Why don’t positive people dread Mondays?
Hint: it has nothing to do with being naturally positive.
Positive people don’t spring from the womb filled with a positive, gooey center that’s protected by an impenetrable, negativity-repelling exterior. Instead, positive people make deliberate choices that help them promote, inspire, and appreciate positivity.
So why don’t positive people dread Mondays? Because they take these 7 deliberate steps.
1. They End Friday by Preparing for Monday
It’s like doing the dishes before you go to bed. You don’t like doing it, but it’s far better to wake up with a clean kitchen than it is to wake up to a stinking sink of crusty dishes.
Before you leave work on Friday, make it a point to:
- Weed out your inbox, leaving only the items that need further attention and starring those that need to be followed up on first thing on Monday.
- Tidy your desk. Put away anything you don’t need. Wipe down surfaces. Start Monday with a clean slate.
- Make a to-do list, write a note or set a reminder so you know what will need your attention first.
- Review your calendar so you know what to expect the coming week.
2. They Avoid Meaningless Meetings
It may not always be within your power, but do what you can to avoid Monday meetings. Monday meetings, and meetings in general, throw off your schedule and take up too much of everyone’s time.
If you have the power to change your meeting schedule for the better, try implementing some of these tips:
- Don’t take meetings on Mondays.
- Don’t schedule meetings for first thing in the morning. Give yourself, and others, time to get settled and review the day’s priorities before rushing to a meeting.
- Replace sit-down meetings with phone calls or emails.
- Don’t have a clear agenda with items that require action? Don’t have the meeting.
- Email agendas out ahead of time so everyone can come prepared.
3. They Make Their Workspace Their Own
A lifeless, bland workspace is inspiring to no one. Do everything you can to make your space — whether that’s a desk, cubicle or office — a comfortable, inspiring place to be.
Fill your space with items that will inspire and comfort you, such as:
- Personal photos
- Plants
- Items that represent your interests or passions
- Motivational notes to yourself
- A pillow for your chair
- Slippers to wear at your desk
- A stash of your favorite snacks
- Something as small as a new desktop background on your computer can make a big difference in how you see your space.
4. They Look for the Bright Side
Positivity doesn’t just happen. It’s far too easy to focus on the negatives, which is why making time to think about the positives is such a powerful tool. Is your to-do list getting you down? Try this: Make a second one.
Where your first to-do list will be filled with deadlines and work items, your second one should be filled with anything and everything you have to look forward to that week. It can be as big as celebrating a personal milestone or as simple as a new episode of your favorite show. This list will give you something nice to turn to when your “real” to-do list gets you down.
5. They Make Positivity Contagious
One person really can make a big difference in the culture and atmosphere of a workplace.
Make an effort to spread positivity:
- Find ways to help your coworkers.
- Recognize other people’s hard work and contributions.
- Bring in a treat to share.
- Start a few simple habits, such as sharing positive anecdotes instead of participating in gripe-fests.
6. They’re Well Rested
Sleep plays a huge role in how we feel, which is why it is so important to stick to a healthy sleep schedule.
A healthy sleep routine means you get the sleep you need to feel rested, whether that’s 7, 8 or 9 hours. Making it routine means going to bed at the same time each night and getting up at the same time each morning, even on weekends.
By sticking to a sleep schedule, your body gets used to when it’s time to rest and when it’s time to get up. This means you can get up when your alarm goes off rather than snoozing. That in turn gives you more time to wake up, enjoy breakfast, and take the quiet moments you need to prepare for the day.
7. They Know How to Get the Most From Their Weekend
There’s nothing wrong with blocking off a day or weekend to stay in and do nothing every now and then. Key words being “every now and then.” Going from non-stop weekdays to vegetative weekends and back again gives you whiplash and really throws off your motivation, productivity, and energy, making it harder to flip back to manic-mode come Monday.
A few things that will help:
- Keep up a minimum of human contact. You may need a break to recharge, especially if you’re an introvert, but social interaction is good for you. Schedule a phone call with an out-of-town friend, have a few buddies over to enjoy an activity with you, or attend a public event such as a class, lecture, concert or show.
- Do at least one active form of recreation instead of sitting passively in front of a screen. You can read a book, take a walk, sign up for a club or class, or work on a personal project that makes you happy.
- Balance work and play. Unplug as much as possible from your job. Break up errands and household chores with indulgences and leisure activities.
Mondays may never be your favorite day, and that’s okay. But taking steps toward a better schedule and a more positive outlook can only improve your Monday experience. So what do you have to lose?
Stress. Resentment. Cyclical unhappiness. All things you can quite happily do without.
