How Weekends Should be Spent

I came across an article on Forbes the other day about how successful people spend (or should be spending) their weekends by Jacquelyn Smith. The article cited the example of Spencer Rascoff who only at the age of 37 has co-founded Hotwire.com and served as a VP for Expedia; he held the roles of CFO, vice president of marketing and COO at Zillow; and in 2008, Rascoff was promoted to chief executive of the popular real estate information site. The secret behind Rascoff's ability to achieve so much and so quickly is explained thus by him, “My weekends are an important time to unplug from the day-to-day and get a chance to think more deeply about my company and my industry,” Rascoff says. “Even when I’m technically not working, I’m always processing in the background and thinking about the company. Weekends are a great chance to reflect and be more introspective about bigger issues.” 


In this tough and competitive world, it has become crucial to make the most of every minute. Weekends are too important to be lost on TV or technology. And there is a way to do it. As Penelope Trunk, an executive coach and author says “A highly successful person is very focused on what they want to be doing. The weekend and the week look very similar: They are focused on creating the life they want." Laura Vanderkam has shown just how to do it in her book What the Most Successful Do on Weekends. Here are somethings she mentions that caught my attention. 
We know just how impossible it seems for us to work out this body of ours on weekdays. No time even to breathe. Puff. However, it is very doable to take out 2 hours from our weekends for a workout. It can be anything from cycling to gymming, jogging to even walking. For all you know, a walk in the park can help spark new ideas and set the ball rolling your way. In fact this is exactly what a PR firm owner does by taking his dog out to walk with him every day. He says that it helps him to think of fresh ideas to pitch clients, consider what angle to take with the press for a certain story and so on. 

Also a good weekend idea is meditation which can provide a much needed breather in this stress-smoking world. Helps you get that edge while the rest are struggling for that calm state of things and mind. Join a class or try the same at home.

Then there is socializing for which there is hardly any time on weekdays. So important to keep in touch with the friends we don't often get to interact with. Consider going out with friends and family and spending more time with them. Vanderman says, "You need weekends that rejuvenate you, rather than exhaust or disappoint you. Cross-training makes you a better athlete, and likewise, exercise, volunteer work, spiritual activities, and hands-on parenting make you a better worker than if you just worked all the time.” 

Planning is another important thing to do. You want to hit Monday all set. “Planning makes people more effective, and doing it before the week starts means you can hit Monday ready to go, and means you’ll give clear directions to the people who work for you, so they will be ready to go, too,” Vanderkam says. Trunk agrees. She says successful people plan their month and year because “if you get stuck on short-term lists you don’t get anything big accomplished.” 

Consider Vacationing. Nothing like a getaway to give you an escape from the daily grind of work. 

Disconnect and take a tech-sabbath. Try staying away from that phone or email inbox for a day. If not entirely then at least for the most part. Apparently, it gives us a chance to reflect on bigger things. Things not always possible to think of peacefully on weekdays.

Avoid getting stuck in the whirlpool of daily chores. Try keeping weekends more for recreating yourself than making yourself run around. It is not always possible, of course, considering how we hardly get the time to transact outside tasks on weekdays, but it's worth a shot.

Also try any of the following things that you naturally like: Gardening/crafts/games/sports/cooking/or cultural activities. I find sports a brilliant option as not only does it involve physical activity but a much needed break from being stuck on weekends in the four corners of the office walls. Consider hitting the theatre, movie hall or a sports event. You will hit Monday all refreshed.

Finally pursue a passion. It could be anything from writing to painting to playing a musical instrument. Just about anything that you feel connected to. Your passions can take you to unexpected places sometimes. Mostly good. 

So there you have it. That was my pick from the things to do on weekends. Your turn!