Weekend Checklist for Millennials

Friday is one of the most anticipated days of the week and I'm sure you can guess why. For some people, it's payday, the last work day of the week, and also the beginning of a weekend filled with fun and relaxation.

While many of us may want to relax in bed, and enjoy happy hours all weekend, the success that you may be wishing for is probably interrupted by your weekend activities. 

I'm sure we all know of that one person that is the epitome of success and we wonder how we can get on their level. The main thing that separates successful people from the others is what they do with their time in the office and outside of the office. 

Here are the top things that successful people do on the weekend that you should be doing. 

 1. They don't sleep in

Sometimes it seems like there are not enough hours in the day and successful people understand this so they don't sleep their mornings away. For 15 years, Starbucks President Michelle Gaas set her alarm for 4:30 a.m. to go running. Square CEO Jack Dorsey once revealed that he wakes up at 5:30 am to meditate and go for a six-mile jog. Disney CEO Bob Iger gets up before 6:00 am to do a number of things; he reads the paper, exercises, listens to music, and even has time to watch his favorite TV show before catching breakfast and enjoying a productive Saturday. What does this tell you? Getting up early on the weekends allows you to allocate more time towards your day, teaches you discipline, and perfects your time management skills.

2. They stay fit

Successful people know the advantages of having an active mind and body, even on the weekends. Working out during the week is great, but working out on the weekend will give you more discipline, and it will make you feel less worried about the wine you will indulge in later that night. In addition, the calories that you'll burn, the muscles that you'll build, and the improvements that working out can deliver will boost your confidence and make you feel better.

3. They make time for family and friends

Successful people understand that all work and no play is not the way to go, and they understand the importance of building and sustaining relationships. When you spend time with your loved ones, it can relax your mind, and it can help you maintain the relationships with people that mean the most.

4. They indulge in hobbies

Successful people understand the benefits of engaging in activities that they enjoy. Whether that is painting, traveling, going to the movie theater, or going swimming, they make time to do the things that they love. 

5. They clean up during the week

Most people use the weekend to catch up on chores and this is the worst thing to do. Create a weekly schedule and clean during the week. Whether that is cleaning the bathroom on Tuesdays, and dusting the furniture on Wednesdays, dedicating your cleaning days to the week will give you the weekend that you need and deserve.

6. They volunteer their time

In Tim Corley's book “Wealthy Habits: The Daily Success Habits of Wealthy Individuals," he found that 73% of wealthy people volunteer for five or more hours per month. Giving back relieves stress and it keeps you focused. Weekends are a great time to volunteer in your local community, and to meet other people.

7. They relax and reflect

Ever since I was a little girl, I always told myself that I would dedicate at least 30 minutes to myself. Being a girly girl that is obsessed with bubble baths, my "me" time was spent while soaking in bubbles. I personally see the value of dedicating 30 minutes to yourself every single day, especially on the weekends. Many times, we are so caught up in our careers, other people, and the world that we don't stop to relax and truly reflect. During my 30 minute bath time, I like to relax my mind and just think about ME and what I have going on. Sometimes I may listen to music during this time, but I find it more effective to listen to my own thoughts. During this time of relaxation and reflection, it is also the perfect moment to think about your week ahead, what goals you want to accomplish, and how you can be more productive.

Aristotle said it best, "We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then is not an act, but a habit." Be consistent, and follow the rules above to be on the path to your destined success. There are countless of successful people that do the exact things above so incorporating some of these strategies in your weekend can improve your abilities, your mindset, expand your network, and increase your success in and out of the workplace.

@brittanilhunter