How you spend it
should be consistent with what you need to accomplish short- and long-term to
be content."
Not sure how to make the most of the next 72 hours? We've got
some ideas.
Here are 14 things successful people do before and over
three-day weekends:
1. They plan ahead
Many successful people plan out their activities for the holiday
weekend well in advance so that they are not drawn into the temptation of
working, Kerr says. They make reservations, book tee times, or schedule
activities with their kids.
Taylor adds: "They're strategic enough to have an action
plan for the three-day weekend, but flexible enough to tackle any urgent work
issues that may arise."
2. They prepare at work
"Most of what they do happens before they leave for a long
weekend so that they are psychologically free to relax and enjoy it," Kerr
says.
This includes saying proper goodbyes to colleagues, cleaning up
their office, finishing any pressing tasks, and creating a clear plan of action
for when they return to the office so they can hit the ground running.
3. They set technology guidelines
Successful people set email and phone rules for themselves and
the people they work with, so that people understand when, if at all, they will
be available to respond or pick up.
"This can communicate to employees how critical it is for
everyone to take a complete break, and that any and all work can wait,"
Kerr explains. "Although employees may assume this, they often need to
hear it from their leader to be able to completely relax over a long
weekend."
4. They do a little bit of nothing
"With the breakneck pace of business all week long, many
successful people do plan — but sometimes those plans include
a little bit of nothing," Taylor says. "The workweek is about
deadlines and meetings, so successful people enjoy having a block of time, or a
day, to be uncommitted and unscheduled."
5. They spend time with family
and friends
During the week, it's hard to give focused attention to those
you care about. "A three-day weekend lets you schedule this critical
quality time," Taylor says.
6. They volunteer
Many successful people find giving their time to worthy
charitable groups or causes to be extremely rewarding.
7. They plan 'staycations' or quick weekend getaways
"Some successful people plan a mini vacation in their own
backyard," Kerr says. "Staycations hold the appeal of still allowing
for a complete mental break but without the added stress or planning involved
in a trip somewhere away, wherein people run the risk of returning to work more
exhausted than when they left."
Another good option: Taking a short trip to a destination that
only an hour or two away. This is a great way to visit a new place, but doesn't
require too much travel or planning.
8. They get outdoors and enjoy
nature
A long weekend is the perfect time to get outside and breathe
fresh air, especially after being relatively sequestered inside all week,
Taylor explains.
It doesn't matter if it's January or July — take advantage of
the great outdoors.
9. They exercise
Successful people understand how important exercise is to their
physical and mental health — so they don't get lazy and skip their workouts
over holiday weekends.
10. They engage in an activity that supports their passion
"This is a great time to unwind with your favorite pastime
or hobby, whether it's shopping, golfing, socializing, reading, painting, or
something else," Taylor says. Do the things that make you happy; the
things you don't always have time for during the week or over a regular two-day
weekend.
11. They don't think about work
This is a big challenge for a lot of us — but the most
successful people don't stress about that upcoming presentation, or that
missed deadline from the previous week. Instead, they focus on enjoying
whatever it is they're doing now.
12. They recharge
We all need to rest and recharge our batteries from time to
time. Successful people use three-day weekends to do this.
They do make plans and stay active — but they
also make sure to catch up on sleep and schedule some free time at the end of
the weekend to unwind.
13. They sometimes switch days
off
Some successful people will take a different day off instead,
and go in to work on the vacation day when they have the office to
themselves and can get more work done without being distracted, Kerr explains.
"If you have the luxury of being able to do this it can be
a double win — participating in personal activities when it's quieter and
getting more work accomplished at the same time."
14. They think ahead
On the last night of long weekends, many successful people think
about the short week ahead and key goals they need to accomplish, Taylor says.
And they do this without stressing themselves out.
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