Back from a long holiday weekend? Take back the Mondayest Monday ever with the Fresh Start Effect. Thanks, Staci Meyer, for helping us reframe our start to the week. 👇 #BeSci #CognitiveScience #FreshStartEffect
Take Back Monday from the Sunday Scaries We've all been there. It's Sunday evening, and instead of enjoying the last few hours of the weekend, we're filled with anxiety about the upcoming work week. That feeling of dread, often referred to as the "Sunday Scaries," can be a powerful demotivator. While some gurus will tell you to get ahead of your week by completing as much as possible on Friday or to create a to-do list for the upcoming week on Sunday night – not being a guru – I think those sound like terrible ideas. Working more is not the answer. Especially if it makes you have the Friday scaries instead. Alternatively, I like to use something called the Fresh Start Effect. What is the Fresh Start Effect? If you’ve ever made a New Year’s resolution, then you’ve already experienced The Fresh Start Effect, which is just a moment in time where people perceive new beginnings. This clean slate mentality can be a powerful motivator. Here’s a fun secret – you don’t have to wait until next year. The Fresh Start Effect can be employed at the start of a new month, week or even day. Hello, July 1, the start of a new day, new week AND the first day of the second half of the year. Triple fresh start. Three tips for reclaiming your Monday Here are some ways I use the Fresh Start Effect to combat the Sunday scaries and take back Monday: Reflect on the previous week: Every Monday I look back at my previous week to see where I missed on my goals. Then, I set a priority to focus on those. Starting your day with intention sets a positive tone for the week ahead. Create a (Monday) morning routine: Establish a positive routine for Monday and, really, every morning. Take a walk, meditate, learn something new. Me? I try to do a quick Duolingo and meditation session. Just ten minutes for both. Look forward to something: Pick something in the upcoming week to be excited about. This can shift your mindset towards anticipation, a powerful motivator. Positive emotions on Monday tend to make your whole week go better, including increased mental health and creativity. By harnessing the power of the Fresh Start Effect and implementing your own strategies, you can transform Mondays into opportunities for progress and fulfillment. Remember, every day (even Muhnday) is a chance to start fresh and work towards your goals. Written on a Monday by a human. What are your favorite ways to start fresh?