It’s the Monday after Valentines, the roses have begun to wilt (already) and the box of chocolates only has the hazelnut and coffee ones left. Many of us have are back in the office today and have returned to work with a renewed longing for the weekend once again. The start of the week doesn’t have to be sad, however…let JLife help you beat the Monday productivity block and banish the blues!
Prepare for Monday on Friday
This is a hard one, but making a list of what you were doing before you leave on Friday will go a long way to save time when you arrive back on the Monday morning. Trying to remember why you were sending emails at 5.05pm on a Friday can waste a lot of valuable time. Even just a friendly post-it note on your computer screen for when you return can ensure that you slide right back into your productive groove from the week before.
Unplug for the weekend
If possible, try not to look at your work emails or listen to voicemails over the weekend. Saturday and Sunday are days for you to enjoy, and maintaining some form of a work-life balance can help make you feel thoroughly rested when Monday does come around again. Also, by adding another thing to you to-do list for when you get back will just make Monday morning even more tangled with pesky loose ends.
Be well-rested
It’s vital that you get enough sleep every night, but even more so when Sunday comes around. It’s usually not very hard to doze off during Countryfile, but when you do finally go to bed, make sure everything is in place to ensure you have a restful night’s sleep before work. It’ll make waking up that much easier and go a long way to make sure you aren’t a grumpy chops at work!
Think of others
Everyone in your workplace is in the same situation, so doing something nice for your colleagues will create an air of positivity that can lift everyone, even if just for a moment. Bringing in baked goods or even simply making a nice cup of tea or coffee can help get everyone’s Monday off to a good start.
Make Monday a fun day
Most people leave all their fun and social activities until Friday night or the weekend, but why not plan events and activities for a Monday evening instead? That way Monday doesn’t have to be the one day of the week you dread, but something to look forward to. Going to a pub quiz, making Monday night ‘date-night’ or catching up with friends can put a spring in your step for the rest of the week. Just make sure you don’t stay out too late for that Tuesday morning meeting!
According to a recent survey, only 24% of people found Mondays to be productive. With these simple ideas, it doesn’t have to be that way. With a little preparation, our Mondays don’t have to be manic. Why not give it go?