How do you feel about Mondays? I’m sure there is a fascinating research study somewhere that states something like 88.3% of Americans dread Mondays. Without the benefit of real research, I have to rely on my personal observations, which tell me that 88.3% might actually be a low number.
Observation #1: What I see on Facebook & Twitter
There are a staggering number of posts on social media outlets that either complain about Monday or say “What a horrible week, thank GOD it’s Friday.” Oh, and a few more each week that are just thankful to be on the downward side of “hump day.”
Observation #2: What I see from the treadmill
I run some mornings on a treadmill at an athletic club downtown. The treadmills face giant windows where you can observe people arriving for work. Mondays are the most interesting. Watching these poor people as they trudge toward their offices makes me kind of sad. Very few walk toward their workweek with positive energy and a sense of purpose. Most look like they are walking painfully against an invisible force that is trying to drag them back home. And there’s always a couple that I’m pretty sure are zombies on their way to eat the brains of their coworkers.
If you hate Mondays, live for the weekend, and have to force yourself to put one foot in front of the other just to make it to work before the bell rings, I’m going to go out on a limb here and predict that you’re probably not amazing at the whole customer service thing.
How could you be? Really. If you dislike your job, your boss, your co-workers, or your cubicle, I’ve got news for you. It shows. Your customers can tell. They may not be able to put their finger on it, but you put out a vibe that says “there are other things I’d rather be doing.”
Hey, we don’t all work in our dream job. I get that. We can’t all quit our jobs all at once and go search for our ideal work situation. We’ve got work to do, families to feed, and a car payment to make (unless you drive an 13 year old minivan like I do, but that’s another article for another time).
What we can do is realize that we can make a difference ANYWHERE. Sometimes we make a difference in our customer’s lives because our purpose and passion enables us to go a step beyond their expectations. And sometimes the difference we make is for ourselves – doing a great job now so we can more easily move to a better job later.
What we can do is realize that the way we carry ourselves makes a difference…and it shows. Do you drag yourself to work each week, lamenting about how tired you are? Or do you stroll in with a smile and and attitude that says “Thank God It’s Monday!”?
I’m going to hypnotize you now: remember this article, remember this article, remember this article. Especially as you walk from your car, train, or bus to your office tomorrow. Check your attitude. Check your posture. Check your purpose. Adjust as needed.
I’m not saying “fake it until you make it.” I’m saying “make it.”
And if you’re going make it, you might as well make it spectacular. I believe most people want to work with – and buy from – people who make things spectacular, don’t you?