Monday, Monday, Not So Good To Me
Ah, Monday. Just the thought of going back to work can be enough to ruin your Sunday afternoon. For most of us, the Monday malaise actually appears sometime on Sunday, when you realize that the carefree weekend is coming to an end and you’re about to return to the pressure zone.
How can you beat the Monday blues? We asked six high-achievers to share their strategies for coping with the most loathed day of the week:
Terrie Williams, author of “The Personal Touch” (Warner, $19.95) and president of The Terrie Williams agency, which represents entertainers and other high-profile clients, such as defense attorney Johnnie Cochran Jr.: “Sunday night is a time to renew, relax and revitalize. It’s a time to be by myself. This quiet time helps strengthen and center me. My shameful secret thrill is the Sunday night made-for-TV movies.”
Wilma Smelcer, executive vice president of Bank of America Illinois, in Chicago: “On Sunday night I start revving up my engines because I like to get off to a fast start when I arrive at the office on Monday. I have a long-standing habit of paying my personal bills on Sunday night, reviewing my calendar and the big events of the week and deciding what I’m going to wear. First thing at work on Monday I have a staff meeting with the chairman of the bank, and then I drink a big diet Coke. I get energy from the caffeine.”
Cheryl Gould, vice president of NBC News in New York City: “Starting at 2 p.m. on Sunday afternoons, I get a sinking feeling that the weekend is coming to an end. Over the years I’ve continued to think, ‘It’s school tomorrow, and I haven’t done my homework.’ Now that I have a new baby, I get through Monday by reminding myself that Monday will be over soon enough, and I’ll get to come home to my son. I also try to focus on other things I can look forward to during the week - soaking in the tub, reading a good book or doing nothing. And when I arrive at the office on Monday, I like to trade war stories about dealing with traffic or the train that never showed up. One way to beat the Monday blues is to have a gallows humor about it.”
Elizabeth Abbott, business etiquette consultant in Stamford, Conn.: “As an entrepreneur I create my week. Faced with a sea of open days, I feel very anxious on Monday mornings. After a busy weekend that’s filled with people and fun activities, it’s just me, in my home office, with my dog and a phone that doesn’t ring because my clients are in meetings and are getting themselves organized. Having learned this, I now ease into the week by doing things I really enjoy on Monday mornings. Instead of rushing into my office at 8 a.m., I go for a run or take my dog for a walk on the beach. I’m in the office by 10 a.m., and the stress is gone.”
Chris Leatz-Pokorny, manager of office technologies worldwide for FMC Corp. and author of “Career Success/Personal Stress: How to Stay Healthy in a High-Stress Environment” (McGraw Hill, $14.95): “I’ve started a ritual that keeps me from feeling overwhelmed on Monday morning. First, I force myself to clean off my desk on Friday night, and I make a ‘to-do’ list so I can start with a clean slate. Second, I try really hard not to set up meetings first thing on Monday morning. I use the time to return e-mail and phone calls, which allows me to gradually get my mind back in gear. And third, I always treat myself to a cinnamon-raisin bagel or Starbucks coffee - things I don’t get on the weekends. If it’s a really dreary Monday, I’ll even buy a flower for my desk.”
Sally DeVincentis, chief executive officer of APTE Inc., a software development company, based in Evanston, Ill., that recently introduced Internet Coach for Netscape, a multimedia active software package: “My work week gets off to a good start because every Sunday night we entertain family and friends. It’s something that I look forward to all week long. My husband cooks pasta and serves it with his secret red sauce. I sit back and get waited on. And I’m refreshed for Monday morning.”
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