Monday Morning Motivation

On Monday mornings, I’m often reminded of the movie “Office Space.” When one of the employees expresses some anger and frustration, a boisterous female co-worker says “Looks like somebody has a case of the Mondays!” Those of us who own our own businesses should never have a case of the Mondays, right? Since, of course, we are doing something we love, there can’t be any highs and lows!

Unfortunately, just because we do something we love doesn’t mean we are immune to negative thinking. Sales slumps, bills, over-anxious clients, jobs-gone-wrong, employee difficulties, and more can change our mood from upbeat to pessimistic. If you have let things pile up, they are staring at you waiting for action, especially on Mondays.

Without further ado, here is some motivation for your Monday. If you can change your attitude, you are more likely to take action and resolve all those pesky to-dos creating negative energy. Watch Jeffery Gitomer below give you 10.5 ways to have your “best day.”

If you don’t feel like spending the 5 minutes to watch, here they are with my tid-bit of reflection:

1. Wake up early. Easy. My 4-year old son is up at 5:45 every day.
2. Love what you do. I definitely love the business of business.
3. Be a life long student. I’ve been meaning to take those piano lessons…
4. Convert anger to resolve. It works for my kids, it can work for me.
5. Convert barrier to breakthrough. That’s the definition of sales!
6. Hear “not yet” when someone says “no.” Even the strongest objectors can be customers.
7. Little or no TV. Note to self: no more Seinfeld re-runs.
8. Read 20 minutes every morning. Read- as in books?
9. Write 20 minutes every morning. Does blogging count?
10. Call people you love and tell them so. Done.
11. Tell yourself you’re the best. That’s easy. I am the best!

Most of the time we feel negative because we are failing to take action on something that makes us uncomfortable. In David Allen’s book, “Getting Things Done,” he gives the suggestion that you sit down and think about the thing weighing most heavily on your mind. If you had nothing else in the world to do but provide closure on this thought, what would be your next action? Write it down. Although you haven’t physically done anything, just that little exercise can lift some weight off and provide clearer thinking.

Finally, MaineBusiness’ own Jim Bouchard specializes in motivation. He has a free podcast, called “PowerPod,” which contains valuable tips and interviews to help you manage your thoughts and stay positive.

Cure your case of the Mondays and go out there and do what you do best!

Mike Freeman
I’m sure the Celtics woke up with a bad case of the Mondays today.

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