You Gotta Love Mondays

Everyone loves weekends.  For many, it's their time to kick back, throw their feet up and take a few moments for themselves.  Whether it's just an opportunity to enjoy a hot cup of java in the morning while reading the newspaper (I personally enjoy doing Sudoku puzzles) or to simply stay in their PJs all day, weekends are a time for rejuvenation, and relaxation.

As such, Fridays are not far behind on the satisfaction meter.  It signifies that the end of the week is here and that the weekend is just around the corner.  It's a celebration if you will - so popular that the day is often referred to as TGIF (Thank Goodness it's Friday!).  A restaurant chain bearing its name has become widely successful marketing the idea of enjoying Happy Hour with friends and co-workers to celebrate the end of the work week... a kick-off to the weekend if you will.

For managers, it's typically not too challenging to generate passion and enthusiasm on a Friday.  Spirits are high with smiles all around.  On the other hand, Mondays are far more difficult.  Depression sets in with the thought of another long work week. Morale is low and the staff is desperate for a quick "pick-me-up".  Matter of fact, some studies even suggest that the prevalence of death is actually heightened on Mondays.  Other studies suggest that drug overdoses and suicide rates are higher on Monday for the same reason.

As leaders, we don't have the opportunity to take a day off.  If we come in depressed on Monday, so to will our staff.  Like it or not, they feed off of our emotions, and will follow our lead and our approach for the day.  The plain and simple truth is that as leaders, we've "gotta love Mondays".  So what if it's the start of another week.  Look at it as another opportunity to make something special happen, to make the ordinary extraordinary, or to quite simply... make a difference.

"Success is not a destination, but rather a journey".  This favorite quote of mine from an unknown author sums it up best.  Everyone's got a reason to get up in the morning... whether it's because they have to or they want to.  How you emotionally prepare for the day will dictate your success, and the success of those around you.  Personally, the challenge of leading others and the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of our patients is what gets me out of bed each morning.  While the end of the work week signifies an opportunity to spend much needed time with my family, it also signifies the end of doing something I love... at least for a couple of days.     I enjoy my weekends off as much as the next person, but I also look forward to the alarm clock going off on Monday mornings.

"See things as you would have them be instead of as they are."

                                    - Robert Collier