By Justine Clay
Do you ever get a case of the Sunday night blues? Before the week even starts you’re wondering how you’ll ever get it all done. The blues are a bore, so here are 7 quick tips for a better Monday.
1) Do something fun on the weekend
Being a freelancer or entrepreneur sometimes means working weekends. It might come with the territory, but it doesn’t make it suck any less. So if you must work on the weekend, be sure to have a plan for something really fun too. You’ll feel less resentful and be more productive because of it.
2) Create a Sunday evening routine
A calm Sunday night routine is key to a bright Monday morning. There’s a reason why shows like Downton Abbey are slated for Sunday nights. Cook dinner, order in, watch your favorite show or curl up with a book. It doesn’t matter what you do, as long as you find it relaxing.
3) Review your calendar for the week
Nothing is more jarring than an unexpected Monday morning meeting. Review your calendar and mentally prepare for the week ahead.
4) Put pen to paper
I don’t know about you, but I have a to-do list running on a loop in my head at all times. But here’s the kicker, the really trivial things, such as pick up diapers, take up just as much headspace as the really important things like preparing for a workshop. Write down everything that’s in your head and assign levels of priority to each. I promise you’ll sleep a lot better because of it!
5) Pack your bags
Packing your stuff ahead of time makes for a much happier Monday morning. Plan what you’re going to wear, pack the appropriate handbag for said outfit and get your kid’s stuff ready. While this is something I aspire to do every night, so far I’ve only managed to get it together on Sundays. Baby steps.
6) Exercise
For the last six months, I’ve started the week with an early morning run. As painful as it can be to get out by 6.15 a.m., I feel fantastic afterwards and the effects last all day.
7) Keep Monday morning creative
It’s tempting to get a jump on your week and immediately tackle your in-box, but that’s a huge waste of your creative resources. Take advantage of the fact that you feel refreshed and rested and work on your creative projects. The emails will wait.
What does Monday look like for you? Do you have any tips to add? Please leave a comment below. I’d love to hear from you!
