(NEWS): Celebrities and Their Financial Misfortunes (MUST READ)

Over the years in Nigeria, we have seen artiste and sports men who were once living large as a result of their huge income, return to poverty within a decade. NOP observed that this trend is resurrecting again as some musicians and actors that were seen as comfortable few years back now struggle to feed.
This eye-opening piece will tell you why and how these things happen and what to do…

Legendary singer Dionne Warwick has filed for bankruptcy. In a statement last week, her publicist said the singer’s filing was “due to several consecutive years of negligent and gross financial mismanagement.”
Dionne Warwick’s success began in 1962 with “Don’t Make Me Over,” followed by 18 consecutive Top 100 singles. Her repertoire includes “say a little prayer”, “I know I’ll never love this way again” and numerous others. Since she did not write her most famous songs she has not benefited from the significant royalties that songwriters, Burt Bacharach and Hal David did.

Even though the singer has worked for over fifty years and sold over 100 million albums and 30 million singles, it is alarming to read that she, at 72 years old, must continue to work hard and give live performances to keep earning to supplement her income from social security and a pension. Dionne Warwick will always be a legend; she is a truly gifted singer, and she leaves a legacy of some of the world’s greatest music.

This is yet another sorry tale that graphically illustrates the far too common “riches to rags” saga [of celebrities]. There are some common threads that run through the reasons why so many high earning celebrities such as musicians, actors, and sportsmen go broke.

(ARTICLE): 15 strange facts about kissing

Kissing can definitely lead to emotional bonding, which is why men who seek shorter relationships are hesitant to stay in a woman’s bed after sex to cuddle.

#15 Hormones abound

Did you know that open-mouth kissing allows for the transfer of hormones from a man to a woman? Mucus membranes in the mouth are permeable to hormones like testosterone, which a man can introduce into a woman’s mouth through kissing. The testosterone then increases arousal in the woman, which leads to higher chances of sex!

#14 Make or break

Remember the scene in “27 Dresses” where Katherine Heigl’s character finally kisses her crush/boss and she says it just doesn’t feel right? That’s because kissing is the ultimate “mate assessment tool” that allows us to find a partner who we are genetically compatible with. That’s why first kisses can make or break a relationship. Biology can determine whether two people are compatible or not.

#13 Burning up

Like most physical activity we encounter on a daily basis, kissing burns calories. A quick romantic kiss is said to help burn around 2 to 3 calories while a passionate kiss can burn 5 or more calories. That means the longer and more passionate the kiss, the more calories are burned.

#12 A healthy kiss

The taste and smell of a person’s mouth can signal health issues — both in general (to a doctor, for example) and to the partner. Women seek signs of a healthy partner that can provide security for them and their future children. Men, on the other hand, seek healthy women to become mothers and raise their offspring.

(ARTICLE): Ladies: How To Trick Men Into Thinking You Have Big-Breasts

1

• Wear a push-up bra with lined cups to help boost your breasts. Choose one with a firm strap that will help lift your breasts from the front as you fasten it. You can also try twisting the part between the bra cups in order to squeeze your breasts together, making them look bigger.

2

• Use makeup to make your breasts look rounder and fuller. Prepare a blush that is the same shade as your skin tone. Brush your chosen shade onto the upper curving outline of your breasts, using a thick brush. The stroke of your brush should be done in a side-to-side, wiper-like motion. Make sure to keep both sides even. Then get a thinner brush and apply a slightly lighter shade on the center (where your cleavage is), using up-and-down strokes. Experiment until you get the look you desire.

3

• Doll up with the right type of clothing. Go for tops that will accentuate your breasts, such as tube tops. Tube tops not only show the fullness of your breasts, but also throw emphasis onto your neckline and shoulders. Avoid tops with round and plunging necklines, as they will only make your breasts look smaller.

4

• Put on a little weight. Breasts are known to store fat, so flat breasts will get fuller with a little added fat. But make sure to go slowly and keep your diet in balance, if you consider doing this method.

