Long weekends always seem to go quickly, but there are at least 24 additional hours, and utilizing the extra time in long weekends helps successful professionals get ahead. Smart workers know when they need to relax and recharge, when they need to power through and work, and when a weekend needs to be a mix of both. Not sure how to use a long weekend productively? Here are a few ways to utilize your long weekend:
1. Plan Ahead
People who get the most out of their long weekends consider their work schedules a week or two week before so they can utilize the long weekend however they choose. Sometimes there must be a mix of business and pleasure, but that takes planning too. Smart workers know when they are most productive and schedule time to work when they are focused and efficient, and schedule time to relax when they are tired and distracted. They also prioritize which tasks need to be done before the weekend arrives, and which tasks can be completed during the weekend but won’t monopolize it.
2. Take Time To Recharge
Everyone needs to decompress. Sometimes it is more productive to take time to relax and recharge than it is to keep working. Part of becoming a smart professional is understanding yourself and your business: know when to keep pushing and when to take a break.
3. Get Away From Screens
One way to recharge and refocus is to decrease your screen time on a long weekend. Too much screen time strains your eyes, negatively impacts your quality of sleep and is bad for your mental health. Use the additional hours to get outside, do some outdoor activities, spend time with loved ones, catch up on sleep, etc. Taking time away from screens will help you recharge and recuperate fully and effectively.
4. Read
Recently, a speaker at Columbia Business School was asked by a student how to prepare for an investing career. “Read 500 pages like this every day,” the speaker said while pointing to a stack of manuals and papers. “That’s how knowledge works, it’s like compound interest. All of you can do it, but I guarantee not many of you will do it.”
5. Reflect and Evaluate
Successful people allot time to sit and assess their performance and how they can improve. A Harvard study found that people who sat for 15 minutes at the end of the day and thought about the lessons they learned performed 23% better than those who didn’t. Reflect on your performance every day, week, month, etc. and contemplate how you can improve your day-to-day performance and what you can do every day, week etc. to progress on your long-term goals and to become a more productive professional.
Source:Forbes.com
