It’s only Sunday night but already you’re thinking about the dreaded event: returning to work on Monday. If this is the thought that goes through your mind each Sunday night, here are some ideas that can help. I suggest the following six strategies to help overcome those “Sunday night blues” and establish a fresh approach to Monday mornings:
1. Plan out your week on Sunday nights and write down your tasks. This will help break things down into smaller pieces so the work won’t seem so overwhelming.
2. Schedule at least one activity every Monday that you truly enjoy. This will give you something positive to look forward to at the beginning of your week.
3. Make Monday “career day.” Devote part of every Monday to “career management” activities, such as networking, updating your resume or researching other opportunities.
4. Assess whether you’re in the right career or job in the first place! People who truly enjoy their work usually don’t get the “Sunday night blues.”
5. Change your attitude. If you’ve been complaining about your job for a long time, you must take full responsibility for your situation and change it for the better.
6. Focus on long-term objectives. When you have meaningful, long-range goals, you won’t focus so much on Sunday nights or Mondays!
Sunday nights can be tough for anyone, regardless of how happy they are in their current employment situation. No one wants to leave their family, home and personal activities to go back to work on Monday morning.
However, if your professional and personal goals are not being met — if you’re feeling underutilized, overworked or overwhelmed — chances are you’re not in the right career to begin with! And no amount of Sunday night planning can improve upon that.
