It's Monday and I don't Want to go Work! 8 Ways to Get Motivated!

By Edward Leigh, MA

The alarm clock rings on Monday morning, but you would rather just stay under the covers. However, you know you must get moving, but you really don’t want to do anything but continue to sleep. Here some energizers to get you pumped up for the week ahead!

Bolt out of Bed!

As soon as the alarm goes off, jump out of bed! This energetic movement awakens you immediately. Make some other quick movements too, such as shaking your arms or legs. Better yet – do a dance! It might look silly, but movement shakes off the cobwebs and gets you excited. Try it and you’ll be amazed how much the way you move affects the way you think and feel.

Start with a Positive Outlook

As you are waking up in the morning, what you say to yourself will determine what kind of day you will have. With your thoughts, you set the stage for the rest of the day. If you say to yourself, "I don't want to get up now. I don't feel like going into work today."

You are setting yourself up for a rotten day! Your perceptions become your reality. Instead, wake up and say, "Today will be a great day. I will be positive and productive. I will also spend some time today taking care of myself." You have choices in your life. You can wake up on the bright side or the dark side. Even if it's cloudy outside, wake up with sunshine in your heart and mind.

Get Moving

Exercise is a great morning super charger. This could be accomplished in many ways: taking an early exercise class, using the treadmill that has been sitting idle in your basement or taking an early morning brisk walk.

Exercise in the morning has immense benefits. First, it raises your metabolism. This creates a natural buzz that burns calories all day. Second, it gives you the opportunity to plan out your day. Deciding exactly what you need to achieve helps you prioritize. This allows you to start working on what’s important without hesitation. Third, it starts the day with a positive accomplishment. Don’t you feel proud of yourself after exercise? This creates momentum and self confidence that will improve your mindset for the rest of the day.

Jump-start your Day with a Healthy Breakfast

Select healthy options that fit your taste and lifestyle, and put breakfast back into your morning! Fat and sugar are not great energizers – they weigh you down and cause lethargy. I am talking to you, the drive-through-window-person eating the high-fat breakfast sandwiches! A healthy breakfast should consist of a variety of foods, such as whole grains, low-fat protein, dairy items, and fruit. These options provide complex carbohydrates, protein and a small amount of fat — a combination that delays hunger symptoms for hours. Choose one item from at least three of the following four food groups: fruits and vegetables, grains (e.g., whole-grain rolls, bagels, cereals or low-fat bran muffins), dairy (low-fat milk, yogurt or cheeses) and protein (e.g., hard-boiled eggs or peanut butter)

Take a Different Way to Work

Think about different ways you can travel to work. In doing this, you will see new scenery and places. Being in a new environment can be very invigorating. Maybe you'll spot a park, store or restaurant you want to visit? Make it an adventure!

Be Cheerful

Send out lots of positive energy to the people all around you. If you come across angry, upset or grumpy people, just smile at them and move on. Leave everyone you meet with the impression that you’re happy and enthisuatic today. Sound completely out of character for you? Too bad! Do it anyway!

You are Self Employed (even if you think you are not!)

You are not working for an organization / company – you are working for you. You are working to achieve your goals. You are not really working for anyone but yourself. It’s your decision to stay or to leave; your future is in your hands. We are all self emplyed. Try that attitude on and see what happens.

Reward Yourself

Think about your goals and then plan rewards for completion of those goals. Think about both large and small rewards. The large rewards could be for a week of reaching your goals, while the smaller ones could focus on daily accomplishments.Here are some goals to get you started: • Take a vacation or weekend getaway.

• Put $1 in a jar every time you meet a goal. When it gets to $50, treat yourself.
• See a movie.
• Go for a spa treatment or massage.
• Buy yourself a gift certificate.
• Compliment yourself. Write down what you would say to anyone else who accomplished what you did.
• Subscribe to a magazine you always wanted.
• Visit a favorite park.
• Watch your favorite TV show.
• Buy something for your hobby.
• Read a book you have had your eye on.
• Pay someone to do the yardwork or house cleaning for a week.

See, Monday is not that bad after all! Take the eight tips and will soon be on your way to a great week, great month, great year, great life!

<< Back to articles | Download this article

***

PERMISSION TO REPRINT: Please feel free to reprint this article in your own print or electronic newsletter. We ask that you please include the following paragraph:

Reprinted from the newsletter of The Center for Healthcare Communication. The publication is a complimentary electronic newsletter featuring informative tips to dramatically enhance healthcare professional-patient communication and the healthcare environment. Subscribe at www.CommunicatingWithPatients.com and receive the complimentary special report, "25 Ways to Create a Positive Workplace."

(If reprinting in an electronic newsletter, please be sure the website, www.CommunicatingWithPatients.com, is a hyperlink.)