5

• Go invasive. chest implants are the fastest way to own a bigger set of breasts. There is no need to cross your fingers and hope for it to work; it is an instant process that will surely enhance your chest size. But be cautious when choosing the surgeon to handle your surgery. Pick the most experienced one to avoid complications. And, if you do opt for a cosmetic surgery, you’ll need to save up a lot of money.

(ARTICLE): For Men: How To Make Your Woman Beg You For Regular S*X

In any marriage setting, one of the things that gets a man excited and makes him feel like a real man is when his wife is all over him for s*x.

It makes a man feel like a real man; a champion. But when the reverse is the case, he feels unfulfilled.

In reality, most men don’t get to the point where their wives practically and eagerly want to have s*x with them. Rather, it is always the opposite; having to plead, pressurize, pamper, get moody, fight their wives for something that normally is for their mutual enjoyment. In worse cases, the resolve may be to r*pe her in order to have his s*xual need fulfilled.

This is so because a large percentage of men have not discovered the secret of making a woman beg for s*x. When a man discovers that secret, his wife, who seems uninterested in s*x, will be practically seeking for opportunities to have s*x with him.

This could range from cuddling him, giving him his favourite meals regularly, being ever ready to relieve his pains, taking pressures of life off him, sharing his burden and doing everything possible to keep him healthy. Really, there is no end to the sacrifices a wife can make to get her man to have s*x with him. A woman will do all that for s*x because her husband has discovered the secret I am about to share with you.

(ARTICLE): 5 facts about the vagina that you may not know

                      

Most women feel that they know their body and how it works. There are some facts however that may be lost on most about the vagina.

1. The vagina has a pH level. A healthy pH level is between 3.5 and 4.5. There are many outside factors that can change the pH level. When outside factors such as blood, semen, lubricant, or bacterial vaginosis are introduced, the pH level drops, making it become more acidic. The pH drops naturally when ovulation is happening  so that a few “little swimmers” will be able to reach the egg for fertilization.

(ARTICLE): The top 5 places to meet a good man

Have you ever heard the expression, “birds of a feather flock together?” Well, remember you are only one introduction away from meeting the man of your dreams.

Good guys are out there. Knowing where to go to find one is one of the keys to your dating success.

Have you ever uttered one of the following questions:

Where do I go to meet a good man?

How do I get a guy to fall in love with me?

If you have you’re not alone. These two questions are hands down the two most common questions I hear from single women.

The good news is that according to the latest research there are more than 20 Million single men in the US alone. So ladies, they are out there. The key to finding them is to know where they tend to congregate.

Finding a good man is a lot like trying to land a prize fish. First, you have to know what kind of fish you are looking for.

If you wanted an Alaskan Salmon, throwing your fishing line into the Gulf of Mexico probably isn’t going to land you the desired prize. I’m not saying you won’t land a fish, you probably will. It’s just that it won’t be the fish you are looking for.

Once you identify what kind of Man/fish you are looking for you need to figure out where that type tends to hang out. The good news is that men, like fish tend to have predictable habits and tend to congregate in the same, predictable locations.

Your job is to understand where those places are to know how to “catch” em.
note*** we’ll discuss the “How” in a future article.

For now we want to focus on understanding the hot spots where the type of guy you are looking for might be.

(ARTICLE): 13 tips on getting rid of that body odour

                                               

Yes, it’s annoying, but sweating and body odour is not something to be afraid of. Sweating is actually good for you, and body odour can easily be prevented.

Body odour is natural and is usually caused by sweating, though the intensity may defer in different people depending on lifestyle and personal hygiene. When you are hot, feel nervous, or start exercising, you are likely to sweat more. This is your body’s way of regulating your inner temperature. Yes, it’s annoying, but sweating and body odour is not something to be afraid of. Sweating is actually good for you, and body odour can easily be prevented.

CAUSES OF BODY ODOUR

Body odour is caused by a mixture of sweat secreted by the sweat glands and bacteria.

This happens mostly in the axillary (armpit) region and the genital region, although the gland can also be found in the areola and around the navel. The armpit regions seem more important than the genital region for body odour. The armpit contains springy hair that helps diffuse the smell.

