Dreading Monday mornings is a ridiculous way to spend one-seventh of your life, but that’s the weird habit millions of people have fallen into.
Sound familiar?
Weekends rock in our household. We sleep in and whoever sleeps the latest is the winner – we’re trying to convince my daughter that sleeping late is a good thing. There’s time for pancakes for breakfast and cozying up in a sleeping bag with a movie in the middle of the day. Regular rules fly out the window and everything seems to slow down.
Sunday night is when the world starts to return to normal. Laundry gets done and food shopping and cooking for the week ahead begins. This is when I check in with myself. Am I excited to return to work tomorrow? Have I spent enough time with my family so that I am ready to jump back into the challenge of my job? Thoughts of work filter slowly back into my consciousness. Does it pique my interest? Or cause vague feelings of uneasiness?
Monday morning is the true test. While I wait in the elevator lobby at the office, my stomach and brain tell me everything I need to know about whether or not I am following my true path. Of course there are occasional days of anxiety, angst, and annoyance – that’s to be expected anywhere. But if I experience Monday morning dread several weeks or months in a row, I know something isn’t right. Either I’m not doing the work I’m meant to do, or I’m not working with the people I’m meant to serve. The most important lesson I’ve learned is that it is up to me (not my employer) to do something about shifting those Monday morning feelings.
How do you know when you’ve strayed away from your true path?
Photo credit iStockPhoto
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[…] Check out my Monday Morning Barometer post on Women of HR. […]
Debbie, I love the Toastmasters idea. What a great way to start the week!
Jennifer, I can identify with resentment feelings too. I know I feel them most often at home when I’m not sharing my thoughts with my husband…
Shannon, it’s the “even if I love it” part I find so hard to break free of!
Gwendolyn, I am so glad you have found something that speaks to you.
Andrea,
Your article really stuck a cord with me. I used to have the Monday Morning Blues that was until I was fortunate to be laid off. I know this sounds a bit strange, but if not for that turn of events, I would not have found my current job.
The thought of being out of work after 10 years with the same employer (Transportation Industry), it seemed like the worst possible timing, being laid off in the midst of the worst employment market in 30 years. That day turned out to be the best day of my life. Only seven short weeks later, I landed a position with a World Class company that truly cares about its Members. My position offers me the ability to help distressed companies, and for those companies, who truly are looking for help to emerge from their current challenging position, is very rewarding. Having an employer that embraces its Members ideas, and actuality acts on them, is a rare commodity, it makes going to the office everyday an experience I look forward to. I have since had many calls from potential employers; the thought of ever leaving DLL never enters my mind… For any of your readers seeking this level of bliss, have them check out De Lage Landen Financial Services…
De Lage Landen, a fully owned subsidiary of the Rabobank Group, was founded in Eindhoven, Netherlands in 1969 in response to a growing need among larger agricultural operations for more sophisticated and far-reaching financial services.
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Well said Andrea!
and Jennifer and Debbie –
great reminder to own your perspective. I also find this when I have taken on too much (even if I love it), and cannot break the cycle. the key as you so aptly point out is to step back, and assess why you are where you are, and what you can do to change it – and then DO IT!
thanks all and happy Tuesday!
Shannon
Andrea,
Love this post! I know I’ve strayed from my path when I feel resentment. When I start to experience that emotion, it’s time to examine my boundaries: did I agree to something that didn’t “fit”? Is there a way to renegotiate/reshape the task or commitment? What can I learn from this experience so I don’t put myself in that position again?
I love Debbie’s idea as well on how to “manage” those feelings– align yourself with someone or something positive.
Great post Andrea- my Monday morning solution is Toastmasters 8am to 9am at a different corporation site than my own- it is a great way to start the week with a group of people that are providing positive and productive feedback as well as a place to develop and practice leadership skills like feedback in a safe environemnt. I leave at 9am energized to start my week- I encourage others to look for groups in their area- Monday morning blues- nope not here.!