Start Your Week Right: 3 Key Tips to Make the Most out of Mondays

How many times have we seen or heard people complain about Mondays? It seems like our society nowadays is not excited to start the week, always looking for extra motivation and an extra cup of coffee on a Monday morning.

Even though we’ve heard that success comes with consistency, perseverance and positive attitude, many of us still drag Mondays, hoping that we can pick our activity and motivation up closer to the end of the week.

If you recognize yourself in this picture, remember: Monday is going to come whether you look forward to it or not. Since we can’t choose our circumstances, why don’t we change our attitude to make sure we can tackle each Monday successfully? Here are a few tips that will help you stay more organized and get the most out of your week.

1. Change Your Perspective

You may have heard this phrase, often attributed to Anaïs Nin. This quote reminds us that we often see reality through a lens of our perception: our beliefs and outlooks on the world can influence how we see the world. The same idea can be applied to our attitude towards the start of the week. Starting the day in a bad mood means we are less likely to have a positive outlook on challenging or stressful situations (and those will definitely come up, sooner or later).

So why not reverse the formula? Let’s start the day with positive affirmations. Remind yourself of the things you look forward to; or even better – schedule something that you enjoy doing on a Monday instead of leaving it for a Friday.

Spend some time doing something that inspires you and brings your mood up. It could be something as simple as putting on a nice outfit, treating yourself to a great meal, or signing up for a yoga class on a Monday. If you are not a morning person, maybe a solution for you is going to bed earlier on a Sunday, so that you can wake up rested. In other words, find something that actually makes you feel like you are starting your day productively, with a positive attitude.

2. Plan Ahead and Ask the Right Questions

Whether you are a student, a new worker just starting your career, a long-term dedicated employee, a manager or a business owner, one thing is true about you: you are a busy individual. In our dynamic culture where everyone pursues multiple activities, communicates with multiple individuals and has several things to deal with at the same time, it is crucial to remember to stay organized – at least in the key areas of your life.

Take some time out of your weekend to look at your schedule and plan ahead for the upcoming week. Ask yourself:

• What are your goals? What are the key things you are looking to accomplish this week, this month, this year? Write them down and keep them in front of you – this will remind you what you are working towards. If you need extra motivation, also write down why those goals are important to you.
• What are your key tasks? Break down your key goals into smaller, measurable activities. This will help you understand how the bigger picture breaks down into the daily, weekly and monthly tasks. After you identify those, figure out how long they will take and fit them into your schedule. Give yourself grace with the timeframe if you feel that it is getting overwhelming, but remember to prioritize the tasks that are urgent and cannot be postponed.
• How did you do since your last planning session? Have you accomplished the tasks and/or the goals you’ve set last time? If you haven’t finished them, don’t beat yourself up; but do remember to look at them and see which ones you need to carry over into the week(s) to come.
• Are you ready for Monday? Lastly, spend some time preparing for your Monday activities. Pack your bag or your lunch beforehand, prepare your documents or organize your homework. We all have certain routines that work for us, making us feel prepared for the next days’ scheduled (and unscheduled) activities. You might have to spend some time identifying what works best for you, but once you do – don’t neglect those little things. They will get you through your Mondays much easier and faster!

These questions are as applicable to your work or business activities as they are to your everyday life. If you ask them regularly, you will have a more clear vision of your immediate and long-term future, which will make you feel more determined and organized in the beginning of the week.

3. Keep an Eye on Yourself

There are two things you need to do for yourself to make sure that you keep yourself in check.

Keep Yourself Accountable

After you’ve set your goals and tasks for the week/month, keep track of your progress. Write your tasks down, or use online apps to check off what has been completed. Seeing your progress will help you stay motivated, as well as make adjustments to what you can realistically accomplish in a given timeframe.

If you need extra stimuli, share your goals and tasks with the people who are close to you and are supportive of your goals: your teammates, business partner(s), or your significant other. When you share your goals and plans, you are more likely to follow through with them: now you know that there is someone else who can keep you accountable to those!

Take Care of Yourself

As ambitious and motivated we may be, all of us need rest periods to make sure we are healthy, rested and not constantly living under stress.

If you are one of the people who forgets about yourself during a busy week, then put self-care into your agenda! You need to have some days or activities that replenish your energy so that you can continue to stay motivated and follow through with your goals. Both your physical and your mental health are important, so don’t neglect yourself!