You have a busy schedule. How can you make the most of your weekends?

Honestly, this one chapter is all you need. PLAN your weekend! I work an intensive 8-5. By the time Friday evening hits, I'm so exhausted that all I would instead do is sleep in on a Saturday and catch up on the movies, series, music, and gaming I had missed during the week (no judgment here; this is also a solid way to spend a weekend!) In the last three months, I have made it a habit to add weekend activities to my calendar weeks in advance and commit to seeing them through. It was hard at first, but I finally have restful, fulfilling weekends that usher me into new weeks with such energy!

I'd say plan your week better with time management, then weekends can be more yours. If you have to work then schedule perhaps Saturday morning or Sunday afternoon early evening do then you can enjoy the bulk of the weekend. If this is not enough time, look at your tasks or how better you can prioritise tasks in the week. Could you outsource anything? Can a piece of software make you more efficient? Are they any distractions hindering you? All things to consider to make your time management smoother.

Firstly, just do what works for you, we are all different and so will have different approaches. Personally I plan the life out of my week so that leaves the weekends more free and I don't need too plan as much! I will plan things loosely at the weekends i.e. I want to do this and this etc.. But beyond that, too much planning would simply make me a little unhappy and personally I need that down time to mooch and be free and be spontaneous. Planning the week, when I work, gives me that freedom. I find that liberating and it gives me good balance.

In my experience, planning your weekend can transform it from chaotic to fulfilling. Start by setting clear goals. What do you want to achieve? Whether it's relaxation, productivity, or socializing, having a plan ensures you make the most of your time. Next, prioritize activities based on importance and enjoyment. Schedule in downtime for self-care, hobbies, and family time. Also, allocate blocks for tasks like errands or chores to prevent them from taking over. Finally, be flexible. Leave room for spontaneity but stick to your core plan. With this approach, you'll balance productivity and relaxation, making your weekends truly rewarding.

I actually find that when I slow down I speed up. When I was a Lawyer, I never switched off, but this made me miserable, unproductive, tired and not very nice to be around. I choose to have Saturday's as my tech free day, slow the pace down, spend time with my family, clean the house. I either plan for my week ahead on a Friday afternoon, or a Sunday evening. Knowing that I have one full day off from work a week is good enough, but everyone is different. The important thing is to tune in to how you feel, and how those around you feel when you never seem to switch off.

In my experience, making time for fun activities on the weekends is crucial for recharging and maintaining work-life balance. Whether it's exploring nature, trying out a new hobby, or spending quality time with loved ones, doing something enjoyable helps alleviate stress and rejuvenate your mind. Schedule these activities in advance and prioritize them just like any other task. By giving yourself permission to unwind and have fun, you'll return to work feeling refreshed and more productive. After all, a well-rested mind is a more effective one!

When the week days can feel a bit like groundhog day, I plan something fun at the weekends. That is sometimes just having friends around for food and great music, or something a bit more extravagant like visiting a theme park, which I did last weekend with my daughter. I also like board games. They are fun and give you a decent tech detox. When you return to work on Monday, you feel happier and ready to start a new week.

Networking opens doors to invaluable relationships, idea exchanges, and potential opportunities. Whether online or offline, joining communities or attending events, networking keeps you plugged into the pulse of your industry.

My side project has been teaching bootcamp on a Sunday morning. It helps me to own my day. It's also great for networking and gets me known in my local town, which has also been great for business.