7 things successful people do over the weekend

Perhaps you picture financially successful people jetting off to Ibiza for the weekend. Or maybe the truly accomplished spend their free time writing novels over Sunday brunch? Whatever your vision of success, the time the weekend offers is valuable to everyone—and some of us are definitely squandering it. Let's explore a few simple ways you can spend the weekend time to become the best version of yourself.

Unplug

Successful people finish their tasks, then leave work behind. Stress from work can eat into your weekend if you let it, rendering the time useless. There’s nothing worse than an unfinished task gnawing at you or work emails reminding you what you need to do once Monday rolls around. If you set clear work-life boundaries, especially with your tasks and tech, it will result in fewer nuisances over the weekend and a better focus during actual work hours. Really, ask yourself—can’t this email wait until Monday?

Rest

Believe it or not, successful people do have downtime. No one can run with all cylinders firing all the time; if you tried, you would burn out quickly. Successful people are good at scheduling themselves during the work day, which includes scheduling break time. Maximizing a successful weekend means taking that time to recover from the work week. Whether it’s in the form of meditation exercises, getting lost in a good book, or simply getting a couple good nights of sleep, prioritizing rest helps you recharge for the week to come.

Challenge yourself

Why not run the extra mile? Exercise is just as important for the mind as it is for the body. As with rest, you maximize your potential when your body and brain get a boost from physical fitness. But a successful person might take it up a notch beyond the stationary bike at the gym. They challenge themselves to go further: hike a mountain, train for a triathlon, take up kickboxing, or simply try something new they’ve never done before. When exercise is about striving towards a goal or making new discoveries, it fosters the kind of dynamism that make successful people excel.

Develop other talents

Successful people can possess a laser-like focus on their goals, but highly successful people don’t just excel in their field; they likely have talents in other areas. Diversifying is not just for the financial portfolio. Art, music, or learning a foreign language helps you to challenge yourself mentally and to develop a healthier, balanced brain. The drive that helps you succeed can be used to help you find fulfillment and harness talent in other aspects of life.

Savor

On the weekend, successful people make the most of their time—not by filling every second with action, but by enjoying what you can while you can. It’s the difference between savoring the flavor of coffee vs. guzzling it down like diesel fuel. Making the most of the seasons, getting outdoors, and enjoying family time are important ways to recharge over the weekend.

Let the back-burner work

Sometimes your best ideas come to you when you’re not actively working. Innovation can be brewing in the back of your mind while you're busy cultivating a life outside of work. Successful people are on the lookout for those ideas, ready to capture them—which means taking time away from the grind.

Plan out the weekend

So how do you rest, challenge yourself, develop a new talent, unplug, and spend family time all in one weekend? It’s no secret that successful people plan out the hours of their work day to meet goals efficiently. Why wouldn’t they plan the weekend too? If you’re torn between weekend goals, planning recreational activities ahead of time helps you get the most out of the day. Just remember: the planning shouldn’t be stressful. The most successful weekend is the one you enjoy.