Whether or not you actually cross anything off of that to-do list is another story. Blame it on years of schooling that taught you to behave all week and maybe you can go to your friend's birthday party or the movies on Saturday.
Put aside your notion of the weekends as the only reason to wake up on Monday mornings and you'll see that working on Saturday and Sunday can actually be good for you. You just have to change the way you think.
At your convenience
Part of the beauty of the weekend is that you don't have to worry about someone else taking up your time. On a Tuesday, for example, everyone else is working, which means they're probably coming to you with problems or trying to schedule face time with you. A weekend workday lets you get things done on your own terms without interruptions.
Reduce weekday stress
Although you're used to seeing the weekends as a two-day detox from work, Saturday and Sunday can lower your stress level during the week. As much as we'd like to think everyone's schedules revolve around our own, we know from experience that's not true. Personal obligations, such as your spouse's office party, your child's school play, a night at the opera or even a happy hour that goes overtime, can interfere with productivity Monday through Friday.
If you're able and willing to work on the weekend, you can handle weekday disruptions without panicking. If you have a project due in a week, then any time you lose today working on it can be made up later. Tell yourself that what's not finished today can be taken care of on time and you'll be fine.
Extra money
Weekend work can bring you extra money in two different ways. First, if you have a job where overtime pay applies to Saturday and Sunday shifts, you're earning more money than you would in a regular workday.
Another way to fatten your wallet is to take an extra job. If your weekday job isn't the kind of position that needs weekend work, you can find a part-time job to fill that extra time. You'll not only make more money, but you'll also add skills and experience to your résumé.
Learn time management
For some workers, going into the office or working from home on a Saturday morning isn't an inconvenience because they don't let it dominate the day. If you want to squeeze in a few extra hours of work or want to get ahead for the next week, you can use some of your weekend without sacrificing it all. For example, get up early on Saturday and block off a few hours so that you know you need to be done by noon so you can go to a movie or to watch your child's soccer game.
When you know that getting distracted from your work will result in less time for yourself or your family, you're more likely to work hard. You might realize that those few early morning hours on the weekend are more productive than a full workday.
A better reputation
A good balance between your job and personal life is a must, so you don't want to talk yourself into working seven days a week without a break just to be known as the office workaholic. However, if you're willing to give up a little bit of your time once in a while -- maybe one Saturday a month or a few hours of your Sunday every few months -- in order to finish a project or lend a hand to the boss, your efforts will be recognized.
If your job isn't a 9-to-5 position and you work evenings or only certain days, your co-workers might ask you to cover their shifts once in a while. Although you might always have the weekends off and be tempted to tell them no, picking up weekend work gives you the extra money mentioned above, and it also shows you're a team player. Plus, you could find out that you prefer working on the weekends and being off during the week so that you can enjoy your time off while everyone else is toiling away at their jobs.
By Anthony Balderrama writer and blogger for CareerBuilder.com. He researches and writes about job search strategy, career management, hiring trends and workplace issues.
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