It’s the beginning of the work week, which for most people means the end of the weekend’s rest and relaxation. However, there is no rest for success, so goes a poem from an American wordsmith Felix Lugo. Most successful people seem to already know this.
In a Forbes magazine article, journalist Jacquelyn Smith in 2013, interviewed successful business leaders to get an insight on what they do after their week is done.
Smith notes that highly successful people are very focused on what they want to be doing, and that their weekend and the week look very similar.
“They are focused on creating the life they want,” Smith says.
Here are tips you can incorporate into your after hours:
1. Successful people pursue a passion
Spencer Rascoff, the chief executive of real estate information site Zillow, in the interview says his weekend routine has everything to do with maintaining his success as he is passionate about what he does, even if it means checking his emails on weekends.
“My weekends are an important time to unplug from the day-to-day and get a chance to think more deeply about my company and my industry,” Rascoff says. “Even when I’m technically not working, I’m always processing in the background and thinking about the company.”
2. Successful people exercise for mental strength
Author Laura Vanderkam says successful people know that weekends are actually the secret weapon in professional success.
“Everyone needs to exercise. You need to hit Monday ready to go,” Vanderkam says.
“To do that, you need weekends that rejuvenate you, rather than exhaust or disappoint you.
Vanderkam adds that if you can’t work out four to five days during the work week, you need to be active on weekends to make up for some of that time. “It’s the perfect opportunity to clear your mind and create fresh ideas,” she says.
3. Successful people network even on vacation
“Networking isn’t an event for a successful person, it’s a lifestyle,” says Penelope Trunk, a career coach and author. “Wherever they go and whatever they do, they manage to connect with new people.”
4. Successful people reflect on their success
Marsha Egan, a business leader coach and author, says truly successful people make time on weekends to appreciate what they have and reflect on their happiness and accomplishments. As Rascoff said: “Weekends are a great chance to reflect and be more introspective about bigger issues.”
5. Successful people recharge to begin anew
We live in a competitive world, Vanderkam says. “Peak performance requires managing downtime, too–with the goal of really recharging your batteries.”
That’s how the most successful people get so much done.
