My favourite day of the week, and how it increases my leadership impact
Are you thinking about your favourite day of the week now…??Good, that was intended.?Let’s start with Fridays, given the namesake of this weekly piece.?Fridays are a favourite for many. It is the perceived end of the week, if you’re working week is a Monday-Friday setup.?We also can’t go past Saturday and Sunday as common rest and play days.?These two days top most people’s lists as favourites.?
However, my favourite day of the week is….
Mondays.
Apparently, it’s not a popular choice.?I’m here to convince you otherwise.
Where do you sit on the love or loathe Monday’s scale?
I love the promise of a new week.?There are no promises it will be good, bad, or indifferent, only the promise of new.?There are 52 opportunities to start a new week every year.?We have 52 Mondays that can symbolise a fresh start.?By the way, you can have a fresh start any day of the week... and… I recommend you ensure that Mondays always provide this opportunity for you.
The reason I love Mondays so much is that I am ready to get into the week! My Monday prep starts and ends on a Friday, so I can really immerse myself into the weekend.
I use Friday to set up my Monday.?On a Friday, I pack away the week.?I clear lists, and I set new ones for the week ahead.?I reflect, think about what I want to approach differently, and almost always keep it a meeting-free day.?
This increases my leadership impact exponentially.?
It reduces buzzing thoughts as I’m packing away the week and planning what I want to do the following week.?No meetings allows me to ponder, which may include a review of the week, writing or reading, and often all three of these things.
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Most Fridays include something social, a lunch date, a walk with a friend, or a chat on the phone.?This “play” aspect ensures I prioritise connections.?It’s easy to let these slip in busy land.?
On Friday, I follow these three P’s
I ponder about the week just gone and the week ahead.?I review my monthly goals and make tweaks if needed.?I ponder about content.?A book chapter, an article, a program.?Sometimes this includes deep thinking work, and sometimes it’s less focused and more free-range thinking.
I plan what’s coming up.?I review my calendar, a month ahead and schedule in preparation work for any programs I am delivering. I also plan on the personal side of life.?Appointments, social catchups, and family events.?Friday is the day for this.
I play.?This includes social connection.?A walk and talk, a lunch date, a phone call.?Maybe all three, and it almost always involves others.?People are so important to our sense of belonging, feeling appreciated and valued.?This is always a priority and nourishes the soul.??
This consistent practice on a Friday, means that I am always set up for Mondays, and more importantly, I get to go into the weekend, with stress levels turned down.
Leaders who have impact and are successful seldom leave things to chance.?The structure and routine they have in place frees up thinking time and the burden of overwhelm and procrastination that can occur when making decisions about daily practices.
Rita Cincotta writes, mentors, and speaks on elevating leadership impact, individual and team performance, resilience, and new ways of working. She works with organisations to develop human centred solutions that help people and businesses to thrive.