Overcoming the Post-Holiday Monday Blues: Transform Your Start to the New Year
"Why is Monday so far from Friday and Friday so close to Monday?"
This humorous quote captures that universal dread that can linger, especially as we transition from the holiday season back into the workweek. I am sure you can relate! Finding your mojo to ‘get back on the workhorse’ after the Christmas and New Year celebrations can be challenging. But what if Mondays could be something to look forward to, even after the holidays?
First, though, let's understand why Mondays seem so jarring! After time spent with family, friends, and festivities, re-entering the work structure can feel like a sudden loss of freedom. The emotion I often felt was like the thought of returning to boarding school after the summer break—filled with anxiety and some dread - that always turned out less daunting than I imagined once I was back. However, post-holiday blues are natural emotions, especially if your team are navigating financial pressures or adjusting to a new rhythm. Remember, where attention goes, energy flows - for you and your team. So, whether you or a team member is feeling financial stress, facing a challenging trading environment, a lack of recognition at work, or carrying post-holiday fatigue, these can and will make Mondays ‘hard yakka’.
Here’s a statement for you to cogitate on ... what is cogitate, I hear you ask? To cogitate is ‘to think deeply about something; meditate or reflect. So, here is the statement I challenge you to think deeply about:
‘Mondays are what we make of them – why not make them meaningful?’
Here are some practical steps to make Mondays meaningful.
‘Cash out’ the week that was, taking the simple step to organise my workspace on Friday before leaving meant I returned to a decluttered space. So, if you have a set workplace, try leaving your space tidy and clear. I would also do a quick review of the week. I’d reflect on what I achieved and what I know right now that I must do next week and jot these down before walking away into the weekend. It is easy to forget critical issues or use your precious recharge time ‘draining your battery’ trying to remember what you know not to forget from the week past. You know - that gnawing feeling of forgetting something or feeling disorganised. Giving myself direction before taking time off helped a lot – even before going on an annual holiday or extended break. Try it – I am sure it will help. Stephen Covey reminds us, "The key is not to prioritise what's on your schedule, but to schedule your priorities." This leads me to my second step - organising tasks to create a sense of calm and control as you re-enter the work routine.
‘Cash-in’ the week, that is, taking 20 – 30 minutes on Sunday to review and plan the week, helped me enter Monday with clarity and confidence. This was my go-to strategy that enabled me to know exactly what was vital each day of the week ahead, especially on Monday. It was also where I scheduled those big rocks – all those big and important ‘star moments ‘in my life, not just work. This habitual practice every Sunday helped me make Monday feel like a step forward rather than a hard restart. Have you considered setting aside this quiet time to bring focus to your week?
Check your ‘Balance Statement’ and reconnect with Your Mission. When Mondays felt challenging, especially after the holidays or an extended break, I would turn to my personal mission statement and core values and read them. This small but mighty step enabled me to connect deeply with my why and what is important to me and gave me more vigour and excitement for Monday and the week ahead. Do you have a personal mission statement? Do you know your top 5 values? If I asked you, could you recite them? Make the time to do this reflective work. Seek out a resource to help you. The following is a good start: Sinek, S., Mead, D., & Docker, P. (2017). Find your why: A practical guide for discovering purpose for you and your team. Penguin Books.
Prepare to make ‘Deposits’ and share some Post-Holiday Cheer: Kick off the week by sharing a light-hearted quote or funny story with your team or colleagues. Express gratitude, write thank you notes, and celebrate the achievements of colleagues and team members of the past week. Doing this gave me something positive and meaningful to think about, look forward to and do, and it made a significant difference in my approach to Mondays. This small act made all the difference in setting a friendly, upbeat tone and attitude to Mondays. How often do you acknowledge your team's efforts and celebrate their wins? The most minor recognition can be powerful in setting a positive tone for the New Year. What quote or story will you bring to your team to brighten their Monday?
I genuinely believe that Mondays are what we make of them. We can make Mondays meaningful; it’s in the little routines and reflections that significant changes happen. This year, let’s reclaim Mondays by cashing out, cashing in, tracking our balance statements and making small, frequent deposits daily. These new routines will compound, creating enthusiasm for Mondays every week and creating a work culture that feels just as uplifting as the holiday season. You deserve to start every week with the same enthusiasm and emotion you had at the beginning of the New Year.
I have shared my ideas that have helped me. What routines have you found that have helped you? How about sharing them with your family, colleagues, or team? So, what will you do to make Monday meaningful?
Stay inspired and lead with excellence,
Gary Good
Founder - LeaderLegacy
Like this article? Share it with friends:
Tell us what you think about this article! Leave a comment below: