6 things super successful people do on weekends

Remember that Silicon Valley episode where Richard’s doctor tells him he aged 40 biological years in 7 weeks?

While everyone held their bellies and laughed at that one, chances are, if you’re a startup founder, you didn’t join in. For the startup industry, that one was too close to the bone.

That entrepreneurs should give up on their social lives, and live and breathe their business has been the mantra for startups ever since the industry bloomed. After all, if they do not give their “all,” and treat their business like their baby, how will they convince investors that they are building something of worth?

However, it isn’t uncommon for even the most passionate entrepreneurs to crash out with too much stress, and the mental well being of people in the industry is definitely a cause for concern. Very successful people across industries have always sworn by a “pause” button in their lives, claiming it helps them refocus and come back with more energy.

Here’s a list of habits that the uber successful weave into their weekends. It is in no way comprehensive, but meant as an indicator to help with the burnout.

1. Try to avoid the office space

A Stanford study says our productivity levels go down when the workweek exceeds 50 hours. Spencer Rascoff, founder of Hotwire and former VP of Expedia says he checks emails, but otherwise spends time with his family on Saturdays and Sundays.

That does not, however, mean he cuts himself off. “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,” he told Forbes.

2. Do something that recharges you

Go on a drive, cross-train, practice on the piano, volunteer – pick anything that is not similar to the work you do all week and which also helps you be happy.

Doing a different kind of acitivity helps your body and mind recover from the things that stress you all week. Richard Branson stays active with kite surfing, while Meryl Streep knits.

3. Kick out the FOMO 

All week you are ensnared in a 100 meetings and countless emails. Take time out to be by yourself over the weekends. Catch up on sleep. Read a book, or just sit silent.

Randi Zuckerberg says people should give up on FOMO (fear of missing out) to embrace JOMO (joy of missing out). Oprah practices meditation.

4. Fix your priorities

Take this time to take a step back and regroup your thinking. Busy people, especially entrepreneurs, are so busy fire-fighting most works days that it is easy to lose sight of the big picture.

Steve Jobs used weekends to remind himself of the small, forgotten things – the things that keep your work-life in balance, and to reset if needed.

5. Don’t disrupt the body clock too much

Everyone from Disney’s Robert Iger to Jay Z to Bill Gates wakes up early – and they keep that momentum going on weekends. Disrupting the body clock too much will mean carry-over effects the next week. In simple words, sleeping too late on Sunday night will result in groggy Monday mornings.

6. Plan for Monday

Twitter’s Jack Dorsey says he “takes off” on Saturdays, keeping Sundays for reflection, feedback, strategy, and getting ready for the rest of the week.

Laura Vanderkam, author of What the Most Successful People Do on the Weekend, says successful people know that weekends are actually the secret weapon in professional success. “You need to hit Monday ready to go,” she says. – Rappler.com 

This article was first published on Tech in Asia. 

About Nivedita: I like good apps, tech, books and food, not necessarily in that order. Enabler of good ideas, chaser of good stories. Associate Ed, TIA India. Tips and chats @tweetsfromnivi or nivedita@techinasia.com