What did you do last weekend? If the answer is same old, same old--or even worse, you spent the weekend working--then it's time to make sure this weekend is different. Your brain needs rest, stimulation, social connection, and a break from your work routine in order to function at its best. So if you want to be really productive next week, and to do the best, most creative work you can, how you spend your weekend makes a big difference.

　　上周末你都做了些什么事情?如果你的回答是“还是老样子”，甚至更糟糕——整个周末都在干活，那么本周末你就该做点不一样的事情了。你的大脑需要休息，激发活力，建立社会联系，以及从日常工作行程中抽时间休息以达到运作的最佳状态。所以如果你真心想在下周的工作中创造力满满，发挥最佳水平，那么合理利用周末的时间便很有必要了。

　　Here are some things you should make sure to do:

　　下面是一些在周末完成便能使下周工作动力满满的事情：

　　1.Disconnect from work for at least 24 hours.

　　1. 远离工作至少24小时。

　　Even if you can't take the entire weekend off, make sure to have at least one whole day with no work in it at all. This is advice I had trouble following myself when I first got it a few years ago. But I stuck with it and now I take at least one full day off every weekend because I see how much difference it makes. Three weeks ago I couldn't--I had gotten very behind on a big project and I had no choice but to work through the whole weekend. I'm still feeling the resulting productivity loss.

　　If you need to or want to spend some time during the weekend planning and preparing for the coming week, that's fine.

　　即使你不能在周末完全休假，确保至少有一整天时间摆脱任何工作。这是笔者多年前遇到这种周末工作问题时获得的建议。不过我一直坚持这个习惯，而如今我每周都可以至少抽出一整天时间来休息，因为我发现了其中的意义。三周前我无法摆脱原先每周工作的命运，因为我正跟进一项非常重大的项目，我别无选择只能在周末的时候完成这件项目。如今我仍然觉得那样会导致创造力缺失。如果你需要或希望在周末花点时间计划或准备下周的工作任务，那也是没有关系的。

　　2.Rest and relax.

　　2.休息放松。

　　If you don't get enough sleep during the week, make sure you get all the sleep you need during the weekend. Even when you're awake, take some of your time off to do something you find completely relaxing.

　　如果平常工作日你无法获得足够的睡眠，那就保证在周末的时候补偿回来。即使你处于醒着的状态，你也可以花点时间做点让你完全轻松下来的事情。

　　3.Take your family skiing.

　　3.带上家人去滑雪。

　　Do I mean that literally? Not quite. But here's what I do mean: You need to spend time with people you care about, which could be your close friends, spouse, partner, or kids. You need to get exercise, you need to get outdoors, you need to do something you enjoy, and you need to do something that challenges you in some way.

　　真的带家人去滑雪吗?不是的，我的意思是，你得花点时间与你关心的人相处，可能是你的好朋友，配偶，伙伴或孩子。你得参与体育锻炼，走出家门，做点自己乐在其中的事情，做点具有挑战性的事情。

　　4.Read.

　　4.阅读。

　　I don't just mean the reading you have to do anyway for work. Read things that expand your mind, deliver new ideas, or let you see the world from a different point of view. You could read a romance for pleasure. The more you vary your reading, the better off you'll be.

　　我的意思不是说你得读与工作相关的书籍。而是阅读那些能够拓展思维，传递新信息，或者让你以新的视角观看世界的书籍。你也可以阅读一本浪漫的小说。你所阅读的书籍种类越多，你的内心就富有。

　　If you're one of those people who hates to read, then find another way to stimulate your brain with new information and new ideas. This could be watching a documentary or going out to a concert or talk. The point is that your brain needs the nourishment that only new material can provide.

　　如果你讨厌阅读，那就寻找另外一个能够通过新信息和想法以刺激大脑的方法。可以观看一部纪录片或参与一场音乐会或讨论会。重点是只有新信息才能提供营养滋润你的大脑。

　　Do these simple things, and you'll get back to work on Monday with a new level of energy and engagement. Which means your weekend will have been very well spent.

　　做做这几件简单的小事情，那么下周一上班时你就达到了能量的新高度与参与度。这就意味着你的周末过得非常充实。

（编辑：何莹莹）