How to have productive weekends?

[seeker5]

How can I get a productive weekends?

I work a Monday-Friday job, and I seem to be productive at my non-job goals during those days, However, my time is limited and I can't spend much time on it.

However, I have Saturday and Sunday, so I look forward to them so I can work on those goals and have more time at it, except that I seem to get really lazy on those two days. Very frustrating to face Monday knowing I've just wasted two days and didn't make progress on my goals and I'd have to wait at least another week before I get chance to try again to work on my goals.

Tomorrow, I'm going to work, and I bet I'll once again get productive and try to do as much as I can in my limited time - yet there are things that takes several hours to do that I won't be able to because it's a workday. This has been a pattern for a long time now.

[Kaspian]

Honestly, I often don't want to have productive weekends!

My current pattern is to spend 1-2 hours on personal development stuff first thing in the morning before doing anything else, whether it's a weekday or a weekend. That means getting up early, usually before 5am. When I have unscheduled time, Fridays and Sundays for me, I prefer to keep it that way. On my days off I aim to do only what I want to do, nothing that I "should" do, and rarely what someone else wants me to do, unless, of course, I want to do it for my own reasons.

If the thing I want to do most is dejunk and reorganize, I do that. If I feel like knitting and watching movies, I do that. If going outside to work in the yard appeals most, I go outside. And so on.

With personal development stuff, I'm learning that it's important that I choose things that really do matter to me. When I pick a goal because someone else had success with it and it seems like a good idea, it can easily become one of those things I "should" do, and I loose motivation. Doing the things that matter feels easy and natural - almost like eating when hungry.


Edit: Congrats on post #666!

[Meg]

i get up and do my regular routines to trick my body and mind. My body thinks I'm going to work because I'm doing all the same things I do before work, so I'm already in the productive state of mind. But my schedule is so bizarre, its almost hardly routine.

What I suggest you do for the weekends is get up the same time you do Monday-Friday, do your same morning routine as you do Monday-Friday, and instead of getting in the car and going to work, go do your goals.

[LeahWhitehorse]

Hi
I'm in the same situation as you in that I work full time and work on other things (blogs, music, writing) in the evenings and at weekends.

For me, sometimes my mind and body rebel because even though I want to do the things I'm doing I'm actually needing some 'time out' as well. I make sure that I have something to do that doesn't involve work of any kind (usually watching a movie) and that is my gift to myself for being productive. A lot of the time I adore the creative things I'm doing so feel very motivated to do them anyway but there are always times when things are harder than others.

I find it's useful to have a plan to work to as well - nothing overwhelming, just a reasonable list of things to do in the month on the specific goals I'm working on. I take one small thing off the list at a time.

It may also be useful to identify the times when you are naturally inclined to work towards your goals. Maybe you are attuned to doing work in the evenings? I love the night time so at the weekend I tend to do all mundane tasks like washing/shopping etc. in the mornings and then feel free to get on with creativity for the rest of the day.

Make a list of why you are doing what you are doing and re-read it everyday including the weekends. That may help to ignite your passion.

[evelynlim]

Hi, it may be helpful before the weekend comes, say on Friday, to lay down what you intend to accomplish that weekend. And when Sat and Sun comes, just get going on these.

I know it's easy to get lazy during the weekends. But schedule time for taking a break should also help!

All the best,
Evelyn

[Kaybee]

Like you, I work a full-time job and often rely on weekends for productive activity on my Blog. What helps me stay on track are my goals and what I desire to achieve. I decided to treat my Blog like a part-time job - meaning I schedule a set number of hours to work on it per week and on the weekend.

Often times, I get up early on the weekends (just as I do during the week) and use that time to write or handle other tasks. I then have the rest of my day for other activities.

Kim
personal growth and inspiration
dishing common sense with life experience for personal growth

[alexinspire]

Hmm...

I love to have my weekend full of work to do. Not because I don't want to rest or I'm a workaholic. It's because my work is my hobby. I love to do internet marketing and that's my passion and hobby.

I well definitely have a wonderful weekend and will plan my weekend to have it productive too.

[Tobias Zimpel]

Originally Posted by seeker5

How can I get a productive weekends?

