Monday is often considered the most dreaded day of the week, and why shouldn’t it be? After a weekend filled with activities of our own choosing, the last thing we want to do is wake up early and start in with our weekday morning routine. Mondays can be arduous, but they don’t have to be downright terrible. Here are a few ideas to make the first day of the work week a little more manageable.
Prepare and Plan
The best way to deal with Monday is by preparing on Friday. Rather than falling prey to a relaxed pace at work on Friday, try to keep up your momentum instead. I tend to use Friday as a day to catch up on work as it’s usually a quieter day in the office with fewer meetings. In addition to working at a steady pace, take a few moments to organize your email inbox, clean your desk, and make a to-do list for Monday.
Take some of this focus and planning into your weekend by preparing yourself for Monday morning. Catch up on your laundry, lay out your work or gym clothes, and pack your lunch on Sunday night. By preparing and planning ahead of time you will feel more in control, and less stressed or rushed come Monday morning.
Weekend Recharge
Use your weekend wisely. Take time to recharge and relax after your busy week. Take part in activities you enjoy and use your down time to catch up on any personal tasks that have been nagging you. The weekend is also a great time to unplug. Avoid checking work email, especially if it isn’t urgent. Your weekend is your break from work, so don’t spend too much time thinking about work tasks or worrying about work issues you can’t do anything about over the weekend.