I Don’t Do Hectic Mondays (Anymore)
There was a time when Mondays used to punch me in the face. Inbox chaos. Meetings galore. That familiar “where did the weekend go?” dread.
Not anymore.
I made a decision: I refuse to hate an entire day of the week. I also refuse to glorify the grind. I didn’t build a business just to recreate corporate nonsense with longer hours and fewer boundaries.
So no, I haven’t magically stopped the Monday email avalanche. It still shows up. But the way I handle Mondays now? That part’s changed completely.
Here’s what my Mondays actually look like:
I don’t schedule meetings. Ever. (Okay, sometimes I sneak in a passion project call… which I shouldn’t, but hey, progress over perfection.)
I take my time with my coffee. No rush, no panic. Just a calm start.
I stretch. Even five minutes makes a difference.
I start the workday with a brain dump or some writing. Anything creative or reflective, before I touch my inbox.
Only then do I open email.
And when I do, I scan first. I don’t just dive in headfirst. I decide what actually deserves my energy, then respond in order of importance.
Mondays Are for Clients
This works because I’ve made a clear rule: Mondays are client-only. I don’t carve out time for internal projects, admin, or marketing. Instead, I focus on:
• Responding to client emails
• Creating or following up on proposals
• Making booking updates or supplier calls
• Solving the things that need solving
No Interruptions, No Overwhelm
The magic isn’t in having a light workload. It’s in protecting the day from interruptions so I can move through tasks with focus. No switching gears every 15 minutes. No meetings pulling me in different directions.
I even close my inbox between sprints so I can stay present with whatever I’m working on. Need to write a detailed proposal? Done. Need to call a supplier and sit on hold for 48 minutes? I’m here for it. Confession: If I know I’m in for a long hold time, I will try to plow through some email responses to make the most of that time.
Also… Let’s Talk About Dinner
This part matters more than you might think. My wife and I have an agreement: she handles dinner on Mondays and Tuesdays. No asking what I want. No “Can you just chop this one thing?” Nope. She owns it completely.
If you have a partner, or roommate, or teen? Loop them in. Reassign something. Even just one responsibility taken off your plate can completely shift the tone of your day.
Mondays Don’t Have to Suck
What used to be my most dreaded day of the week has become one of the most manageable. And honestly? Kind of enjoyable. I get to start slow, focus on what matters most, and feel accomplished by the end of the day, without burning out by lunchtime.
You don’t have to follow my exact routine. But if Mondays feel like a tornado every week, it’s worth asking: What am I doing out of habit? What could I protect or change to make space for ease?
Start there.
