Getting More from Your Weekend

Fridays bring an air of excitement to most workplaces as employees anticipate their weekend plans. Yet somehow when Monday rolls around, many workers feel unsatisfied. One of the main reasons for discontent is failure to decide what they really want to get out of the time off. While goal setting may sound contrary to the idea of relaxation, it actually can help ensure that personal happiness doesn’t get lost in the shuffle.

Try writing down two pleasurable things you’d like to do over the weekend. Perhaps you’d love an hour to soak in the tub with a good book, a half-hour nap, or a long walk with your pooch. Physically add the activities to your calendar. Giving them a scheduled time will help other things from encroaching. Be sure to notify others in your household that you will be unavailable during these blocked out periods, just as you would for any appointment.

The same technique can be used to accomplish chores. Decide what two things most need to be accomplished and schedule them. Regardless of what else gets done, you’ll feel the satisfaction of having finished the most important tasks.

Think there is no way you can carve out time for what you want to do? Consider these ways to add more hours to the weekend:

• Check email and phone messages only once per day (or not at all, if you’re really feeling bold).

• Don’t assume all household duties – ask (or assign) other family members to help.

• Only watch TV shows you really like. Mindless watching takes time away from doing things that will actually leave you feeling fulfilled.

• Refrain from overbooking your children. You shouldn’t feel like a taxi driver, and unstructured time can enhance their creativity and lower their stress.

Image courtesy of Thinkstock/Medioimages/Photodisc