Leadership Thought #417 – Monday Mornings Shouldn’t Bum You Out

I know quite a few people who start feeling depressed on Sunday night simply because they must go to work the next day. Sadly, for many of them, this is a feeling that has existed for years. At this point in my life, I honestly cannot comprehend this state of mind. I haven’t always been thrilled about Monday mornings, but as I have progressed in my career and thought process, I have come to believe that how you feel about Monday mornings is a good indicator of how you feel about your job or career. If you dread Mondays, consider changing your mindset or exploring an alternative path. Life is too short for habitual Sunday night misery.

Here are a few points to help you rethink your attitude toward your job if you regularly deal with the Sunday night blues:

• Take your career seriously – create a plan for advancement.
• Show up with a positive attitude and treat your colleagues courteously, and most will respond in kind – even the most cynical will eventually come around to the positive vibe you are creating if you stick to it.
• Every task you perform serves someone. Try to think about who you are helping and the difference you are making in their life.
• Consider where you feel especially competent and take pride in striving for personal excellence in these areas.
• If you feel incompetent or overwhelmed in a particular area, be honest and ask for help—most people will step up and offer assistance or guidance when asked.
• Try to partner with other people at work who complement your strengths and weaknesses.
• Treat problems as opportunities to demonstrate your skills and abilities rather than petty annoyances or burdens.
• Try to get to know your boss better and fully understand what makes them tick – be a positive resource for them rather than someone who regularly snipes behind their back.
• If you are the boss, take pride in the growth and development of your direct reports and make it your mission to convince people that they are capable of much more than they imagine is possible.
• Don’t be a clock watcher; instead, create a daily “to-do list” and have a plan of accomplishment for each day.
• Allow enough time for commuting difficulties, and budget some time for thinking and getting settled at the start of each day.
• Count your many blessings at the end of every day to reinforce the good things in your life.

There are very few real victims in life. Outside of violent crime, your victimhood is usually a personal choice. Many people have accomplished remarkable things despite humble or disadvantaged beginnings. You are the architect of your own life: good, bad, or otherwise. As an adult, you will dedicate a significant portion of your time to some form of employment. Simply putting in your time and waiting for retirement is a “soul-sucking” way to live. While the future holds no guarantees, it’s essential to make the most of the present.

Related articles

• Can Do (brianwilliamsen.wordpress.com)
• Why Leaders Underperform: Their Default is to Find Fault (psychologytoday.com)
• Specifically, What is the Secret of Life? (rafiaoumaima.wordpress.com)