Should you work on weekends?

I’m not going to tell you whether you should (or should not) work on Saturdays and Sundays.

But I will ask you this…

Do you WANT to work on a Saturday or Sunday?

I’m sure that answer will vary from person to person.

And even depending on which country you’re from…

But if you’re like me, and want to get sh&t done…

You might feel working on a weekend is totally fine.

I have no problem writing an email or some sales copy.

I’m choosing to do that.

But I would say one thing…

And this goes for every day really…

But I think especially on weekends…

If you do work on a Saturday or a Sunday, make sure it is “highly charged” work.

By that I mean, full on productive work.

No phones bleeping.

No “quick” checks of your social media accounts…

Which can often lead you down a rabbit hole and suck valuable time.

No emailing between jobs.

Full on. Flat out. WORK.

This way you WILL get more done. And faster.

My weekends are usually pretty open.

But I always like to get out of the house.

Go somewhere nice.

Take a boat trip on the river.

Go have a few IPA’s in the fresh air somewhere.

However…

A few years ago if I only worked for a couple of hours on a Saturday, I would have felt mega guilty. 

Why?

Coz I thought I had to work every single day…

I thought that’s what “dedicated people did”.

I thought it was my duty to become “The Best Copywriter Ever.”

And if I didn’t put in at least 8 hours every Saturday…

And 8 hours every Sunday…

I’d feel guilty as heckers!

If I wasn’t reading something from the greatest copywriters ever…

The likes of…

Gary Bencivenga…

Clayton Makepeace…

Gary Halbert…

Joseph Sugarman…

Drayton Bird. …

I felt like my competition was.

I’d also hand copy the greatest ever sales pages for hours.

Until my fingers went numb.

Till the skin on my fingers started peeling off.

And I worked like that flat out from 2003 till about 2015…

Flat out work. Work. Work!

I now realize that way of thinking is totally nuts.

Like mentally stupid.

Not only is it untrue…

But if you never actually take QUALITY time off from your work…

Then you’ll actually perform worse in the long run.

It would be the same as trying to lift heavy weights 7 days a week.

Your body would not be able to handle it. 

Your muscles need time to relax. To get strong.

And so does that most important muscle of yours…

Your BRAIN.

And that ties back to my first point…

I’m a firm believer in finding what works for YOU…

So if you WANT to work on Saturday, then do it.

If you WANT to take Saturday off, then do that too.

Spend some time with your kids…

Or your partner…

Or if you just fancy a Netflix binge all day…

I’d say all of these options are OK.

You’re not missing out by not working…

And you’re not getting a “leg up” on everyone else by working…

So figure out what works for YOU.

 

Final Thoughts On Whether You Should Work On Weekends

Of course, the final decision on whether to work on weekends as an entrepreneur largely depends on your individual circumstances, business requirements, and personal work-life balance preferences.

I know from October 2003 until 2013, I worked pretty much every single Saturday and Sunday.

Was that the right decision?

At the time, I thought I had no choice.

But looking back now, I bet I would have been more productive on a month-to-month basis, if I had taken a few weekends off…

Gone to the beach.

Meditated and got my thinking cap on while breathing in the fresh sea air.

Ok, here are a few final thoughts on this topic to help you navigate this decision:

Define Your Boundaries

As an entrepreneur, it’s easy for work to consume all your time, especially in the early stages of your business. However, it’s crucial to establish boundaries. Decide on a work schedule that includes time for relaxation and leisure. If you must work on weekends, try to set specific hours so your entire weekend isn’t consumed by work.

Know Your Productivity Cycles

Understand when you’re most productive. Some people may find they are incredibly productive on weekends, while others may need the downtime to recharge for the week ahead.

Listen to Your Body

If you’re feeling exhausted, it might be a sign you’re overworking and need to rest. Chronic stress and burnout can lead to serious health issues and can also negatively affect your business in the long run.

Prioritize Important Tasks

If you must work on the weekend, ensure you’re working on high-impact tasks that significantly move your business forward. Prioritize tasks that align with your most important goals.

Balance Work and Life

I definitely broke this rule during those ten years mentioned above. Entrepreneurship is a marathon, not a sprint. Ensuring you have a balance between work and personal life will sustain your energy and passion in the long run. Time off can be beneficial for gaining new perspectives and ideas.

Leverage Automation and Outsourcing

If your workload is too much to handle during the week, consider automating certain tasks or outsourcing. This can free up your time and energy to focus on strategic areas of your business.

Have a Relaxation Ritual

Even if you work on weekends, ensure you have a ritual to relax and disconnect from work. It could be a hobby, exercise, spending time with loved ones, or anything else that helps you unwind.

Experiment and Adjust

Try different schedules to see what works best for you and your business. What works for one entrepreneur may not work for another.

In conclusion, while there are no hard and fast rules about working on weekends, it’s crucial to balance the demands of your business with your personal needs and well-being.

Always ensure to take care of your mental and physical health, because if you are a healthy entrepreneur, you’re more likely to run a successful business.

And whatever you choose…

Just enjoy your weekends every week…

Peace out and go enjoy your Sunday. I insist.

– Greg