8 Weekend Habits Successful People Always Follow
It all comes down to one word: balance.
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You may imagine the weekends of ultra successful people to be all about optimization: of sleep, food, finances and more. But while smart habits are the calling card of the most productive, successful people rarely go full-throttle on the weekend. In fact, as success coach and speaker Maria Conigliaro shares, the most successful people she knows don’t spend their weekends hustling. Instead, “they create space and time to connect with their mind, body and heart,” she says.
However, you shouldn’t stop your good habits altogether on the weekend, either. Success and slow living coach Stephanie O’Dea, author of Slow Living: Cultivating a Life of Purpose in a Hustle-Driven World, says that if you create systems that work for your time management, health, finances and relationships, there is no need to pause these systems for 48 hours every week.
It's all about striking a balance between resting and maintaining optimal habits — here's how the most successful people manage their weekends.
Make a plan
O’Dea says that while it may be tempting to become “one with the couch” or leave two days wide open, having some structure — even if part of it is planned relaxation — will help you feel great once Sunday night rolls around.
“This doesn’t mean you have to be 'productive' in the traditional sense. But think about the balance that will make you feel fulfilled, and plan accordingly,” she adds.
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Don't be afraid to say “no”
Do you find that your weekends fill up with things you’d rather not do? If you find that you are consistently saying “yes” to things you’d prefer to skip, pay attention, says O’Dea.
It’s a lot more fun to do things you want to do instead of things you are agreeing to out of obligation. This way, you’ll have more time available to take a breath and align yourself with things that are fulfilling.
Stay focused on your vision
Your vision for your life shouldn’t be shelved during weekends. “Successful people know where they are headed, and continue to keep this in mind even on the weekend,” says O’Dea.
She says that you can use the weekend to clarify your vision: Where do you see your health in 10 years? How about your finances? What do your relationships look like? Use weekend downtime to think through these questions, or continue to work on already-established goals in bite-sized chunks.
Do a “brain dump”
If you get to the weekend and feel stalled or overwhelmed, try a “brain dump” to get everything out. It will help you feel less stressed for the week ahead.
Conigliaro says that a brain dump can be done through writing, typing or sketching — the idea is to get it all out so you can untangle any self-limiting thoughts that have piled up.
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Enjoy your hobbies
Doing your favorite hobbies on the weekend can feel both calming and productive. Try to have two main hobbies: one for your body, and one for your brain, O’Dea recommends. Both kinds can improve your wellbeing.
Need some inspiration? Richard Branson enjoys playing chess, and Nicole Kidman likes to get out and do some gardening.
Make a 'feel good' list
Make a list of things that boost your mood and aim to do as many as you feasibly can on the weekend. You can keep this list handy and refer to it every weekend, since an improved mood lends itself to increased success, according to research.
Your list can include activities like sitting in the sun, dancing to a favorite song, buying yourself fresh flowers or putting on bright lipstick, Conigliaro says.
Connect with others
Use your weekend to spend time with those who give you a lift and make you feel your best. You’ll feel more empowered to tackle your goals when you’re around people who truly believe in you, and the weekend is the perfect time to reconnect. Grab a Sunday brunch together, chat online or go old-school and pick up the phone.
Refill your energy bucket
Conigliaro says that it’s important to ask yourself what fills your “energy bucket,” or your capacity to take on mental, physical and emotional challenges. Spend time on the weekend filling that bucket by getting in some extra sleep, soaking up nature or savoring solitude if being around others burns you out.
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