WAYS TO PREVENT BODY ODOUR

(ARTICLE):5 foods that will make you smarter

Eat your way to a better IQ with these brain-boosting foods

Got a big exam coming up, a difficult problem to solve, or just fancy adding a few points to your IQ? Then try adding these foods to your shopping basket to give your brain a boost.

Brain boosting food 1: Oily fish
If you struggle to remember what day it is or what you had for dinner an hour ago, consider stocking up on the ultimate brain food, oily fish. Omega-3 fatty acids – found in oily fish such as salmon, mackerel and sardines – are invaluable for just about every part of our body, and it seems our brains are no different. Researchers from the University of Kuopio in Finland found that eating oily fish three times a week reduces the risk of brain problems by 26 per cent and prevents against memory loss.

Brain boosting food 2: Dark, leafy greens
Dark, leafy greens such as spinach, kale and broccoli are packed with antioxidants, including vitamin C and beta-carotene, which are essential to keep your body and brain in good health. They are also a good source of folate, which can help to speed up information processing and memory recall. Research results published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition also indicated that the folate found in leafy green vegetables can help to protect against cognitive decline in old age.

Brain boosting food 3: Eggs
Egg yolks are nutritional powerhouses packed with many vitamins and minerals essential for good brain function.  This cheap and versatile ingredient is a good source of iron, which is essential for creating red blood cells which carry oxygen to the brain, helping to keep your mental faculties sharp and to keep you alert and focused. Eggs are also a good source of vitamin B12 – a deficiency of which can lead to memory loss and confusion – and iodine, which has been shown to improve problem-solving abilities even in only mildly deficient children.

Brain boosting food 4: Green tea
As your brain is made up of around 80 per cent water, keeping it properly hydrated is vital for helping it to function at optimum levels. However, if you’re not a fan of regular water, swapping it for a cup of green tea could have added benefits for your brain. A Korean study has found that green tea can help to increase mental alertness and enhance your memory. Researchers have also found that the antioxidants found in green tea can help to protect the brain and reduce risk of dementia.

Brain boosting food 5: Chocolate
No, it’s not just wishful thinking – chocolate really is good for you! While chomping on bars of milk chocolate is unlikely to improve your IQ score, dark chocolate is rich in brain-boosting chemicals, called flavonoids, which can enhance your cognitive skills. Research has found that flavonoids induce the creation of new neurons in the brain and also improve their ability to form new memories. Studies also show that flavonoids improve blood flow to the brain. One study of adult women found that when given flavonoid-rich chocolate drinks, the blood flow to participants’ brains increased within two hours and they performed better on a complex mental task.

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Read full article at Real Buzz

(ARTICLE): I just cheated on you – Diary of a stupid boyfriend

If you are in today’s world then you would understand that cheating is one big business amongst those in relationship. People cheat for fun. Fucking demons! 

If you cheat as a man when you are in a relationship with a Nigerian girl, you are one fucking bastard. Oops! Those words again. If you are caught, shit! You actually become a potato, trust me. Cheating destroys the very foundation that any relationship stands on. It’s like, you are standing over an ocean with the help of a mat and then the mat is withdrawn. Oops! Again, you would need some Jesus with that.

If you are in today’s world then you would understand that cheating is one big business amongst those in relationship. People cheat for fun. Fucking demons! You dig a lot of chics and you are a champion when they fall to your great techniques of wooing. Imagine that. The heart of any man is devastated when he discovers that his girlfriend cheats. Hmm. And the fragile heart of a woman is made even more fragile when subjected to such pains. She cries and remembers all the poetry you had read to her and the stupid promises you made. Bastard!

I am a stupid boyfriend and I shouldn’t cheat. If I think of it I am dead. You don’t cheat on your Nigerian girlfriend. Nope, no law may hold you responsible but I know quite a lot that will. If she catches you, you will lose your penis. Ask anyone.

The Nigerian woman doesn’t need to waste your stupid, nonsensical life, it is of no use. She would make you useless by taking away that very thing that would not obey the law of urination, alone. A Nigerian woman loves her husband quite well, but like the proverb goes, the same set of teeth that the lion trains his young; it is with same that he tears his enemies.

