Feeling motivated, first thing on a Monday morning can be hard. No matter how much coffee we drink or how bright the sun is, the start of a new week can be daunting. But Mondays CAN be motivating! We have curated a list of five fantastic ways to fuel energy levels and kickstart your Monday with the same kind of excitement we all have on a Friday afternoon.
1. Music
Whether you enjoy a relaxed ambience, a classic 90s tune or a heavy bass warm up, music is medicine for the soul! In fact, according to a study conducted in 2014 by Frontiers Aging Neuroscience, music is seen to increase our productivity levels and cognitive performance which affects our everyday routines.
Music therapy is incredibly influential to our emotional wellbeing too. This concept is called the ‘Iso Principle’ in which therapists use music to influence the mood of their patients by matching the music to align with their mood. Some people may prefer peaceful meditative vibrations, and others may need something with a little more pump. Whatever it is, music has a profound effect on our performance, and it can be the differentiating factor between a good day or a bad day.
2. Catch-ups
After a whirlwind weekend for some, or a quiet one for others, it can be hard to get into the swing of things on a Monday morning. How about a morning catch-up? Whether virtually or in the office, chatting with colleagues is an important experience for human interaction.
Ease into the week with a warm brew while sharing stories of your Saturday night escapades. Getting to know your colleagues and how they work benefits the whole company in the long term, because it allows you to explore each other’s strengths and weaknesses. It builds trust with your team and creates an inviting work culture that everyone will benefit from, thus diffusing built-up tension that may arise. This creates a sense of unity and team-building skills that seep into the routine of the working day, making us more efficient and engaged with the people around us.
3. Take a break
Taking a short break every so often increases our productivity levels in the long term. Experts call this a ‘microbreak’ because it lasts up to anything from two or twenty minutes. This could include making a cup of tea or stretching out with a bit of at-desk yoga.
Despite the breaks being much shorter than the average lunch hour, they have a phenomenal effect on our mental wellness. Studies from the Journal of Environmental Psychology suggests that they greatly improve the ability to concentrate on specific tasks, get our bodies moving (which may help avoid injuries that are often tied to our desks), but more importantly, it positively influences the way we view our jobs.
4. Be present
Despite the belief that Mondays are notoriously slow, it is also our most productive day in the week. According to data taken from Priceonomics we typically complete most of our tasks (20.4%) on a Monday, and 9.7% are completed by 11 am. Of course, after lunch time our productivity levels drop, and then completely crash after 4pm. It’s no surprise that people often tend to dwindle out of the office and prefer to work from home on Thursdays and Fridays, the latter being the least productive day in the week.
Magic happens in the office when creative minds come together, and it is important to the success of all businesses. Which is why being present on Mondays is crucial as collaborating with colleagues increases morale, creates a supportive environment, helps solve problems, and fuels new ideas. Additionally, it ensures that colleagues are all on the same page, giving people the opportunity to ease into the week comfortably.
5. Treat yourself
It might be hard to tackle the work week first thing on a Monday morning, so why not do it with a little dopamine? Dopamine is crucial to our motor control functions, motivation and reward system. It’s a chemical created in our bodies and used by our nervous system to send messages between nerve cells which affects how we feel pleasure. This is why dopamine propels us into action to obtain a reward, and sometimes it is as simple as promising yourself a sweet treat if you complete your tasks before lunch time.
Human Resource professionals understand how powerful this affect is and have done well to implement regular perks and rewards in the form of free samples, vouchers and benefits to increase workforce productivity and improve emotional wellbeing. And the best thing of all? It’s completely free!
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Insights, advice, suggestions, feedback and comments from experts
As an expert in productivity and motivation, I can confidently say that I understand the challenges of starting a new week, especially on a Monday morning. However, I have gathered evidence and knowledge that can help you overcome this hurdle and kickstart your week with energy and enthusiasm.
Firstly, let's talk about the power of music. Numerous studies have shown that music has a profound impact on our productivity levels and cognitive performance. A 2014 study conducted by Frontiers Aging Neuroscience revealed that music can increase our productivity and affect our everyday routines. In fact, therapists often use music to influence the mood of their patients, a concept known as the 'Iso Principle.' So whether you prefer calming melodies or upbeat tunes, music can be the key to having a good day and enhancing your overall performance.
Next, let's discuss the importance of catch-ups with colleagues. Starting the week by engaging in conversations and sharing stories with your coworkers can create a positive work environment. This human interaction builds trust, fosters unity, and allows you to explore each other's strengths and weaknesses. This sense of camaraderie and teamwork translates into increased efficiency and engagement throughout the workday.
Taking regular breaks is another crucial aspect of maintaining productivity. Experts refer to these short breaks as 'microbreaks,' which can last anywhere from two to twenty minutes. These breaks, whether it's making a cup of tea or doing some quick desk exercises, have a significant impact on our mental wellness. Studies from the Journal of Environmental Psychology suggest that microbreaks improve concentration, get our bodies moving, and positively influence our perception of our jobs.
Despite the common belief that Mondays are slow, they are actually the most productive days of the week. According to data from Priceonomics, we tend to complete the majority of our tasks on Mondays, with 20.4% being done by the end of the day, and 9.7% completed by 11 am. Being present and actively collaborating with colleagues on Mondays creates a supportive and productive environment, leading to problem-solving and the generation of new ideas. It also ensures that everyone is on the same page, allowing for a smooth transition into the week.
Lastly, treating yourself can be a powerful motivator. Dopamine, a chemical in our bodies, plays a crucial role in our motivation and reward system. By promising yourself a small reward, like a sweet treat, for completing your tasks before lunch, you can tap into the power of dopamine and propel yourself into action. Human Resource professionals understand this effect and often implement perks and rewards to boost workforce productivity and emotional well-being.
In conclusion, by incorporating these five concepts into your Monday routine – music, catch-ups, microbreaks, being present, and treating yourself – you can fuel your energy levels and kickstart your week with the same excitement we all have on a Friday afternoon. For more information and to stay updated with our campaigns, visit our website and follow us on social media for some delicious treats.
