So, what are the Monday blues? The name is fairly self-explanatory. Most of us spend a good portion of our week in an office and sometimes things get a bit overwhelming. It can be difficult to come into work especially after a nice weekend of relaxation. Mondays are known for being the worst day of the week.
Although it’s easy to remain in the post-weekend slump, it’s important to pull yourself out of it so that you can be motivated to get work done. Being stuck isn’t beneficial and only allows negative thoughts to fester. Here are some tips on how to get out of the Monday funk.
- Organize your desk. When your desk is full of clutter, it is difficult to get any work done. Papers and post-it notes that are strewn all over your desk can be distracting. This can cause you to be unable to focus on your job. Consider clearing your desk so that all of your attention is directed toward the task at hand.
- Ignore social media. After the weekend is over and you’ve returned to work, you’ll probably have the desire to see what everyone else is doing. Refrain from checking your phone for the latest updates. It will just make you long for the weekend and regret going to work. Instead, concentrate on your work and then check your phone when you get home.
- Wear your favorite outfit. Wearing your favorite work clothes can put you in a positive mood. When you look your best, you usually feel your best. This confidence can result in a can-do attitude that permeates the workplace. Use this new outlook to tackle some tough tasks and stay at the top of your game.
- Eat right. Although going out to eat with coworkers for lunch sounds fun, you are unlikely to buy anything nutritious unless you are really dedicated. Pack your lunch the night beforehand with healthy, but delicious food. If you already packed a tasty lunch, then you will be less likely to go out and buy something. But that doesn’t mean you can’t eat with your coworkers.
- Laugh with others. This tip is so simple that it seems a bit silly. Although it might be a little ridiculous, laughter is a great way to get out of a fugue. No one should sit at a desk all day with a solemn expression on their face. Make sure you have some (reasonable) fun with your work. Love your work!
- Take time for yourself. Not everyone is a lean, mean, working machine. Working nonstop will only result in a decline in work quality. Try to take some time for yourself and institute breaks throughout the day. Get some air and a change of scenery for a short amount of time. You’ll feel refreshed and then be able to take on your tasks with fresh eyes.
- Work smarter. There are people who do their best work early in the morning and then there are people that work better later in the day. You know yourself best. Arrange your schedule based on the fluctuations of your energy levels. When you are the most tired, stick to easy tasks and when you are the most alert, fling yourself headlong into those more complex projects.
- Collaborate with others. Some tasks can seem a bit daunting when you are forced to do them alone especially at the beginning of the week. Ask others for advice about certain issues or seek help for some aspects of the project. The support of others is invaluable. But be sure to repay that kindness later in the week by offering your services to them otherwise they might become reluctant to give you some assistance.
- Keep track of accomplishments. Just because you are an adult doesn’t mean you can’t reward yourself for a job well done. Keep a list of your achievements at work or some of your own personal victories within eyesight. When you begin to zone out or become unfocused, your eye will catch the list and you’ll be reminded of all your accomplishments. That little reminder can give you a boost of motivation so that you’ll complete your work. Stay determined!
- See the big picture. Your job isn’t always perfect. Your workload can spontaneously fluctuate from having almost nothing to a giant list of tasks that you have to complete by the end of the week. It’s understandable to get frustrated sometimes. But keep in mind that boring and lengthy work can often be the most useful for yourself or others. Pay attention to the whole company, not just your role.
- Plan your next getaway. Monday don’t seem so bad if you have a break to look forward to. Try to plan a fun event for the weekend or start to think about your next vacation. It doesn’t have to be a big trip, but it should be something fun. That way, each week won’t be an endless cycle of going to work and then going home.
Hopefully, these tips will help you get out of the Monday funk. Going back to the office after a weekend isn’t the greatest feeling, but remember that your job has meaning. Also, keep in mind that you are valued at your company. Don’t get hung up on the negative aspects and channel passion into your job. Sometimes motivation has to come from within. Start your week right by using some of these tips.
This article was inspired by the taking care of your winter blues event on June 29th, 2017. Check out our calendar for more events.
Originally published July 10, 2017
