TSP • @myTSPnet
It’s no secret that Mondays have a horrible reputation. While we had the whole weekend to relax, unplug and recharge, it seems every Monday morning we wake up tired, drained, and quite frankly, dreading the day.
Having a successful Monday may seem impractical, but with some advanced planning, a productive morning and a fresh take on the day, you too can become a Monday master.
PLAN IN ADVANCE
The key to starting your week off on the right foot is a successful end to Friday. Before you leave the office to start your weekend, there are a few things you can do to make your Monday more manageable. For starters, take a moment to go through your emails. Doing one last scan of just the subject lines will give you the ease to know you didn’t miss anything important.
Write down a to-do list for Monday. Pick high priority projects and tasks that will be easy to complete. By setting attainable goals, you’ll increase the chance of checking off all items on the list and have a truly productive Monday. If you missed this on Friday, set aside 15 minutes of your Sunday to get things in order. While it may seem like a waste of your down time, dedicating the slightest bit of time Sunday evening can make all the difference to your Monday.
MAKE THE MOST OF YOUR MORNING
Before you head into the office, we suggest waking up a little earlier to do something for yourself. This could be hitting the gym, reading a book, or sipping a cup of coffee while watching your favorite morning show. In doing so, you’ll go into work having already spent time for yourself. We recommend always doing this on a Monday, but it is also can be a healthy routine to implement every day of the work week.
Once you get into the office, it is time to get focused and get going. While some promote not checking email first thing, this can be an unrealistic request. So, if you do check email first thing, only allot 30 minutes to do so and only respond to high priority requests. From there, close out of your inbox and get going on that to-do list you prepared in advance. Since your ability to focus decreases in the afternoon, work on the high priority projects in the morning and save any simple or monotonous tasks for after lunch.
KEEP UP MORALE
Ultimately, the key to a successful day is keeping a positive outlook all day long. Did you know thinking positively produces serotonin, both creating a sense of well-being and helping your brain function at peak capacity? Simply shifting your mentality can make all the difference. Mondays do mean the end of the weekend, but they also mean a fresh, new start to the week.
When you get to work, take a moment to catch up with colleagues. Simply asking them about their weekend can start their day off on a positive note. Another thing to make your Monday a little better is doing something new – whether it be listening to a different playlist or wearing a new outfit. Finally, having something to look forward to after clocking out can make the whole day much more manageable. This could be a happy hour with friends, a homemade meal or even just your favorite television show.
Making the most of a Monday comes after a shift in both your attitude and your routine. By implementing the above tips (and any other small changes), you can hopefully become a Monday master. Most importantly, just keep in mind that after Monday comes Tuesday…and Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and so on!
