Why I Love Monday Mornings

Here we are at another Monday morning and I have a confession to make. I am different. HAHA, I know big surprise! No I am different in that I like Monday mornings. Why you ask? To me Mondays are my day of both reflection and of planning. Monday is a day that I used to dread but now, like every other day of the week I enjoy … because it’s the day of the week that I re-start my 7 day game.



So what makes Mondays so different now? I look forward to Mondays because I always take the first hour of my day on Monday reviewing the tasks that I have accomplished from the previous week, and then in turn planning my week that lies ahead. It has actually become a bit of a game for me, one that I enjoy playing as I can’t lose! It’s really a simple game, and one that everyone should play, yet not many do.



It’s a simple game of creating a list of items to do, then playing the game of getting them done before the end of the week. Sounds simple and boring right? Well here’s the thing. The to-do list sets your direction and gives your days purpose. I’m not saying that you don’t have purpose when you don’t have a to-do list, but how many times have you been overwhelmed as the week has slipped away from you and your list of things that you had made up in your mind did not get accomplished because other items popped into you day / week?



When you write your list out, you are telling yourself … "These are the tasks that I am going to accomplish this week." No excuses, period. So what happens? The second that you complete your list, and you read what you have in front of you, your mind goes to work to get this list completed! No joke. Your minds starts to work on getting this completed, even while you are sleeping! As long as you review your list on a regular basis and start to take action to complete your tasks, your mind will help you complete your tasks in ways that you never thought possible.



As your mind generates ways for you to complete your tasks, even when you are asleep, you will wake up with direction and energy as to what you need to accomplish that day, and what the most efficient way to get your tasks completed. It truly is empowering to have a clear vision of what needs to get accomplished in the week ahead.



So where is the game? Really it’s simple, it’s just a matter of accomplishing all the tasks that I have set out to do in that week. If I do accomplish this? Great! If I don’t complete all the tasks? That’s still great too. Here’s why … there is a good chance that I put too many tasks to complete in the week. So I’m sure you are thinking … Great Jamie that sounds bogus … you make a simple list and put down 2 tasks on it and don’t get them completed and you call this a success?!? No, that’s not what I’m saying. I have been creating these lists long enough that I know what can be accomplished when I set my mind in motion. I have three types of tasks that I list. Must-Do Tasks, Better Than Expect Tasks and Outstanding Tasks!



I will always create my to-do list to have the tasks listed in the proper order of importance. Must-Do, than Better Than Expected than of coarse Outstanding Tasks. Every week I complete all the Must-Do tasks as these are essential to my life and business. These are things that must get done, that I put on my list to make sure, even if they seem obvious, get completed. It is after these tasks are completed that the game really starts. The game is to get as many Outstanding Tasks completed in one week as possible. The only rule that I have is that in order to get the Outstanding Tasks completed, I must go through ALL my Must-Do and Better Than Expected tasks first.



So you even if I don’t get one Outstanding Task completed, I have already accomplished ¾ of my weekly to-do list, and while my Outstanding Tasks will get put on the following weeks To-do list, I will have than many less Must-Do and Better Than Expect tasks to complete. So as I reflect on what I have accomplished on Monday morning, my week was productive and I feel and enjoy the sense of accomplishment for the things that were completed!



Sounds boring and too simple to do right? It’s definitely not boring and yes it is very simple to do. The sad thing is it’s just as simple not to do, and you would be amazed how many people do not do this. These same people then wonder why they can never get anything accomplished and don’t get the things they want? It’s because instead of playing this simple game of beating their to-do list, they are playing the constant game of catch-up! Always one step behind. Which game would you rather play?



So with my list in hand, and my tasks outlined, I can now cross one Must Do task off my list and get to the next. Today is already shaping up to be an amazing day, like any other, and it’s off to the next task at hand!



Have any similar types of games that you play to get your tasks and goals accomplished? Leave a comment and let me know. I am always excited when people share their stories of what works for them. Conversely need help getting something like this started for you? Contact us at www.engineeredlifestyles.org, then click on Contact Us to send us an email and we will help. That’s what we are here for.



To you and your success,



Jamie