17 things successful people do over long weekends

young couple dog winter fun man woman

• In honor of Martin Luther King Jr. Day, some people are celebrating with a long weekend.

• Business Insider reached out to some experts on how to set yourself up for success when you have an extra day off.

• Their suggestions focused on prioritizing tasks, setting technology guidelines, and spending time with loved ones.

Martin Luther King Jr. Day is here, and that could mean you have an extra day off to add to your normal weekend.

But how should you spend your long weekend?

If you're not sure how to make the most of the next few days, we've got some ideas.

In addition to honoring the life and legacy of the Civil Rights leader, here are 17 things successful people can do before and over long weekends:

DON'T MISS: 14 sleeping habits of unsuccessful people

1. They plan ahead

Many successful people plan out their activities for the holiday weekend well in advance so that they are not drawn into the temptation of working, said Michael Kerr, an international business speaker and author of "The Humor Advantage." They make reservations, book tee times, or schedule activities with their kids.

"They're strategic enough to have an action plan for the three-day weekend, but flexible enough to tackle any urgent work issues that may arise," said Lynn Taylor, a national workplace expert and the author of "Tame Your Terrible Office Tyrant: How to Manage Childish Boss Behavior and Thrive in Your Job."

2. They prepare at work

"Most of what they do happens before they leave for a long weekend so that they are psychologically free to relax and enjoy it," Kerr said.

This includes saying proper goodbyes to colleagues, cleaning up their office, finishing any pressing tasks, and creating a clear plan of action for when they return to the office so they can hit the ground running.

3. They unplug

Not only do they set guidelines, but truly successful people actually put their phones and laptops away — at least for part of the weekend.

Don't sit and stare at screens during your time off. Unplug and try to use as little technology as possible. It will help you sleep better and can keep your mind clear.

See the rest of the story at Business Insider