One of the topics that we did not have time to cover was – “What about weekends?”
Here is an area where I would be “burned at the stake” by many traditional time management teachers. Let me give you a few things to think about and then I’ll tell you my strategy for the weekends.
- You already know that I advise you not to schedule more than 80% of your day. I hold a similar philosophy towards the weekend. I think a “catch up” day is a good thing for your mind and body. Many cultures have incorporated a day of rest into their daily lives.
- What is “work” for some is “play” to another. Today I will be designing CD covers for my sleep audios. Some do this for a living and would definitely see that as work. I look at this as “play” because I get to express myself. If you are looking forward to doing something it usually doesn’t feel like work!
- How much time did you have during the week for the things that were “important” to you? If you are one of those who have the “good problem” of having too many hours already committed during the week – productive use of some or all of the weekend is very important to get you where you want to go.
- You have begun an important habit – routinely planning time for you in your day with a daily strategy sheet. Habits need maintenance.
- Remember that the mind doesn’t like unresolved issues. You’ll relax and sleep better with a plan before you go into the weekend. Monday won’t be as dreadful, either.
With those ideas as a background, here is what I do on the weekends:
- I schedule Saturday and Monday before I “quit for the day” on Friday. Sunday I might use a “to do” list.. If there is a special event on Saturday I may skip Saturday and schedule Sunday instead.
- I let my family in on what I’m doing on Saturday so they’ll know when I’m available. Depending on what is happening with the family I might not schedule as many hours as during a weekday. This may take some negotiating.
- I try to schedule creative tasks or tasks that require longer time blocks on my weekend.
Using this approach I don’t skip two days of planning my day, I usually get at least one interesting project done a weekend, my family isn’t neglected, and my mind gets a mini-vacation.
I would love to hear how you approach the weekends.
Jim
“We can’t all be lucky, but we can all be successful.”
