Monday motivation

Are you doing exams, assignments, building your own business, or just have a lot on at work at the moment? Here’s some Monday motivation to help you start off your week the right way!

Set your alarm 15 minutes earlier

If you’re anything like me, getting out of bed is as impossible as touching your left elbow with your left hand. On a Monday it’s important that you aren’t rushing from the minute you wake up but instead give yourself time before the day begins. So, set your alarm 15 minutes earlier (make sure you actually get out of bed) and enjoy the bliss of choosing an outfit you genuinely like.

Do some exercise

If you have a gym membership then check out their opening times and go for a morning workout. My gym opens at 6.30am so I’ve recently started going early a few days a week and I’m now a morning gym convert! I swear, I would never go back to the sweaty 7pm peak time. If you don’t have a membership that’s still no excuse. There are loads of workouts online that you can follow. Make some space in your bedroom or living room and spend 30 minutes getting your blood pumping around your body. You could do cardio, pilates, yoga, zumba, weights, ANYTHING! Exercising in the morning jump starts your metabolism so you will be burning calories all day long. Not only that, but it will help you focus on your work and give you more energy.

Have a good breakfast
 

If you want your brain to be in tip-top condition you need to feed it with the right stuff. Cereals such as Shreddies and Shredded Wheat are good because they have much less sugar than most other cereal and they really do "keep hunger locked up 'til lunch!" No one ever built an empire on a hungry belly now did they?

 Make a list
 

Write yourself a to-do list. I suggest writing one big list for the week, but with individual daily tasks so you can see an overview of your week without being overwhelmed by how much you have to do. Take each day as it comes. My best friend always writes one thing that she’s already done so that there’s something to tick off straight away. After this I would suggest tackling your biggest tasks first. You have more focus in the mornings and earlier in the week so start well and get the big things out of the way. Don’t put off until tomorrow what can be done today.

Reward yourself 
 

Kind of like when you were in primary school and you got to stick a star on your chart if you had worked particularly hard or done something exceptional… give yourself a reward! I’m sure you are working towards something anyway such as good grades or a promotion, which is a reward in itself, but mini rewards along the way are always a good boost and help you feel as though your life isn’t being taken over by work and revision. Your reward could be in the form of watching your favourite program, 30 minutes to read a magazine, time to sit and listen to music, or to go outside for a walk. Whatever makes you happy, give yourself a chance to do it!

PMA
 

Start the week with a positive mental attitude and the rest of the week will follow suit. Monday’s are like New Year’s Day. It’s a chance for a fresh start so anything that happened last week, put it behind you and focus on what you have to come. It always seems to be Monday mornings that you spill your tea, miss the train, or catch your bag on a bike right outside Charing Cross station and spend five minutes untangling yourself. (I’m not speaking from experience or anything… *cough*).  Tell yourself that whatever happens you won’t let it get you down. If you can make it through a Monday with a smile then you can make it through the week.

C’mon Monday. Lets have ya!

Emma

xx