10 Things Exceptionally Successful Do on the Weekends

Article by Casey Imafidon

It is one thing to be successful, but it is another thing to beexceptionally successful. To attain such a high level of success, you have to be willing to put in the work. The theme of the modern-day careerist is this: How do you get more done in less time?

While a lot of people see the weekend as a time to hang out and relax, exceptionally successful people have a different idea of how Saturdays and Sundays should be spent. Here is how they spend their weekends to set the tone for a week of crazy productivity:

1. They Wake Up Early

Apple CEO Tim Cook is said to wake up at 3:45 every morning – including on weekends. It is wrong to assume that you need to stay in bed until midday because it’s the weekend. Successful people know time is precious and shouldn’t be wasted, no matter what day it is.

2. They Read

You cannot negate the power of reading. Eimantas Balciunas, CEO of Travel Ticker, says, “Reading and staying abreast of what happens in the travel industry puts me in a position to discover those things the competition apparently may have ignored!” By reading and expanding your knowledge, even and especially on weekends, you are better informed to approach your tasks for the week.

3. They Spend Time Reflecting

As Socrates said, “An unexamined life is not worth living.” Successful people follow that philosophy by using the weekends to look back at what worked and what didn’t over the course of the previous week. By reflecting on your week, you can focus on the improvements you need to make on Monday.

4. They Make Time to Pursue Their Interests

Successful people know that chasing success doesn’t mean they have to forget their favorite hobbies. The weekend offers you the opportunity to be creative and do whatever it is you like to do most in your spare time.

5. They Give Something Back

Alexey Chuklin, founder and CEO of Write!, says, “I can use the weekend to give back by showing I am a part of a community.”

Similarly, in the book Rich Habits: The Daily Success Habits of Wealthy Individuals , author Thomas C. Corley writes that 70 percent of successful people give back at least five hours every month.

6. They Disconnect

Successful people know they have to carve out downtime during which they put away their phones and don’t check their email. The weekend is the most ideal time to seek out a break, even if it’s a small one. 

7. They Connect With Their Families

Weekdays might not offer busy successful people enough time to spend with their families and friends.  The weekend can be the perfect time to catch up.

8. They Stay in Shape

Exercise can be refreshing. Not only does it strengthen your mind, but it also gives you the opportunity to clear your head and embrace fresh ideas for the new week.

9. They Build Momentum

Successful people don’t settle for average. They are always focused on excellence by keeping up the momentum. The weekend is a good time to put things in perspective, gain clarity, and refocus on your most important goals. 

10. They Plan for the Upcoming Week

Twitter’s Jack Dorsey has an insane work ethic – he works 16 hours a day Monday through Friday. However, he makes sure his schedule allows him to take off Saturdays, and he uses his Sundays to plan for the upcoming week.

So – how do you spend your weekends?

A version of this article originally appeared on SUCCESS.com.

Casey Imafidon is a full-time writer. He blogs about happiness, success and relationships. He has been featured on Inc.com, Addicted2Success.com, ThoughtCatalog.com, and many more. Feel free to connect with him on Twitter  and Facebook.