Any day you cheat and you are caught, please beg your neighbours to help you dig a grave. Use any money you have and buy a miserable casket for your useless self. It is better when you die suicidal than when a sensitive organ is hacked out.

One day I was there at home, alone and jobless. Then the devil appeared in a skimpy skirt and a singlet on my Facebook page. I liked it. I went through as many photos that were available. And when you use aniphone going through photos is just a swipe away. I did swipe through the photos and then accepted the request and got chatting. We exchanged contacts and she told me she was visiting Nigeria for the first time since she was born, and she would love me to take her around. Imagine me. I gladly awaited her. When I finished the session, I turned around to ask for a cup of water when I saw someone looking down on me, with villain eyes.  It was the clear eyeballs of my girlfriend. She had followed my activities without even a sneeze. She told me she saw all I did. You should have seen me stammering through all I wanted to say. I could not believe that I had fallen to a common devilish plan of some stupid stranger who had lured me into a pit. I looked around for a bottle of Holy Water to sprinkle so I may wake up from the dream, or maybe rectify the situation but it was so real.

 Never attempt to cheat on a Nigerian woman. She is more sensitive than any technology you can think of, besides, women know themselves. A Nigerian woman doesn’t need to ask so many questions. All she needs to do is to walk a few steps closer to you, inhale the filthy cologne from your pathetic concubine and then declare her findings. What happened when a busy-bodied concubine opens her phone at a party and then there is a squeal and it is obvious you have something unofficial going on? You are dead brother.

The Nigerian man should enjoy what he sees. I have not seen an ugly Nigerian woman. If she is height-robbed she would compliment with large a backside and very tempting sumptuous boobs. If she isn’t smart enough she would be a great cook. You are never totally lost.

When you obey a Nigerian woman your days on earth are longer. You can be proud of anything. You will even make heaven. The Nigerian woman is highly ranked anywhere and a respect to her adds more mark even in the realm of spirituality. Show her love. If an almost nude lady asks you a question, pretend to be deaf and dumb. Allow her to go away with her trouble. Don’t you know why the Bible wants you to cut off the hand that causes you to sin? It is bad. Slap yourself and admire that girlfriend of yours. Compliment her always. A Nigerian girlfriend is a special woman anywhere.

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Nwilo Bura-Bari Vincent writes from Port Harcourt. 

(ARTICLE): 5 phrases Christians shouldn’t say

Sometimes I curse.  I don’t pepper my language liberally with curse words like people might pepper a house salad, but sometimes I curse.

It surprises people to hear that pastors sometimes curse.  But really, that’s all I can do sometimes.  When you see terrible tragedy where you have absolutely no response other than sadness and despair, cursing happens…because you can do nothing else.

Likewise, sometimes when I see utter beauty a word will slip through my lips, brought from the very depths of my emotional being where words live only to be used in situations where no word seems appropriate.  Usually that’s a curse, too.

Pastors sometimes curse.  Christians sometimes curse.

And, really, I hear things slip from Christian mouths with reckless abandon that I believe are far worse than curse words.  Here are just 5 (there are undoubtedly more):

5) “That’s not Christian…”

I’ve heard this a lot.  I once told a person that I meditated.  They responded, “Well, that’s not Christian you know…”

Sigh.

See, the problem with that line of thinking is that it narrows what can be identified with living a life in Christ.  Rob Bell does a great job in his book Velvet Elvis on dissecting the danger in turning the word “Christian” from a noun (as it’s used in the Bible) into an adjective. In the noun form, a Christian is a follower of Christ.  In the adjective form, it describes an action…presumably an action that a follower of Christ should/shouldn’t do, and therefore sets up categories that have definite barriers. And in doing so, it implies some judgment that is unwarranted at best and untrue at worst.  Consider these phrases that I’ve actually heard:

“It’s not Christian to fire that person.” (Implication: A Christian can’t do some things because they’re seen as “mean”)

