I used to absolutely dread Mondays. In my previous role, the beginning of each week typically meant payroll processing issues, which meant angry customers, which meant angry emails for me to unpack. It also greeted me with leftover escalations from Friday and phone calls I had to make for things I didn’t have answers to or that were beyond my control. The weekends were never long enough.
Truth is, there will always be days when some of us wake up to a little disappointment that the weekend is over. But if we actively work on our mindset, tweak our perspective, and become actively engaged in things that feed our mental wellness, our outlook can begin to improve. Here are some ways I’ve started doing so that you can also try, starting today, not next Monday.
1. Planning my week ahead of time, including my personal development.
~Scheduling time on my calendar to invest in myself for more knowledge in my area of expertise, even if it’s just for 30 minutes a day, gives me something to look forward to going into the week.
2. Reminding myself of what I accomplished or learned the week before.
~Had the weekend lasted forever I would’ve been in indefinite relaxation mode instead of growth & prosperity planning mode.
3. Remembering my purpose and that I am needed and have value.
~It’s easy to forget this, if your line of work isn’t always surrounded by positive feedback, recognition, and gratitude. The job challenges give you thick skin, people to serve, things to learn, problems to solve, food on your table, a roof over your head, and whatever you need to live your life on the weekends- until you land in a career where you feel at home.
4. Using Benefits or Employee Perks that I didn’t have before or didn’t make time to use.
~I also now look forward to each workday for the 15 minutes of peaceful meditation that I get to practice. Of course, I could meditate on evenings or weekends if I wanted to. But it’s refreshing to know that I can also take a break during my workday for something good for myself, which in turn makes my day more productive and gives me additional peace of mind. It is a perk offered by my employer & on my work calendar and I try not to compromise on that block of break time. The results of my mini meditation sessions have convinced me to meditate for the rest of my life and teach the technique to my daughter.
5. I’m investing downtime in myself.
~I’ve also scheduled myself for personal development workshops offered by my employer that are of topics of interest I enjoy and supplement my professional development. This allows me to bring my whole self into my work efforts and my personal life. Maximize your potential…
6. Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) have become a blessing in disguise.
~I’ve attended the majority of the events my job has offered through our ERGs, allowing me to meet remarkable people (internal & external) and learn several things from them and about them that I would’ve otherwise never known. The value I've gained in my mental wellness by simply participating as an employee will last indefinitely. My contributions as an ERG Leader are also allowing me to exercise my creative muscle while serving others, so it is a win/win.
7. There is something to be said about meeting on camera. You connect more authentically with your contacts. Rewind to the previous role I mentioned above. As the years passed and the burnout increased, all I wanted to do was hide. Stress and burnout has a weird way of rearing its head, and staying off camera helped me cope. Or so I thought. In hindsight, mentally preparing myself to be on camera daily, as I do now, might have encouraged me to look my absolute best so that I could feel my absolute best (or fake it until it worked), no matter what challenges came my way any given day.
I implore you to please start using what is offered to you, especially when it’s free to you. Reap all the rewards.
Don’t let your perceptions, negative thoughts, or potentially negative situations own your day before Monday, or that day, even arrives. Look forward to each day, especially Monday. The beginning of each week gives you an opportunity to reset, recalibrate, and redirect the remainder of your year, starting with the week in front of you. Every day is a gift if you allow it to be.
To help you get started with maximizing your Mondays and planning your weeks, months, and LIFE, below are some of my favorite planners I’ve purchased from small businesses on Amazon. I’ve used both planners, but I’m currently working through my Legend Pro.
P.S. It’s never too late to get re-started with your newfound perspective.
Clever Fox Planner: https://amzn.to/3IJbB2i
Legend Pro Planner: https://amzn.to/3PrzNK6
Sincerely,
Jenny Campos
*As an Amazon Associate, I earn commission from qualifying purchases, at no additional cost to you.