Are you someone who works all week and only gets to enjoy your weekend on Friday and Saturday? Are you someone who ends up working on Friday because you need to get that report finished by end of the day, or so your boss says? Have you ever felt like the working world doesn’t understand how much time you need to spend prepping for the weekend, and how little time there is left in your week? If this sounds familiar, you are not alone. Many people feel that Friday is no longer a part of their weekend. It becomes an extension of work instead of a transition period between work and personal time. This article will cover why this happens, what we can do about it as individuals, as well as steps organizations can take to help everyone experience Friday as part of their weekend.
Is Friday Part Of The Weekend?
This is a common misconception. People often refer to Friday as the beginning of their weekend, but in actuality, Friday is just the halfway point between Thursday and Saturday. The weekend actually begins on Saturday and ends on Sunday. Therefore, Friday is just one-fourth of the way through your entire weekend.
Why Do We Work On Fridays?
You have something to look forward to after work
Let’s admit it, we have all been there – after a long, exhausting week of work, we’re in no mood to go out and socialize. We just want to go home and rest. Working on Fridays will help you get your work done and get you out of the office sooner so that you can enjoy your weekend to the fullest. In fact, you might even be able to extend your weekend or take a mini vacation earlier than usual. It’s also a great way to build anticipation and excitement for the upcoming weekend – especially if you’re working in a field where you don’t get much time off.
Working on Fridays helps you unload prior to the weekend
Working on Fridays allows you to unload your work and unpack the prior week’s tasks before you enjoy your weekend. You can pack your bag and get as much done before Friday so that you can enjoy the weekend without worrying about any work-related issues. This will give you a sense of accomplishment and will make you feel even better about your weekend. If you don’t do this, you might end up bringing the prior week’s tasks with you on your weekend vacation or social plans, which will put a damper on your weekend. Working on Fridays might not be for you if you’re a “finisher.” Finishers get satisfaction from seeing a job completed, so they might prefer to leave after a shorter day so they can get their work done and check everything off their to-do list.
You’re not overwhelmed with your “to-do” list.
Working on Fridays lets you finish your list of tasks in a short period of time, so you can leave the office with a clear mind and no “to-do” list. If you’re still struggling with your tasks or have a hefty “to-do” list, working on Fridays might be the right culture for you. It gives you a chance to get everything done in a shorter period of time and leave the office with no stress or worries. Working on Fridays can help you cross off your list a few items at a time, especially if you are part of a team or working in a collaborative environment. Working on Fridays might not be for you if you thrive on a hefty “to-do” list.
The company provides a catered lunch
If you work at a company that provides a catered lunch on Fridays, then you should definitely work on Fridays. Not only are you getting more done and leaving the office sooner, but you’re getting a great lunch as well. If your company provides a catered lunch on Fridays, you probably have a great manager who is looking out for your benefit. Working on Fridays might not be for you if you don’t work for a company that provides a catered lunch.
Fridays are essentially your only day off during the week
If you work a 9-5 job or have a very hectic schedule, you might not have time to enjoy your weekends because you have so much work to do during the week. Working on Fridays gives you an extra day off during the week that allows you to rest and recuperate. You can enjoy your weekends or take mini vacations to catch up on rest and relaxation. Working on Fridays might not be for you if you enjoy your weekends off and have plenty of time to rest and recuperate during the week.
How To Make Your Fridays Meaningful And Productive?
Plan your week
After you go through your backlog, you can plan your week. Most people don’t actively plan their weeks. Instead, they let their weeks “fall out of the sky,” with each day’s activities being determined by whatever happens to come up. By planning your week, you give yourself much more control over your life, and you also make your Fridays more meaningful and productive. When you plan your week, you’re not just writing down what you want to do, but you’re also writing down why you want to do each activity. This is a very meaningful thing to do. It helps you give meaning to your work and proactively determine where the best use of your time lies. It also gives you a sense of control because you know what to expect from day to day.
Review your key projects
If you want to make your Fridays more meaningful and productive, you must actively review your key projects. Most people don’t actively review their key projects. They let their projects lie follow. But by reviewing your key projects, you give them more importance and meaning, and you also make your Fridays more productive. When you review your key projects, you’re not just passively going over what you want to do, but you’re also actively looking for ways in which you can improve what you’re doing. This is a very meaningful thing to do because it helps you give more importance to your work and proactively determine how you can do better in those areas. It also gives you satisfaction because you know that you’re actively contributing to the progress of your work.
Have a no-scheduled meeting
One of the biggest myths about meetings is that they need to be scheduled. In fact, having a no-scheduled meeting can actually help you make your Fridays more meaningful and productive. During a no-scheduled meeting, you can talk about the following things. What you’re working on (with specific examples). What you’re struggling with (with specific examples). What you’ve achieved since your last meeting? What you’re looking forward to in the future. What do you want to accomplish in the near future? This is a very meaningful thing to do because it helps you and your team members get more connected with one another and also gives meaning to your work.
Celebrate the small wins with your team
Another thing you can do during a no-scheduled meeting celebrates the small wins of your team members. This is a very meaningful thing to do because it shows that you care about the progress of your colleagues and that you also want to give meaning to your work. It helps you get more connected with your team members and also gives meaning to your work. It also gives you a sense of satisfaction because you know that you’re actively contributing to the progress of your team members.
Conclusion
This article was written for people who feel like Friday is no longer a break, but more like another day of work. Working too many hours can make you tired, and it can make you feel like Friday is just another day. To help fix this, try to work fewer hours, take enough time off, and create space for recovery in your life. And, if you want to make the most of your free time, try playing a sport or doing something creative like painting or singing. You’ll end up feeling more rested, and you might even discover a new hobby.