Monday

“I don’t like Mondays…”

–  Lyric from “I Don’t Like Mondays” by Boomtown Rats

Of course, it’s a decision, one made from the launch pad of the stories we tell ourselves.

Ideas are the currency of difference makers and stories are the vehicle by which ideas are transported — even, and maybe especially inside our own minds.

I can tell the quality of my work life by the quality of Sunday nights.  If Sunday nights are good, there’s a pretty good chance that I’m balanced, engaged and contributing in a positive manner.

The Tallest of the Three doesn’t like chocolate.  (I know, weird, right?) He never has.  We have a dear friend who doesn’t like most condiments.  “Goopy,” he says, “I’m not eating anything goopy.”  Those are matters of taste.

Not liking Mondays is a decision.  Mondays don’t have a taste or a texture.  Monday is just one of seven days.  The decision to like it, or at least to engage as if we did is 100% within our control. “My boss is such a tool,” we tell ourselves.  “This whole work-from-home thing is BS, I miss the team,” the story-teller in our mind begins.  Or, perhaps that story teller begins by saying, “It was Monday morning, and Steve was faced with a wonderful choice!  He could either go through the motions, or he could make this the best Monday ever…”

A mentor of mine used to end their voice mail greeting with “make it a great day!”  Back when voice mail was a thing, I adopted that practice.  Not sure when I stopped, but this Monday, I’ve re-recorded my greeting to adopt it again to reinforce the wiring that tells me each day is worth making great.

The Boomtown Rats, or my friend the difference-maker? Which advice will we follow today?

Make it a great Monday!