By Haddon Libby
Have you ever wondered how your routines compare with people who are among the most successful in their careers and lives?
Laura Vanderkam, a nationally recognized writer who regularly questions the status quo and tries to help her readers in rediscovering their passions in the pursuit of a more meaningful life, has spent her career analyzing this. Her books What the Most Successful People Do Before Breakfast and What the Most Successful People Do on the Weekend explore this.
During the week, people like Frank Lloyd Wright and Disney CEO Robert Iger wake up by 5am each day. In the first three hours of their days, they do things like exercise. Working out early avoids daily distractions that keep them from staying fit. In general, successful people wake up before 6am.
In addition to exercise, the successful use this quiet time to visualize, map out and prioritize their daily activities. Planning out the day helps them in having a positive approach to their daily workload.
Before heading to work, most have a healthy breakfast and spend some time with family. Throughout the day, they continue eating healthy foods as this helps keep their bodies and minds strong.
Successful people typically tackle their most unpleasant tasks early in the day and early in their week. Delaying unpleasant tasks burdens the mind and drains energy that can be better used on more productive and pleasant tasks.
Lastly, successful people find time at the end of their days to wind down and unplug. Relaxation time away from work is critical to success at work.
So what do these successful people do on the weekend? Vanderkam states that the weekend needs to be about reflecting, planning and recharging.
First and foremost, the successful use weekends to reconnect with friends and family. Exercise and physical exertion are also important as a fit body helps you to have the stamina and health necessary to be at maximum effectiveness at work.
Do you have a passion that you cannot pursue doing the week? The successful use the weekend to recharge and do things that they most enjoy. As an example, Malcolm Forbes rode in a motorcycle club on weekends right up until his death in 1990 at the age of 71.
When possible, they take weekend vacations. This also means putting down the SmartPhone and disconnecting from the little issues that can zap your weekend recharge time. They also avoid weekends packed with chores.
The successful use weekends to volunteer and help nonprofits in fundraising activities. Not only does this keep their lives in perspective and bring personal satisfaction but this also provides an effective and relaxing way to network. Successful people typically enjoy human interaction, networking and meeting new people. In general, the successful socialize actively on weekends. Vankerkam puts socialization very close to sex on the list of weekend ‘to-do’ activities.
Lastly, the successful like to do things like gardening, playing sports and cooking on weekends.
Outside of these practices and behaviors Monday through Sunday, successful people do not want to retire. While the average American retires at the age of 61, the successful typically wait until after the age of 70. While they may gear down their activities toward the end of their careers, they enjoy what they do and want to work in order to stay active.
It is worth noting that successful people are typically frugal and bargain shoppers. Why waste money when a less expensive option is available?
By planning your time smartly, you are more likely to avoid the traps of wasted time and energy while enjoying life more and entering the ranks of the most successful.
