Mavenology.

 How to Start Your Week Off on a Positive Note

It can be tough to be motivated to do anything on a Monday morning, especially after we all just spent 2 days sleeping in, binge-watching movies, laying out on the beach and eating at our go-to restaurants. Mondays tend to be a reminder of weekly alarm clocks, Tupperware lunches and commuting with strangers. For many, Mondays can be the most difficult day of the week to get through, which is why it's important to ask yourself if you're in the right role. When you work for a company with a mission you believe in and you feel like you contribute meaningful work, Mondays have a whole new meaning. All the while, we could all use a few tips to cure the occasional Monday blues.  

1st: CHOOSE AN AFFIRMATION FOR THE WEEK

At the beginning of each week, the Mavens gather in the conference room with their warm cups of coffee for a Monday Morning Team Meeting. During this time, we are given the space to collect our thoughts, set our goals and get motivated to tackle the upcoming days. Before we disperse to tackle our workdays, our CEO Jessica asks each one of us to intentionally affirm something for the week, giving us the opportunity to set a positive tone for the rest of the week. These affirmations are a guiding light and give us all something tangible to work towards since we know that Jessica will hold us accountable the following Monday. We recommend incorporating a similar tactic into your Monday Morning routine to get energized and get inspired by your teammates!  

2nd: PLAN, PLAN, PLAN

Whether it's jotting down your weekly to-do list, color-coding your calendar, or placing sticky notes all over your desk, planning is a vital step to a successful week. It's important to plan for the things that you WANT to get accomplished by the end of the week, but it's imperative to remember not to DWELL on your planning...after all, the entire purpose of planning is to actually get stuff done! Your plans should be specific, reachable and rewarding! Be sure to schedule downtime during your week as well – creating buffer time to process information or to simply take a breather will significantly help your productivity and energy levels throughout the week.  

3rd: PRIORITIZE YOUR WORKLOAD

One of the primary stressors in the workplace is accurately prioritizing your workload. You should ask yourself, "Is this task urgent or important?" – there's a difference! Be sure you're asking which tasks need immediate attention by identifying and assessing your workload based on what carries the highest value to your organization and to your team. Life isn't perfect, so it's essential to be willing to adapt and change your plans when things come up or when things don't go exactly as planned.  

4th: TACKLE THE TOUGH TASKS FIRST

Let's be honest, we all know that procrastination is real in the workplace. Start your Monday by spending your mental energy wisely, as opposed to dreading challenging tasks later on in the week when you have less energy. By tackling the tough tasks first, you will feel more productive, accomplished and relieved...and the best part is, it's only Monday! Checking the hardest box off of your list first will set the tone for the rest of your week.  

5th: TREAT YOURSELF

Buy the fancy latte at your corner coffee shop! Start your morning off with your favorite Pilates class! Take a brisk walk around your neighborhood with your pup! Rather than treating yourself to something fun on Friday, switch your routine up with an exciting Monday activity. Having something fun or out of the ordinary to look forward to on a Monday morning can make all the difference!

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Written by: Haley Garrison