We see it in almost every office across the country, workers are celebrating on Fridays and groggy the following Monday. Starting the week off on the right foot sounds like a great idea, but few workers actually use their Mondays to their full potential. Rather than being productive on Monday, many workers feel sluggish and slack on the first day of the week.
If this sounds like you, the good news is you can change! When you use the first day of the week to get caught up or work on a project that you’ve been stressing about, you’re going to finish your day that Friday being able to relax and separate your work and personal life.
Eat breakfast
It might be a no-brainer, but starting the day off right can be difficult if you’re in a hurry to get to work on time. On Sunday night, set aside breakfast on the counter so if you’re running behind, you can just grab it and head out the door.
Make a list
When you get to work, spend the first 5 to 10 minutes coming up with a few lists. Make one a list of work you absolutely need to get done today, one of work that needs to be done by mid-week, and one that needs to be done by Friday. This will help you keep focused and also give you some motivation as you start checking off things on your list.
Check your email sporadically
Make sure to check your email at some point in the morning, but don’t obsess about checking it throughout the day unless you’re waiting on an important email to come through. Oftentimes people spend so much time checking their email throughout the day that their day’s productivity has been shot as a result. Only check it once every couple of hours and make sure to respond within an appropriate amount of time.
Avoid meetings
Obviously if a mandatory meeting is held that Monday make sure to attend, but try to avoid setting up meetings on the first day of the week unless it’s absolutely necessary. Meetings tend to break up your day and could distract you before they start and even after it’s over you might have difficulty getting back on task.
Stay positive
Getting in a mindset that Monday is the worst every single week will make your motivation plummet before your day even takes off. Keep hydrated and make sure to have your daily dose of caffeine handy and make the most of your day!