“It’s not Christian to think those sexual thoughts.” (Implication: A Christian isn’t sexual, or if they are, they don’t think about it because God hates sex and real Christians can control such things)

“You can’t do yoga!  It’s not a Christian practice…” (Implication: A Christian can’t borrow from other faith traditions…or, apparently, stretch with intentional breathing on rubber mats)

“You can’t get a tattoo; it’s unchristian to defile the temple of God.” (Implication: God has an opinion about the tribal band around your ankle)

People say it all the time, and while a generous interpretation of their words might be to assume they are calling a specific action/thought into question, the reality is that they just end up calling the person doing that thought/action “unchristian”…to hurtful consequences.  For those questioning or skeptical of faith, it erects another barrier, and further narrowly defines who is in or out of a relationship with God.

What if someone were to say, “It’s unchristian to make that amount of money”? Or, “It’s unchristian to have a house that large because you really don’t need that much space”?

We should ban “Christian” in the adjective form.  We can’t use it with any consistency.

4) “I love the sinner but I hate the sin..”

Great.

See, the problem that I have with this phrase is that it assumes that “sin” is a specific action that is done/can be undone.  If that’s the case, name the specific action that you hate.

“I love you, Tommy, but I don’t like it when you break my glasses.”  “I love you, Sarah, but I don’t like it when you kick my shins.”

But really, I haven’t heard this phrase used in those ways.  I’ve only heard it used when people are talking about identity.

“I love gay people, I just hate that they act on their homosexual orientation…”

There we go.  There’s an honest statement.

And an unhelpful one.

It’s unhelpful because, you can’t love me apart from my sexuality.  I really don’t think you can.  It’s part of what makes me who I am, even if it’s not the whole of my definition.  So, if you were to say to me, “I love you, but I hate that you’re heterosexual…” I would probably stop listening right then and there because, well, I wouldn’t believe you.

You can’t love me and yet hate an essential part of me.  This phrase is disingenuous.

3) “You need to surround yourself with some good Christian people…“

I once had a well-meaning friend tell me this when I was trying to sort out a problem.  I think they were suggesting that I seek faith-based advice.  I understand that sentiment.

But one of the problems with this sort of thinking is that, well, when you live in a bubble all you breathe is soapy air, and you may begin to think that is all there is.

As a pastor, people want me to have office hours at church.  But in all seriousness, I can’t all the time.  If I don’t go to the coffee house a couple times a week, I suffocate in my bubble.  I need diversity because it is only in diversity where my thoughts, beliefs,  and ideas are challenged.

And really, if I only see Christians all the time, I’m a pretty crappy pastor.

It is narrow to believe that somehow surrounding yourself with only one worldview will help you see the world better.

And besides, sometimes Christians surrounded people and then burned them on stakes…

2) “You just have to do God’s will…”

I am utterly suspicious of people who claim to know the specific will of God.

I’m even more suspicious of people who claim that God’s greatest wish is to have us be in a relationship with God.  I think this is where much “praise and worship” music get it’s singular focus.

In the abstract, I get what they’re saying.  I think God does desire for humanity to live in shalom with it’s creator.  But to claim that this will takes precedence over God’s desire to have humanity live in shalomwith one another, and with the environment, and with other creation is, I think, short-sighted.  Theology runs into a similar problem when it focuses so much on “Jesus, Jesus, Jesus” and fails to mention the other persons of the Trinity.

We run into real problems when we begin to think that with regard to specific situations (like, say, my future husband/wife) that God has one will.

I cannot see how that can be true.  I love my wife.  But do I think she’s the only person in the world I could have married?  Do I think that I’m the only person in the world she could have married?  No.  I don’t.  She’s bright, beautiful, and funny.  There are lots of people who would have asked her to marry them (and still might…she’ll just have to say “no”).  Likewise I’m beautiful and funny (jury is out on the “bright”), and could have found another partner.

I just found her and we decided to do this. (It was actually much more complicated than that…and a bit more romantic…)

I hope this gives some freedom to those in the world who believe that there is only one right job, one right spouse, one right school, one right anything that they must find or else they’re missing out on God’s will for their life.