I work a Monday-Friday job, and I seem to be productive at my non-job goals during those days, However, my time is limited and I can't spend much time on it.

However, I have Saturday and Sunday, so I look forward to them so I can work on those goals and have more time at it, except that I seem to get really lazy on those two days. Very frustrating to face Monday knowing I've just wasted two days and didn't make progress on my goals and I'd have to wait at least another week before I get chance to try again to work on my goals.

Add me to those who don't really want to have productive weekends.

I also have a regular job, but I don't work full hours currently (although I probably will be in the near future). However, I try to have a list of things to do (real next steps, no list on non-actionable items), so when I'm low energy, I can look at my list to identify things to do that require little or no energy or even load up my energy level a bit again.

I suggest that you look into GTD, as one of the intentions of this self management system is to have every commitment and goal managed and keeping a list of options for each and every situation in your life with as little effort as possible.

I also agree with those who suggest that you start a weekend day the same way you would start a work day, including the time you get up. This gets you automatically into working mode. But don't push yourself too hard and listen to your body. IMHO you should at least have one day of rest (probably sunday), where you only do what you feel like and want to do.

[seeker5]

Originally Posted by Tobias Zimpel

Add me to those who don't really want to have productive weekends.

I want productive weekends because that's my chance to change my situation and work toward my goals. I want a life that is very different then my current life, and my weekends are the biggest unblocked time that I have to work on my goals and get me a different situation.

I suggest that you look into GTD, as one of the intentions of this self management system is to have every commitment and goal managed and keeping a list of options for each and every situation in your life with as little effort as possible.

I have, I've read the book, and I have a GTD organizer thing on my spreadsheet that I carry around all over.

I also agree with those who suggest that you start a weekend day the same way you would start a work day, including the time you get up.

I like that tip, I'm going to try that.

[Tobias Zimpel]

Originally Posted by seeker5

I want productive weekends because that's my chance to change my situation and work toward my goals. I want a life that is very different then my current life, and my weekends are the biggest unblocked time that I have to work on my goals and get me a different situation.

That's a reason. I know you are aware that this will take a lot of self discipline, but you seem to be a very disciplined person at least in your working life. That makes the idea to make your weekends feel like they were work days even worthier, because that will likely trigger the same self discipline.

I have, I've read the book, and I have a GTD organizer thing on my spreadsheet that I carry around all over.

So you know what productivity might look like. Great!

Keep us posted on your results. I'm especially interested how the "starting your day"-thing works for you.

[Brad Isaac]

I would consider a reassessment of your personal goals and breaking down each one into specific actions. Are your top goals really what you want out of life? Or is it something else?

If you look forward to the weekends because you can't wait to get to work but then you don't, IMHO that's a sign of enjoying the feeling of anticipation and never releasing it. Put another way, it's like having a big piece of chocolate cake in the kitchen all day -savoring it for after dinner. Finally dinner gets eaten but you don't eat the cake - the anticipation is what's better than the cake. But if you did take a bite of the cake, you'd eat the whole piece - but taking that bite means not anticipating it anymore.

That's the key, taking the first step on a goal action when anticipatory bliss has set in. FWIW, the other day I posted about making good goal use of your free time - some people have found it helpful.

BTW, it's Saturday. Get to work

[seeker5]

Originally Posted by Tobias Zimpel

That's a reason. I know you are aware that this will take a lot of self discipline, but you seem to be a very disciplined person at least in your working life.

Well, in truth, I'm not that productive at work. I used to be, but I haven't been the last few months. I'm not interested in my job anymore, and I wouldn't mind being let go. So that probably translate to my off-time on the weekend? I know I had some productive weekends before that, but not regularly.

Keep us posted on your results. I'm especially interested how the "starting your day"-thing works for you.

Well, I didn't have a productive weekend. I got into some conflict Friday late afternoon/early evening and I tend to be very non-productive after having the kind of conflicts that gets me upset. I was in the "blues". I think I need to learn better emotional management in addition to better productivity so I don't let bad conflict throw me into the blues.

Originally Posted by Brad Isaac

I would consider a reassessment of your personal goals and breaking down each one into specific actions. Are your top goals really what you want out of life? Or is it something else?

Hmmm.

