Be a Weekend Pro: How to Master Your Days Off
Before we get started, I want to add a disclaimer.
Being a weekend pro is not about squeezing out every moment of your days off to maximize productivity.
Being a weekend pro is not about packing your schedule to the brim as a final attempt to finally mark every item off your to-do list.
Quite the opposite.
Being a weekend pro is about ensuring you give yourself the time you need to relax and recharge and make space for things that bring you joy.
Being a weekend pro is about tapping into these valuable days off to create and build a life you love and are passionate about.
So, with this in mind…
Are you making the most out of your weekend?
Or are you regularly finding yourself on Sunday night thinking: “Where did the weekend go? I’m not recharged. I was ‘busy’. But I didn’t even make progress on any projects or goals.”
Not to fear.
You can easily become a weekend pro with a little planning, and, yes, a little time management.
Keep it Structured
You may look at the weekend as a chance to finally escape the structure of the weekdays.
I totally get it. But this seemingly innocent desire may not really be serving you.
Without a plan, you can easily lose the weekend to chores or puttering. And quickly find yourself back to a Sunday evening full of disappointment.
Having a plan in place can help you avoid a wasted or draining weekend. Instead, you can decide exactly what you want from your weekend. Then, make it happen.
What does this look like?
Create a to-do list of outcomes you want for your weekend
Set a goal for the weekend
Timebox and schedule your weekend calendar just like you would your weekdays
The tasks you’re planning for will probably look a little different than your regular weekdays (i.e. more dog walks and naps than a Tuesday afternoon might afford.) But the structure will put you into weekend pro status by organizing all the building blocks to create exactly what you need to feel recharged and at peace when it’s time to start the week again.
Schedule Leisure Time
As you pull out the schedule for your weekend, your number one priority?
Leisure!
Just because you’re keeping the weekend “structured”, doesn’t mean leaning into a hustle mentality.
Instead, schedule your leisure time first. This leisure time should support whatever you need to end the weekend feeling refreshed. Once you’ve ensured you have those pieces in place, you can add other activities from there.
What does this look like?
Start any activities later in the day so you can sleep in
Plan an afternoon nap (apparently I have sleep on the brain…)
Schedule a couple of hours to lose yourself in a great book
Coordinate a morning hike with your friends or dog to reconnect with nature
There are many different flavors for this leisure time. The point is to consciously schedule it. Make it the top priority as part of becoming a weekend pro.
Schedule Anchor Events
Choose one fun activity (an “anchor event”) for the weekend that you can look forward to all week.
I like this approach for a couple of reasons.
First, having a fun activity each weekend can feed little burst of excitement throughout the week when your thoughts drift to what you have to look forward to.
Second, this is another great strategy to help you feel like you mastered each weekend. Because no matter what, you got to experience at least one fun thing as part of an amazing life. Weekend pro status for sure.
What does this look like?
Brunch at a new restaurant
3 hours of Netflix binging with no distractions
Concert with friends
Mani/pedi spa day
Choose an activity you are genuinely excited about and put it on the schedule. Every weekend. Then enjoy the excitement going through the week leading up to this, enjoy the hell out of the activity when the time comes, and bask in the Sunday evening gratitude after a well-spent weekend.
Make Progress Towards a Goal
If you’re working hard at your career, you may not have a lot of time during your weekdays to pursue a passion or focus on other goals.
The weekend can be a perfect time to shift the balance.
Think through your current goals and choose a small action or two that will move you forward. Then add them to your weekend schedule.
What does this look like:
Write an outline for the next chapter of your novel
Spend more time on self-care by scheduling a massage
Focus on your health and fitness by planning a longer workout and meal prep
Watch an hour of the latest course you purchased that’s been collecting digital dust
Small action. Big action. It doesn’t matter. The point is to build momentum. These small chunks of action add up over time so you can start seeing huge results from a few mastered weekends.
Time management techniques are not just for navigating a hectic corporate meeting schedule and client deadlines while still trying to sit down to a homemade meal every weekday.
Time management is truly about taking control of your time to create a life you love with space to chase your passions.
When you’re a weekend pro, this time becomes a valuable tool for building this complete picture.
How will you master your next weekend?
Are you tired of feeling overwhelmed? Do you feel like there are always important tasks left undone, hanging over your head? It's time to take control of your productivity and prove to yourself you can accomplish anything you put your mind to.
Check out the 7 Days: Consider it Done! guide to transform the way you approach your to-do list.
Say goodbye to procrastination and unfulfilled goals and hello to a sense of control and reignited passion for life. Consider it done!
