A short read is what I searched for this week. The kids and husband are at home on school holidays, it's the festival of my birthday (!!) and I knew that time was tight. So, it was an absolute fluke for #amazon to push this book to me via email!

What successful people do on their weekends by Laura Vanderkam is a cracker of a read. (I broke my own rule of reading a 2nd book by the same author ... without realising it!) These types of books are easy to read, you'll pick up a few lessons and they are easy to implement.

However, I know you're too busy and given it's the Easter break in the next few hours (here in east coast Australia) let me help you with a few notes.

Let me tell you first, that my ego was stroked nicely as I do do a few of the things which successful people do ... so, I'm feeling quite successful.

These messages made an impact:

·        Success in a competitive world requires hitting Monday refreshed and ready to go which requires creating weekends that rejuvenate you rather than exhaust or disappoint you

·        Planning for weekends is more important than planning for weekdays – when you plan enjoyable things ahead of time you magnify the pleasure

·        Your weekend consists of 60 hours – starts at 6pm on a Friday (time for champagne and chatting) and concludes at 6am on Monday morning when you have rested enough for the week ahead

·        Of the 60 hours, 18-24hours are consumed with sleeping which leaves you 42-38 hours of activity time

·        A weekend is the Sabbath (stay with me) which are days of rest which means time to rejuvenate to be refreshed

·        Sketch a few anchor events is a practice to achieve a good balance e.g. with kids, friends

·        Plans create anticipation which our frontal lobe in our brain allow us to vacate the present and experience the future before it happens (who knew that?!)

·        Research is suggesting we don’t spend enough quality time on planned activities with the kids (funnily enough my kids have recently started asking “what are we doing on the weekend”)

Whilst I do some of these practices, I did learn:

 ·        Make a list of doable dreams- a bucket list of activities within a two hour radius of home

·        Set anchors – add a few of your dreams to each weekend of the year

·        Minimise your have-to-dos – do your house chores during the week or outsource

·        Abide by the six secrets of successful people:

1.      Dig Deep – do something you’ve always wanted to do, for yourself

2.      Use your mornings – get up early as you have 12 hours to use (it will be tough)

3.      Create traditions – something which involves your family e.g. each Sunday morning

4.      Schedule downtime – don’t do anything, put away all devices and gadgets and rest

5.      Make time to explore – get out there and discover where you live e.g. walk, ride, run

6.      Plan something fun for Sunday nights – look to Sunday night as ending on a high note

 There you have it - something to consider this weekend. I am going to work on the Sunday Night - rather than watch a something on screen, we're going to create another tradition.

I’m endeavouring to read 52 Business/Professional/Personal Development books in 52 weeks. Yep, that’s one a week. As I read each book, I’ll share my thoughts, learning and recommendations. If there is a book that you’ve been meaning to read, let me know and I’ll read it for us!