14 things successful people do over holiday weekends

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Thanksgiving is almost here, and a lot of people have taken a few days off from work to travel, spend time with family, or just relax and recharge.

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At this point, most successful people have planned out (or at least thought about) what they'll do over the next three days.

"Successful people recognize how important it is to take advantage of a long weekend to refuel their passions and recharge their batteries," says Michael Kerr, an international business speaker and author of "The Humor Advantage."

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They work extra hard the days leading up to a holiday weekend in order to maximize their leisure time, adds 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."

They also compartmentalize any work-related tasks that slip into their days off, separating them from their coveted leisure time. "They know that if the two blend into each other, they'll likely feel cheated afterward," she says.

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Planning ahead for a holiday weekend is important because you don't want to squander the relatively rare opportunity to decompress from the office.

Taylor explains: "These extended weekends are different from the regular weekend because you know you have extra time to relax, tie up loose ends personally, catch up with important people in your life, or get ahead on a project. And time is a nonrenewable resource. How you spend it should be consistent with what you need to accomplish short- and long-term to be content."

Not sure how to make the most of the next few days? We've got some ideas.

Here are 14 things successful people do before and over holiday weekends: