Weekend Blueprint~

After reading an article written by Laura Gaskill about a timeline for the weekend and the rejuvenation benefits recouped,  I was prompted to add my own editorial comments on how to get the most out of your two days of bliss! I’ve highlighted her subscripts and then elaborated with my own thoughts. After thinking about it overnight I realized that without the balance of work and life we really can’t reach our full potential for both our families and our workplace. We need the time to stop and smell the roses so we can afford to buy them during the week!

1. Kick off the weekend right by hiding all things work and stress related. In other words on Friday night don’t go through the list of oh my god I’ve got to take care of ….start to think about things to do over the weekend that you love to get lost in…gardening, cooking, nesting, riding, etc.

2. Saturday morning indulgence. Now for some that might mean sleeping in or reading a great book in bed. Others might enjoy an early morning run, riding your bike to the ocean and surfing, hitting the golf tees with a hot coffee and a granola bar, setting off on a bike trek or getting to the barn with the early morning sunshine steaming from the rails of the turnouts. Whatever your “go to” passion is, indulging in it once a week is such a wonderful thing and tremendously rejuvenating. After all the first thing to do on Saturday morning should be what we work so hard during the week to enjoy.

3. Save up for Saturday treats.   For me that would be a hot apple fritter! Who said once a week would kill you? Corned beef hash with poached eggs, chocolate milk oh – la – la’s, lox with bagels and cream cheese, pancakes with syrup…anything food related starts the day off with a smile for your tummy and makes your heart happy!

4. Schedule Serenity.  Meditation…hmmm…maybe. A quiet walk on the beach, sitting in the sun and thinking about absolutely nothing but how lucky you are (no matter what is going on). Connecting with that little voice that pushes you through the rest of the week and making a deal with him or her to give you a break for 10 minutes! Seriously, leave me alone and let me relax.

5. Set a home-work boundary.  It’s all right to schedule some work time in the late afternoon right before you have a glass of wine. That way you will keep it short because a new vintner’s special is waiting for the uncorking.

6. Pick a weekend high point.  A project that will give you the sense of fulfillment once accomplished. Whether it’s planting a new garden, reorganizing the garage or cleaning the drawers in your closet. Sometimes it’s those little things that make you feel at peace with the rest of the world because you have cleaned your clutter and can start another day fresh and ready to go.

7. Cook a double dinner.  I love to do this all the time. When I can make one meal and morph it into another I feel terrific. It’s like recycling, being green and saving money all in one dish! Who wouldn’t feel great when you can clean the refrigerator and eat something tasty at the same time.

8.Sunday evening checklist.  All right now you’ve had your enjoyment for the weekend and you have to start gearing up for Monday morning. Whatever you need to do to psychologically prepare for the week, by Sunday late afternoon you need to kick it into gear. Papers ready for a meeting, suit pressed, shoes shined, appointments confirmed, emails returned (the ones you’ve been avoiding)…it’s time to check back in, gently! Get ready and then relax for the rest of the evening with a lovely family dinner and a great movie which moves us into….

9.Weekend closure.  In our family it’s Sunday night dinner, which more often than not has been on the stove or in the oven all day. With smells that fill the home, for me it’s always a time to be thankful we have each other. Embracing the ups and the downs, the joys and the sorrows we come together this evening to share.  We light the candles and sit down this night to remember how special we are to each other. And now with a full tummy, dishes done and movie ordered…we move into…

10. Set a positive intention for the week ahead. This one I was in total agreement with Laura. Before heading to bed on Sunday night, give a little thought to what you hope for in the coming week. Think of something positive to look forward to, plan to wear something new or fun to work and have every intention to enjoy and appreciate all that your life is!

If you would like to see her analysis, here is the link:

http://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/23384643/list/10-Steps-to-a-Happier-Weekend w=300

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