While our weekday lives are filled with work, commuting, and family responsibilities, the weekends often feel like a time to relax or even be unproductive. Similarly, over the weekend, people tend to relax and do less productive things. People usually relax by playing games or watching TV shows. But there are better ways to spend your time than binge-watching YouTube videos because you can get so much more out of your weekend. If you’re returning to your desk next week and want to kickstart the week on a high note, then you should consider these:
Start the weekend right: minimize distractions.
The weekend is a time meant for relaxation and fun. Yet, it is also a time that relies heavily on being productive, which is why it is important to start it the right way. So, what should you do at the weekend? On Fridays, before you go to bed, write down a list of things that you need to do over the weekend. This should be done without distractions, and preferably, without any interruptions. Try to be as specific as possible. Furthermore, write the time at which you will do these tasks. This way, you will only have to think about one thing at a time. You can, of course, work from anywhere during the weekend, but it is best to have it planned out and organized beforehand before distractions take over. If you have time to spare, use it to read or relax. Don’t waste it by doing work that is not related to work.
Map out a plan for the next week
To a lot of people, the idea of mapping out a plan feels constricting. How can you possibly plan anything without knowing what the world will be like next week? Planning ahead can be liberating. It gives you the freedom to focus on things you care about, rather than on doing things that you don’t want to. And planning can give you more time to enjoy the things you want to do. The most productive people take a certain pleasure in planning. They know that planning frees them to think about the things that matter. By deciding in advance what they are going to work on, they can free up most of their mental energy for creative thought.
Learn a new skill
If you are not learning, you are almost certainly wasting your life. There are a million things you could do. You could learn to crochet, or play a musical instrument, or write a poem, or paint, or design websites. You could also learn a language. Most people give up on learning because they don’t see the immediate payoff. The payoff for learning new practical skills, however, usually comes much later. Learning a skill involves more than just copying the behavior. It involves mastering a particular way of thinking. It takes time, but it’s worth the effort. The payoff for learning new practical skills has another benefit. When you learn a new skill, you’re learning a new way of thinking: you’re learning about new patterns in the world, about new ways in which the world works, about new patterns in your behavior, and also new patterns in your thinking.
Do something you’ve always wanted to do
Sometimes, during a long, hard week, the best thing we can do for ourselves is to do something we’ve wanted to do for a long time. Some of the most rewarding things people do have nothing to do with money. They involved doing things that made them feel free, like biking, reading, writing, or learning to play music. Trying new things is good for you. If you don’t try new things, you miss opportunities to learn and to learn is good for you.
For example, if you’re afraid of heights, you can go hiking to experience the feeling. Even if it’s just a little scary, it’s still better than staying home.
Spend time with friends and family
Family and friends have always been a source of strength, companionship, and love in our lives. These relationships deserve a lot of time and attention. While it is important to accomplish things, you also need time to unwind, relax, and spend time with friends and family. Spending time with family and friends can be one of the best ways to be more productive. People tend to associate work more with friends and family. The time you spend with family can be discussing what you are going to do. If you have kids, you can discuss where to go, or what to eat. When you are with your friends, you can discuss work, and other stuff like movies, music, TV shows, etc.
What you should know…
Don’t think that doing nothing on the weekend is a reward. If you’re not going to be productive over the weekend, don’t allow yourself to relax either.