And this leads me to the number one…

1) “It’s all in God’s plan…”

That you lost your baby.  That your sister was murdered.  That you got cancer.  That your life is in shambles.

I really can’t think of a worse thing to say to someone, especially when they’re in pain.

We cannot use God to fill in the gaps between events and the people they effect.  We want to give solace, to promise that there is a purpose behind madness, but if there is one thing that the cross shows us definitively, it’s that God takes the pain in the world and makes resurrection.

But we should not think that this means that God makes the world’s pain, or the specific pain in a person’s life.  It’s an important distinction.

One of the reasons I left faith for a while was because I had heard too many times that God was flipping switches on people: causing children to die, cancer to spread, poverty to happen, etc.

Not only do I think that saying this to someone is adding hurt to hurt, I think it breaks the second commandment.  When we say such things, we use God’s name in vain; we use it “uselessly” as the word is better translated.

So when you’re confronted with the news of your friend’s tragedy or a relative’s pain, stand in solidarity with them and scream, “Dammit!” I’m a reluctant Christian at times because I think that those who call themselves Christian don’t think enough about their words.

Frankly, I wish they’d just curse more.

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Read full article at Reluctant Xtian

(ARTICLE): 14 things successful people do on weekends

Spencer Rascoff is only 37. Yet, the Harvard grad and father of three has already accomplished so much.

He co-founded Hotwire.com and served as a VP for Expedia; he held the roles of CFO, vice president of marketing and COO at Zillow; and in 2008, Rascoff was promoted to chief executive of the popular real estate information site.

Wondering how the Zillow CEO has achieved and maintained his success? His weekend routine has something to do with it.

“My weekends are an important time to unplug from the day-to-day and get a chance to think more deeply about my company and my industry,” Rascoff says. “Even when I’m technically not working, I’m always processing in the background and thinking about the company. Weekends are a great chance to reflect and be more introspective about bigger issues.”

He says he always spends weekends with his family. “Even if I’m on the road on a Friday and have to be back in that same city the following week, I always come home no matter what.”

Laura Vanderkam, author of What the Most Successful People Do Before Breakfast(Portfolio, 2012) and What the Most Successful People Do on the Weekend (Portfolio, 2012), says successful people know that weekends are actually the secret weapon in professional success. “You need to hit Monday ready to go,” she says. “To do that, you need weekends that rejuvenate you, rather than exhaust or disappoint you. Cross-training makes you a better athlete, and likewise, exercise, volunteer work, spiritual activities, and hands-on parenting make you a better worker than if you just worked all the time.”

Executive coach Dale Kurow, M.S., says successful people usually spend their weekends participating in a “combination of family activities with their kids and spouse, errands, and creative activities to exercise the right side of their brain.”

Penelope Trunk, a career coach and author of Brazen Careerist: The New Rules for Success, adds: “A highly successful person is very focused on what they want to be doing. The weekend and the week look very similar: They are focused on creating the life they want.”

So who are “successful people,” and what exactly are they doing on weekends?

Sometimes success is defined by an internal compass, says Marsha Egan, a board certified professional coach.

“A successful person is usually one who has achieved a measure of happiness and fulfillment in their work, family, and spiritual life (however that is defined for the individual),” Kurow adds. “Most successful people need to feel a sense of accomplishment and are self-motivated to tackle the next challenge.”

Roy Cohen, career coach and author of The Wall Street Professional’s Survival Guide, believes success is often defined in two ways: Achieving and exceeding financial milestones or achieving great satisfaction through one’s work. “From my perspective as a career coach, real meaningful success bridges the two–great prosperity combined with real joy and passion for your work.”

Here are 14 things successful people do (or should be doing) on weekends:

1. Make time for family and friends. This is especially important for those who don’t spend much time with their loved ones during the week.

2. Exercise. Everyone needs to do it, and if you can’t work out 4 to 5 days during the workweek, you need to be active on weekends to make up for some of that time, Vanderkam says. It’s the perfect opportunity to clear you mind and create fresh ideas.

