The Monday morning 10-step survival guide

By Neal Wilkinson on Jun. 24 2013

Ommeergawd. It’s Monday morning, again! And as much as Monday signals the start of new opportunities and potential for growth in the week ahead, the fact that it’s signified by the intrusive yelling of an alarm clock makes it difficult to embrace with open arms.

Here’s how to get through it….and drag your employees with you.

How to get through a monday morning
THE MONDAY MORNING 10-STEP SURVIVAL GUIDE

1. It’s all about survival kits. Make one for each of your employees, here’s what you’ll need:

  • Toothpick: to remind you to pick out the good qualities in others.
  • Rubber band: to remind you to be flexible. Things might not always go the way you want, but they will work out.
  • Band-aid: to remind you to heal hurt feelings, yours or someone else’s.
  • Pencil: to remind you to list your blessings every day.
  • Eraser: to remind you that everyone makes mistakes, and it’s OK!
  • Chewing gum: to remind you to stick with it and you can accomplish anything.
  • Mint: to remind you that you are worth a mint.
  • Candy kiss: to remind you that everyone needs a kiss or hug every day.
  • Tea bag: to remind you to relax daily and go over that list of your blessings.
2. Coffee.3. Make a plan so you can get stuck in. Once you get started, everything becomes easier. If you spend time dithering on a Monday morning because you don’t know where to start, then make it a habit to set out your tasks for Monday on Friday afternoon. That way you can just truck on. (I try and make it a fun thing to ease myself into the week, encourage your employees to do the same.)

4. Coffee.

5. Do some exercise. Just as it is in Darwinism, so it is at work; the fittest will survive. Get out and get moving on your lunch break, not only is it the healthy thing to do, but it’ll make you (and everyone else) feel human again. And if you’re feeling a bit dumpy this morning just remember what Nike say: if you’ve got a body, you’re an athlete.

6. Repeat steps 2 and 4.  

7. Laugh. Fun and laughter makes the world a happier place. And it’s infectious too. So focus on getting one person to chuckle, and watch it spread. Think, if you can get your team to chuckle this morning, you’ll be well on your way to getting them through the Monday morning blues.

8. Recognise and sympathise. If you can see one member of your team particularly struggling to get through the morning, then go and chat to them. Tell them about how difficult you find getting through Monday mornings, that way they’ll feel that they’re not the only person suffering and more united in the quest to dominate the day.

9. Repeat step 6. 

10. This too shall pass. You, and everyone else, will be back home again before you know it. So y’all might as well get on with it and make the most out of the time you do have at work!

Tips to survive mondays
For more help getting through Monday mornings (or any hour of darkness) follow us on Twitter @HiringHub – we endeavour to make your day, everyday.