If you look forward to the weekends because you can't wait to get to work but then you don't, IMHO that's a sign of enjoying the feeling of anticipation and never releasing it. Put another way, it's like having a big piece of chocolate cake in the kitchen all day -savoring it for after dinner. Finally dinner gets eaten but you don't eat the cake - the anticipation is what's better than the cake. But if you did take a bite of the cake, you'd eat the whole piece - but taking that bite means not anticipating it anymore.

Hmmm, that make sense.

That's the key, taking the first step on a goal action when anticipatory bliss has set in. FWIW, the other day I posted about making good goal use of your free time - some people have found it helpful.

Thanks, I'll review it.

[Dan.Linehan]

Hey Seeker.

I have the same problem myself. Question: do you think a weekend coach would help you?

Someone who called you Friday night, asked you what your goals for the weekend were, then followed up with you throughout the weekend to make sure they got done?

[Rose of Cairo]

What a good idea! Especially if you need some coercive coaching I'm ready to do that for you seeker. Only because I love you so much of course

But seriously, I think there is some underlying issue you could examine rather than forcing yourself...

[seeker5]

Originally Posted by Dan.Linehan

Hey Seeker.

I have the same problem myself. Question: do you think a weekend coach would help you?

Someone who called you Friday night, asked you what your goals for the weekend were, then followed up with you throughout the weekend to make sure they got done?

Hmmm, I dunno. I've never really been good at being accountable to someone else. I'm better when I'm driven on the inside to really do stuff. However, trying to explain what I want to accomplish and whys might help and it might be fun to try to get all that done before the call Sunday night. Hmmmm.

Originally Posted by Rose of Cairo

What a good idea! Especially if you need some coercive coaching I'm ready to do that for you seeker. Only because I love you so much of course

Does this coercive coaching come with a leather whip and handcuffs?

But seriously, I think there is some underlying issue you could examine rather than forcing yourself...

Yeah, maybe. Like what? And how would I examine it?

[Rose of Cairo]

Originally Posted by seeker5

I've never really been good at being accountable to someone else. I'm better when I'm driven on the inside to really do stuff.

That's something we have in common

Does this coercive coaching come with a leather whip and handcuffs?

How do you know what I was thinking about?

Like what? And how would I examine it?

I don't know. It's just that when I have some problem with doing something, generally it means either that I'm very low on energy for some reason, or that I have some inner problem with the thing I want to do. There's always a good reason why I don't do it. But finding it out takes a bit of work.

[Dan.Linehan]

I designed a site. What do you guys think?

Weekend Goals | Hands-On Goal-Setting and Productivity

[seeker5]

I don't know. It's just that when I have some problem with doing something, generally it means either that I'm very low on energy for some reason, or that I have some inner problem with the thing I want to do. There's always a good reason why I don't do it. But finding it out takes a bit of work.

Hmmm, that's a good point. Sometimes when I have a lot of resistance to doing something, after a bit of digging up and confronting my fears/beliefs then I can start doing it much more effortlessly.

Originally Posted by Dan.Linehan

I designed a site. What do you guys think?

Weekend Goals | Hands-On Goal-Setting and Productivity

Looks very spify! Did you put it together or did you use a template that already had the pictures? I really like the layout - it's easy on the eyes.

[Rose of Cairo]

your site looks good Dan! Very nice Now you just have to fill the sub pages and set the links correctly... It's a great idea as a matter of fact. I'm sure many people can get a lot out of it. I'll recommend you

[seeker5]

I finally had a productive weekend! I set out a number of goals Friday afternoon that I wanted to accomplish by Sunday and I achieved each one of them! I'm very pleased with that. Here's some of the things I think helped:

1) I woke up Saturday and Sunday morning with the usual routine that I do during the weekday.

2) I had a superbowl party planned Sunday night that I was looking for. So I was looking forward to the end of the weekend for the party, instead of dreading the end of the weekend because of having to go back to work Monday morning.

3) I did write my weekend goal to someone. Not sure how much that helped, but I really did look forward to writing that I had finished my goals.

4) I also had a helluva good week before the weekend, so I was pretty satisfied about my week, and I think that may have had some bearing on the weekend.

[{aspiring_to_clarity}]

Congrats on your productive weekend. Let the satisfaction from this one motivate you for the next.