“I know an owner of a PR firm who takes walks in the park with his dog to spark ideas about how to pitch a new client, or what angle to take with the press for a story,” Kurow says.

Cohen suggests spin classes and outdoor cycling in the warmer months. “Both are energizing and can be organized among people with shared interests. For example, it is not uncommon for hedge fund folks and Wall Street professionals to ride together on weekends. It is a great way to establish and cultivate relationships based on membership in this elite professional community.”

“Successful people make time for what is important or fun,” Egan adds. “They make space for activities that add to their life balance.”

4. Vacation. Getting away for the weekend provides a great respite from the grind of an intense week at work, Cohen says.

5. Disconnect. The most successful people avoid e-mail for a period of time, Vanderkam says. “I’m not saying the whole weekend, but even just a walk without the phone can feel liberating. I advocate taking a ‘tech Sabbath.’ If you don’t have a specific religious obligation of no-work time, taking Saturday night to mid-day Sunday off is a nice, ecumenical time that works for many people.”

6. Volunteer. “I know a commercial real estate broker who volunteers to help with cook-off events whose proceeds are donated to the Food Bank,” Kurow says. “The volunteer work provides a balance to the heavy analytical work she does all week and fulfills her need to be creative — she designs the promotional material for the non-profit.”

Cohen says a lot of successful people participate in fundraising events. “This is a great way to network and to meet others with similar interests,” he says. “The visibility also helps in branding a successful person as philanthropic.”

7. Avoid chores. Every weekend has a few have-to-dos, but you want these to take the minimum amount of time possible, Vanderkam explains. Create a small window for chores and errands, and then banish them from your mind the rest of the time.

8. Plan. “Planning makes people more effective, and doing it before the week starts means you can hit Monday ready to go, and means you’ll give clear directions to the people who work for you, so they will be ready to go, too,” Vanderkam says.

Trunk agrees. She says successful people plan their month and year because “if you get stuck on short-term lists you don’t get anything big accomplished.”

9. Socialize. “Humans are social creatures, and studies of people’s experienced happiness through the day finds that socializing ranks right up there, not too far down below sex,” Vanderkam says.

Go out with friends and family, or get involved in the local community.

“It has been demonstrated that successful people find great satisfaction in giving back,” Cohen says. “Board membership, for example, also offers access to other successful folks.”

10. Gardening/crafts/games/sports/cooking/cultural activities. This is especially important for those cooped up in an office all week.

“For the pure joy, some folks find great satisfaction in creating beautiful gardens,” Cohen says.

Kurow knows an attorney who uses her weekends to garden and do mosaics and tile work to satisfy her creative side. “Filling her life this way enables her to be refreshed on Monday and ready to tackle the litigation and trial prep work. Artwork for her is fulfilling in a way that feeds her soul and her need to connect with her spiritual side.”

Bridge lessons and groups can also sharpen the mind and often create relationships among highly competitive smart professionals, Cohen says. “I once saw a printout of a bridge club’s membership list; its members were a who’s who of Wall Street.”

Theatre, opera and sporting events can also enrich one’s spirit, he adds.

11. Network. “Networking isn’t an event for a successful person, it’s a lifestyle,” Trunk says. Wherever they go and whatever they do, they manage to connect with new people.

12. Reflect. Egan says truly successful people make time on weekends to appreciate what they have and reflect on their happiness and accomplishments. As Rascoff said, “weekends are a great chance to reflect and be more introspective about bigger issues.”

13. Meditate. Classes and private instruction offer a bespoke approach to insight and peace of mind, Cohen says. “How better to equip yourself for success in this very tough world?”

14. Recharge. We live in a competitive world, Vanderkam says. “Peak performance requires managing downtime, too–with the goal of really recharging your batteries.” That’s how the most successful people get so much done.

Successful people know that time is too precious to be totally leisurely about leisure, Vanderkam concludes. “You’re not going to waste that time by failing to think about what you’d like to do with it, and thus losing the weekend to TV, puttering, inefficient e-mail checking, and chores. If you don’t have a busy workweek, your weekend doesn’t matter so much. But if you’re going from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. every day, it certainly does.”