Could you use a relaxing weekend?

Need help preparing your mind, and your calendar for an enjoyable few days at home?

In this post, I offer a few helpful tips to help you better manage your time so you can enjoy your weekend.

Create an end of the week routine.

Routines can be quite helpful when it comes to separating work time from play time.

Why not kick off the end of the week with a regular routine?

Rest assured, this routine doesn’t have to be a complicated dance of last-minute tasks.

Performing just one single task is good enough to remind you the weekend has arrived, and to check out from your work responsibilities at the end of the day.

You could put a couple of files away in a drawer, switch off the overhead light to your office, or spin your favorite desk toy around three times in your hand before placing it on your desk.

Log off of email and turn off your devices.

Eliminate any check-in temptation by completely logging out of your work email accounts and apps, and by and switching off any work-related devices.

You should also leave work papers and materials at the office on Friday before you leave for home.

If it will make you feel more at ease, set an away message on your email or work phone saying you are unavailable, and will be back in the office at the start of the work week.

That email can wait until next week, really, it can!

Schedule time for yourself.

Does it always feel as if you’re running around every weekend doing things for other people or going to various events just because you were invited?

Don’t be afraid to book a weekend just for yourself or with loved ones. Write it down in your calendar if it will help you stick to it, and be firm about protecting your time.

Should you receive an invite to a party, event, or outing, show your appreciation, and kindly decline. A simple, “Thank you, but I won’t be able to attend. I’ve already got plans,” will suffice. You deserve it.

TAKE CONTROL OF YOUR CALENDAR.

The Order Expert’s Guide to Time Management is a hands-on workbook that provides practical solutions to common, everyday time management problems.

Click here to learn more about the workbook >> 

Don’t plan your workweek on Sunday.

You may be tempted to get a head start by planning your week on Sunday. While this may seem all well and good, whatever happened to enjoying your weekend? Sunday is still the weekend!

If you want to plan your week, do so on Friday mornings or afternoons when things are at a slower pace. Use this time to review your week, check goals, and prepare any basic to-do lists for the beginning of the week.

You’ll thank yourself Monday morning when you see your to-dos already laid out in advance.

How about you? How do you plan your weekends to make sure you’ll have a relaxing few days off from work? Join the conversation and leave a comment below!