My weekends used to really suck.

On Friday evening I create a massive 2-column list of things to do for the weekend. When this list of drudgery makes it way out to the living room my children gather around and go "ohhh the impossible list is here." The list screams "the boring weekend is here."

But not anymore.

Oh, the list still lives - but it no longer dominates our lives. Instead I've instituted a simple "3F framework" to help us win at the weekend. You will transform your weekends (and that of your family) if you prioritize each one of the Fs this and every weekend.

Let's get started.

Fun

By far the biggest omission in my "impossible list" was something fun.

The first thing you (and if you have a spouse or partner) need to do is schedule something fun. It could be a tennis match, a run, or maybe even laser tag. And it doesn't have to be a physical activity - it could be a coffee meetup with friends or a night on the town.

Why do we work so hard if can't do something fun on the weekend?

Family

We spend so much time running the household that it's easy to drop family activities.

This does not have to be Disney! It could be a simple as taking your kids to the park, the baseball diamond, or playing a board game as a family. Don't skip family time - we have a finite number of weekends with our children.

Now for the finale.

Future

The weekend can provide an opportunity for you to think about the big picture - without all the endless responsibilities that clutter the week.

This exercise can be as straight forward as reviewing your week ahead, and making sure that you are setup for a productive week at work. It could also include taking stock of your financial picture and deciding steps you need to take next. It could also be an opportunity for you and your spouse or partner to discuss or revisit the dreams you are working towards.

Hopefully this has been helpful, and please remember to avoid being beholden to an "impossible list" this weekend and instead prioritize fun, family, and your future!