Weekends can be a challenge. Do you rest or prepare for the week ahead? In today's Thriving Five, I'll share how to strike the perfect balance between resetting and getting ready for the week so you feel refreshed and productive. Welcome back to Thrive in Five, where I give you a quick burst of motivation and productivity in five minutes or less. I'm Cindy, your host, a self-made entrepreneur, busy mom, and a business coach. I've built and sold several digital businesses ranging from five to six figure successes. So when it comes to managing time and priorities in both life and work, I get it. I've been there and I am here to help you thrive. Let's talk about weekends. For many of us, weekends can feel like a tug of war between catching up on work, running errands, and trying to relax. The good news is you don't have to choose one over the other. With a simple plan, you can balance rest and preparation so you head into the week feeling both recharged and ready. Today, I'm gonna guide you through how to create a weekend plan that works for you. The first step is we are going to divide your weekend into three zones. The zones are rest, preparation, and personal time. Each zone serves a purpose and ensures that all your needs are being covered. In the rest zone, we are going to dedicate time to recharge physically and mentally. This means sleeping in, watching your favorite show, or even enjoying some quiet downtime. Next we have the preparation zone. Use this time for activities that set you up for a smoother week, like meal prep, reviewing your calendar, or tidying up your space. The third zone is a personal time zone. Spend this time block doing something you love, like pursuing a hobby, going out with friends, or enjoying family time. By dividing your weekend in this way, you ensure that no area is neglected. We want to make sure that we prioritize rest without guilt. Rest isn't lazy, it's essential. Using part of your weekend to give your mind and body a break they deserve. This could mean sleeping in one day, taking a long walk, simply lounging with the good book. The key is to make rest intentional. Remind yourself that resting now fuels your productivity for the week ahead. We want to prepare for the week ahead. Preparation is what transforms Monday from being overwhelming to manageable. So choose a few simple tasks that will lighten your load for the week. Some ideas include planning your meals and grocery shopping, reviewing your schedule and setting priorities. Decluttering your workspace or your home. This doesn't need to take the whole entire weekend. Just one to two hours can make a huge difference. Don't forget to schedule time for activities that bring you joy, whether it's exploring a new hiking trail, having brunch with friends, or indulging in a creative hobby. These moments are what make your weekend feel special. Joy is just as important as rest and preparation and helping you reset and recharge. Balancing rest, preparation, and personal time creates a weekend that's both restorative and productive. You'll head into the new week feeling refreshed. Organized and ready to tackle your goals. Plus, having a plan ensures that you're intentional with your time instead of letting the weekend slip by. Here are your action steps for your weekend plan. You're going to divide your weekend into three zones. Rest, preparation, and personal time. You're going to prioritize intentional rest without guilt. It's essential for your energy. You're going to spend a few hours preparing for the week ahead to reduce stress. And you're going to make space for joy and activities that bring you fulfillment. Your weekend doesn't have to feel like a battle between work and rest. With this plan, you can reset, recharge, and get ready for the week without overthinking. You've got this.