Jacquelyn SmithMay 23, 2014, 12:26 PM70,5143facebooklinkedintwittergoogle+Didriks/flickrSuccessful people spend time with family and friends over long weekends.Were heading into a holiday weekend — and most successful people have planned out (or at least thought about) what theyll do over the next three days.Successful people recognize how important it is to take advantage of a long weekend to refuel theirpassions and recharge their batteries, says Michael Kerr, an international business speaker and author of YouCant Be Serious! Putting Humor to Work.They work extra hard the days leading up to the three-day weekend in orderto maximize their leisure time, adds Lynn Taylor, a national workplace expert and the author of Tame Your Terrible Office Tyrant: How to Manage Childish Boss Behavior and Thrive in Your Job. They also compartmentalize any work-related tasks that slipinto their three-day weekends, separating themfrom their coveted leisure time. They know that if thetwo blend into each other, theyll likely feel cheated afterward, she says.Planning ahead for a three-day weekend is important because you dont want to squander the relatively rareopportunity to decompress from the office. Taylor explains: These extended weekends are different from the regular weekend because you know you have extra time to relax, tie up loose ends personally, catch up with important people in your life, or get ahead on a project. And time is a non-renewable resource. How you spend itshould be consistent with what you need to accomplish short- and long-term to be content.Not sure how to make the most of the next 72 hours? Weve got some ideas.Here are 12 things successful people do over three-day weekends:1. They prepare at work.Most of what they do happens before they leave for a long weekend so that they are psychologically free to relax and enjoy it, Kerr says. This includes saying proper goodbyes to colleagues, cleaning up their office, finishing any pressing tasks, and creating a clear plan of action for when they return on Tuesday morning so they can hit the ground running.2. They plan ahead.Many successful people plan out their activities for the holiday weekend well in advance so that they are not drawn into the temptation of working, Kerrsays.Taylor adds: Theyre strategic enough to have an action plan for the three-day weekend, but flexible enough to tackle any urgent work issues that may arise.3. They set technology guidelines.Successful people set email and phonerules for themselves and the people they work with, so that people understand when, if at all, they will be available to respond or pickup.This can communicate to employees how critical it is for everyone to take a complete break, and that any and all work can wait, Kerr explains. Although employees may assume this, they often need to hearit from their leader to be able to completely relax over a long weekend.4. They do a little bit of nothing.With the breakneck pace of business all week long, many successful peopledoplan — but sometimes those plans include a little bit of nothing, Taylor says.The workweek is about deadlines and meetings, sosuccessful people enjoy having a block of time, or a day, to be uncommitted and unscheduled.5. They spend time with family and friends.During the week, its hard to give focused attention to those you care about. A three-day weekend lets you schedule this critical quality time, Taylor says.6. They volunteer.Many successful people find giving their time to worthy charitable groups or causes to be extremely rewarding.7. They plan staycations.Some successful people plan a mini vacation in theirown backyard, Kerr says.Staycations hold the appeal of still allowing for acomplete mental break but without the added stress orplanning involved in a trip somewhere away, wherein people run the risk of returning to work more exhausted than when they left.Another good option:Taking a short trip to a destination that only an hour or two away. This is a great way to visit a new place, but doesnt require too much travel or planning.8. They get outdoors and enjoy nature.A long weekend is the perfect timeto get outside and breathe fresh air, especially after being relatively sequestered inside all week, Taylor explains.9. They exercise.Successful people understand how important exercise is to their physical and mental health — so they dont get lazy and skiptheir workouts over holidayweekends.10. They engage in an activity that supports their passion.This is a great time to unwind with your favorite pastime or hobby, whether its shopping, golfing, socializing, reading,painting, or something else, Taylor says.11. They sometimes switchdays off.Some successful people will take a different day off instead, and go in towork on the vacation day when they have the office to the themselves and can get more work done without being distracted, Kerr explains. If you have the luxury of being able to do this it can be a double win — participating in personal activities when itsquieter, and getting more work accomplished at the same time.12. They think ahead.On the last night of long weekend, many successful people think about the short week ahead and key goals they need to accomplish, Taylor says. And they do this without
Posted on: Sat, 30 Aug 2014 17:03:38 +0000
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