Got a case of the Monday blues? You’re not alone. A study has shown that people sent the most gloomy tweets out at the start of their workweeks.
Why? That is because people tend to have more stress on Mondays and associated Mondays in our minds with the return to work — and thus the return to stress. In fact, it can put some of us in such a constant state of anxiety and we start to have panic attacks as soon as the clock begins to count down each Sunday evening.
But what if we told you that it doesn’t have to be that way though. With the right approach, you can start to look forward to Mondays. Read on for a list of the top 6 ways to beat the Monday blues and start your week off on a high note.
Identify the Source of Your Dread
Perhaps most of us don’t really talk about our feelings much, this area might be a bit uncomfortable. But nonetheless, it has to be dealt with in order to start enjoying your job more and have a productive week. Stop and think for a few minutes about what it is that has been causing you to hate coming into work so much.
- Do you have a coworker that is grating on your nerves?
- Has your boss been riding you about completing a big project?
- Are there some family issues that are making it hard to concentrate on anything?
As soon as you identify the problem, make a list of some ways that you can solve the issue. Then, start taking some positive steps towards each one of them.
Visualize Success
Another technique that is helpful to beat Monday blues and have a productive work week is to see yourself as being successful and happy before you head out the door each day.
This visualization technique is commonly used by some of the top athletes because it really works. Simply, close your eyes and imagine what the day will look like at its very best for you. Watch yourself handling all of the possible stressful situations with ease.
It might take a little getting used to when you first start practicing visualization, but it will become a habit over time if you stick with it. You can also use visualization before you give a speech, talk to your boss, or ask for a raise.
Using the visualization technique to focus on your goals and success will help you accomplish some other things along the way. For example, the visualization technique activates your creative subconscious which will start generating creative ideas and means to achieve your goal. It helps to reprogram your brain to readily recognize the resources you will need in order to achieve your desires.
Stay Prepared
Have you ever noticed that most catastrophes that you have prepared for never seem to happen? And if they do, they never turn out to be that bad, do they? Well, the reason for this is the usual stress that the situation would cause is alleviated. All the supplies are ready. A plan is in place. And everyone knows what to do ahead of time.
This type of preparedness can also be applied to your job. Have backup plans for any events that you feel could go wrong. If possible, have your other coworkers get involved in the process too. That way, you won’t feel so much pressure to handle everything yourself.
Get Organized
One of the simplest ways how to beat Monday blues is to always keep your workstation organized. And this applies to any job. Whether you are a mechanic in a car repair shop or a Wall Street stockbroker, your job will be much easier to do if you can find all of your tools, papers, or other equipment when you need them.
The best approach to staying organized is to make it a habit that you perform at the end of your shift each day. Some may want to put it off until Friday, but this will only add to the stress of coming into work after the weekend because of the giant mess that will be waiting for you to clean up.
Have a Schedule
A day-planner is a useful tool for anyone in any job. But it won’t work if you don’t put the effort into using it. Some guys turn down simple organizational methods like the day-planner because they feel ridiculous carrying it around the thing all day long.
So for this, if you have a desk job, we suggest a Google spreadsheet instead. Then, write down all of your important tasks and things to remember in it throughout the day.
I found doing pretty much everything with Spreadsheets to be really effective. One good thing about using Google spreadsheet is that there is no limitation in what you can or cannot write down. You can customize your sheet however you like to make it suits your style.
Focus Only on What You Can Control
Stress and anxiety are like a giant monster holding your shoulders down. It causes your emotions to run wild from all the fearful thoughts that it induces. So the best way to handle it is to take its power away by concentrating your efforts on what you can do, not what you can’t.
For example, if the reason that you are dreading Monday so much is that you don’t know how to get started on a project that your boss gave you, stop and take a second look at it. Find a small area of it to work on that you do know how to do. Then, let your boss know you have made some progress, but you just need a little advice on how to get past the next hurdle. Many supervisors would prefer their employees come to them with questions because it shows they want to do their best.
So the next time that you start to dread coming into work on Monday, give these six tips a try. They can help you stay productive and keep your stress and anxiety levels down at work. But remember, if your anxiety starts to get out of control, and nothing else seems to help, be sure to seek out a professional counselor.
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