Three Reasons Working Weekends Might Be Good for You... And How To Make It Mean Something To Your Life

I’ve got a successful advertising agency that is known for quadrupling ROI, with a couple of dozen people working there (no, not on weekends). I’ve also got a beautiful girlfriend who deserves my time and attention, and between us, we have 5 kids who need our time, energy and money.

Often, I find myself working on the weekends if not just to keep all the plates spinning, but because it actually decreases my stress by letting me stay ahead of things I know are coming up. I also find that I can be more engaged when it’s time to "not work" by using some weekend time.

Here’s a discussion starter for us all. Weekend work or not? What do you think? Are weekends sacred or are the days of the week what we make of them?

Work is an integral part of our adult lives, even though some choose to trust work will not impact their personal lives whatsoever - I must disagree. Work identifies an integral part of who we are - using what we do for work, whenever we work and the quantity of energy, enthusiasm (or not) we place into work impacting our overall lives, as well.

Keeping this at heart, those individuals working weekends tend to be doing this because they haven't any choice. Yet a lot of people choose to work weekends for many other reasons – including that the reality they actually get some intrinsic benefit from the work they are doing. As it works out, working weekends does not have to be as bad it might seem, particularly if you embrace these three tips.

1. Finding That Balance Between Work & Play Is Key - Or Is It A Myth?

Lives nowadays are not powered by a normal 9 to 5 routine anymore. With technology rendering it practically impossible to "escape" from work, employees and companies alike may easily perform business from practically anywhere whenever. While there are a few exclusions - such as work that must definitely be done onsite at a certain location or careers that demand a team, face-to-face work - most experts can work from your home or an office. The main element, however, is to make a balance in your daily life that allows anyone to live a life they want to.

Are professional networking activities on your top priority list? How about being home whenever your kids get off the bus? Maybe you want to work with a personal trainer in the middle of the day? Pursing an advanced degree? Whatever your ideal situation is for Mon through Fri, consider ways to perfectly make it possible if you're inclined to also work weekends because of this.

Many employees are happy working forty hours through the traditional five day work week, however increasingly more folks have found a five day work week just isn't ideal. Instead, maybe working one day on the weekend gives you the ability to do other things during the week. Also, for better or worse, work demands that we spend some time “catching up” on the weekends, with emails, paperwork, etc.

2. Manage “Your Time” To Create A Real Life Balance 

A number of years ago, I worked 7 days a week, for many hours a day. I got a lot done for the company I worked for and made them a LOT of money. My relationships suffered. I was the most miserable person in the world. It took me putting real limits on my time to become a "recovering workaholic". I still struggle with this today, but it's gotten better.

If you're the person who works anytime, any day, the whole day... then you understand all too well a time period limit may be what’s needed to stop you from only getting work done and not really living.

Whether it's a partner, children, friends, family or even just yourself, setting time restrictions to as it pertains to focusing on weekends will let you achieve overall personal enjoyment. Using myself, for example, I try to work a few hours every Sunday... despite any cultural activities, child agendas or home tasks I have to get done.

I start most weeks with a set list of tasks that are on my plate. However, my weekly life of kids and others sometimes means working some on a weekend to complete everything I wish to.

Whatever your realities are, consider how time controls can help to keep you centered on all that you would like to perform - both professionally and personally.

3. Make the Most of Your Mid-Week Life to Balance Your Weekend Work

When you understand weekend work should have a real focus on your to-do-list, it is important to make certain your Mon through Friday is not only used for important work as well.

As mentioned before, the 9 to 5 work week isn't typical for many professions and instead, some will work up to 7 days per week and considerably beyond the original 40 time that's expected.

Even though 40 plus hours are on your plan during any given week, it's still important to provide yourself personal time. From training, hanging out with family members, participating in cultural activities and being involved with community or charity based mostly activities, getting from work, is very important to yourself, also for your business production.

In Conclusion

When you embrace that work is part of your lifestyle, it only makes sense that working weekends is also part of your life. How you manage your work schedule all week long changes your overall professional and personal balance - even including how your weekends look – will impact your overall life balance to put you in control.

And for those professionals who hold weekend sacred? Good for you. Finding balance - especially if it means not working weekends is an excellent strategy that can potentially increase your weekly day-to-day work. 

What do you think? What works for you?