Pearl Nash
Imagine if Tony Stark, the quirky billionaire we admire in Iron Man, chose to spend his Saturdays and Sundays doing things that didn’t add to his awesome life.
Picture him seated on the sofa, engrossed in a day-long Netflix-binge that adds no value to his life or ambitions.
Can you see Iron Man investing his precious time in an activity that doesn’t build on his epic legacy? Not quite.
So, we’re not all Iron Man. But we do know, and look up to, the real-world overachievers who are constantly hustling, climbing the work ladder.
But let me drop some truths—these winners are not working themselves into the ground to get ahead!
This is because successful individuals grasp the delicate balance between relaxation and productivity.
In fact, they are taking down time where they can get it. And that includes weekends.
Because of this, they refuse to let their weekends slip into a void of unproductive habits.
Here are eight things successful people will never be caught doing on the weekends:
1) Work meetings
One thing successful people tend to do is avoid dragging work meetings into their precious weekend time.
Why? First things first, the weekend should be considered a sacred time to recharge, kick back, and do the things that bring you joy. Successful people get this.
They understand the value of work-life balance, and weekends are perfect for striking that.
Winners get that weekends are for personal growth, hobbies, and quality time with loved ones—not for hashing out business strategies. These can always wait for Monday.
If you’re constantly in work mode, your brain doesn’t get the chance to recharge, and that can lead to burnout.
So, if you ever find yourself tempted to schedule a work meeting on a Saturday or Sunday, pause and ask yourself—is this really all that necessary?
Remember, a well-rested mind is a powerhouse during the workweek.
2) Excessive amounts of screen time
I get it. Binge-watching shows, scrolling through social media, and gaming can seriously become addictive.
But here’s the scoop on something successful people tend to avoid on their weekends: excessive screen time.
This is because too much screen time can mess with your sleep. Those late-night Netflix binges might be tempting, but the blue light from screens can mess with your circadian rhythm, making it harder to catch those much-needed Zs.
And you know what winners value just as much as their time? Yep, you guessed it: sleep!
Plus, when it comes to productivity, successful people are all about getting things done and making the most out of their time.
Spending hours glued to a screen might give you temporary joy, but it’s not exactly a productivity booster.
There’s a whole world out there to explore, experiences to be had, and goals to crush, and spending too much time on screens can be a major roadblock.
Taking a break from the digital world allows them to connect with the real world, particularly on the weekends.
3) Avoiding friends and family
Even if they’ve got a million things on their to-do list, a high-achieving person would never spend their precious weekend avoiding their loved ones.
This is because they also understand that relationships are the glue that holds everything together.
You can have all the success in the world, but without meaningful connections—what’s it worth?
Think about it. Those summer barbecues, long movie nights, or even just catching up over a cup of coffee are the moments that add depth and richness to life.
It’s not just about the hustle and grind—it’s about enjoying the journey with the people who matter along the way.
And let’s not forget the power of a bit of R and R. Successful people know that recharging the batteries is a non-negotiable.
Taking time to unwind with loved ones not only reduces stress but also brings joy and fulfillment. It’s like hitting the reset button for the week ahead.
So, take a leaf out of their books. Don’t let the weekend slip away without embracing the warmth of friendships and family ties.
It’s not just about climbing the ladder—it’s about who you bring along for the ride.
4) Skipping out on exercise
The weekend finally arrives, and what’s the first thing you decide to skip? Exercise.
Yeah, I get it. The couch is calling, and Netflix is tempting you with yet another binge-worthy series.
But hold up! Before you dive into that weekend of pure relaxation, let me tell you why skipping exercise is the very last thing a super successful person would do.
Exercise boosts creativity, sharpens focus, and releases all those feel-good endorphins.
Think about it—you’re gearing up for a week of crushing it, and you want your mind to be in tip-top shape, right?
And let’s not forget about stress. Success often comes with a side of stress, and what better stress-buster is there than a good workout?
Exercise helps you blow off steam, reduces cortisol levels, and leaves you feeling more relaxed and ready to tackle whatever challenges come your way.
I’m not saying you can’t have a lazy weekend now and then. We all need those recharge days.
But if you want to stay on top of your game, keep the success train rolling, and have a mind and body that are primed for greatness, squeezing in some exercise is a non-negotiable.
5) Going on a binge or bender
While it might be tempting to go all out and celebrate the week with a wild bender, successful folks tend to take a different route.
Think about energy—these go-getters know the need to invest it wisely.
A weekend binge can leave you feeling very drained and far from ready for the challenges of the upcoming week.
Success is a long game, and these high achievers are all about playing it smart.
They’re focused on activities that contribute positively to their future success rather than derailing progress.
Productivity is another big player in their playbook. Weekends are cherished, and wasting precious hours on a binge is not their style.
Remember, binging on unhealthy substances contradicts a commitment to well-being, impacting your ability to do your very best.
6) Skipping sleep and rest
You might be thinking, “Sleep is for the weak… I’ll rest when I’ve made it!” But hold on. Here’s why the weekend grind without sleep is a big no-no.
Sleep is great for the mind. And I mean great. A well-rested brain is sharper, more creative, and ready to take on challenges.
Imagine the incredible and unique ideas you might miss out on by burning the midnight oil.
Let’s talk about mood. Ever tried conquering the world with a grumpy attitude?
It’s not a pretty sight. Lack of sleep messes with your mood and patience, turning you into a total grinch rather than an unstoppable force of nature.
Successful people understand the importance of a healthy body. Skipping sleep weakens your immune system, making you more susceptible to falling ill.
Sleep enhances focus, concentration, and overall efficiency. It’s like having a secret weapon for success.
Additionally, sleep also contributes to a longer, healthier life. Don’t you want to enjoy the fruits of your labor for years to come?
7) Procrastinating around the house
Imagine you’re on the brink of conquering the world during the workweek with meetings, projects, deadlines.
Now, the weekend rolls around, and you’ve got a choice: to either keep riding the success train or descend into the realm of procrastination.
Ever notice how procrastination can turn into a black hole?
One minute you’re scrolling through TikTok, and the next, hours have vanished into the abyss.
Successful people value their time like it’s the rarest treasure, and they sure as heck won’t waste it procrastinating.
8) Staying on email
The high-fliers and successful go-getters in life try their very best not to fall into the weekend email trap. Of course, this isn’t always possible.
Checking and responding to work emails on the weekend is like willingly inviting stress into your sacred weekend time. Who needs that?
Successful people get the importance of recharging. They understand that constantly being tethered to the work inbox is a one-way ticket to burnout.
Imagine you’re at your favorite local brunch spot, sipping on your oat milk latte, and suddenly ping—there goes an email from your boss about that quarter’s reports. There’s been an error in the data.
Suddenly, the omelet isn’t as tasty, and your latte is turning bitter. Is this really how you want to spend your weekend?
Also, successful people understand the power of setting boundaries. They know that if they don’t draw the line somewhere, work will gobble up every ounce of their free time.
Instead, they make a conscious decision to keep work at arm’s length during the weekend—because, my friend, they’ve well and truly earned the time off.
So, put down that smartphone, step away from the laptop screen, and go ahead and soak in the weekend like the legend you are. You’ll never regret doing this for yourself—trust me!
Final thoughts
In a nutshell, weekends are for relaxation, personal growth, and enjoying time with loved ones.
Consider it to be the secret weapon to recharge and conquer the upcoming week.
Successful people know that a healthy work-life balance is key, and that means leaving work commitments where they belong: the working week.
Instead of procrastinating, or spending it on binge worthy pastimes, dive into activities that fuel your passions, boost creativity, and help you recharge your energy for the week ahead.
