Make your monday great!

So it’s no secret that I travel a lot. It’s actually a passion of mine; I am fascinated by being able to change time zones and go coast to coast all in one day (or a short 4.5 hr flight). I still say that one of my most memorable experiences was being able to see the sunrise over the Atlantic at Wrightsville Beach and then the sunset over Coronado at the Top of the Hyatt in downtown San Diego...all in the same day. But back to this miracle of flight….are you actually traveling if you don’t check into the airport on Facebook? I digress….

​The other week I was on a flight home from a few days at Western Kentucky University and in Nashville. I had a really early flight from Nashville to Charlotte then Charlotte to Wilmington on that Monday morning. It was typical Monday morning and I was coming off from an amazing weekend spending time with the awesome trainers and instructors at WKU and some quality time with a few of my besties. I had no reason to not be 100% that morning but apparently the universe thought I needed a swift kick in the pants. As we landed in Charlotte and pulled up to the gate with a plane packed full of business travelers for the week, the gate agent walked on the plane and made an announcement over the plane PA system similar to this: “Good Morning and welcome to beautiful Charlotte, North Carolina. My name is XX and I will be assisting you in the gate today. American Airlines no longer prints your connecting gate on your boarding pass as it may change and this terminal is under construction so please excuse our mess. If you do have a connection and have questions please see me as you leave the jet bridge and I will help you. Lastly wherever your travels may take you today enjoy your day and most importantly, make your Monday great!”

It hit me like a ton of bricks. I thought to myself, “Universe, thanks for the reminder.” Make your Monday great was such a simple but impactful statement. I even close my voicemail out with “Make it a great day” however sometimes even us “pros” are in need a simple but not so subtle reminder that a small mindset shift can change our week.

Here’s 7 quick tips to get you headed down the right path this week:

1. Start on Sunday: Sundays are often beautiful days full of one of two hashtags: #SundayFunday or the #SundayScaries. Regardless the fact that many calendars start the week on a Sunday isn't a coincidence. A simple change of your mindset from spending Sunday evening dreading Monday to looking forward to what lies ahead of you can get you headed with a great start!​
2. Practice gratitude: Instead letting a sense of sadness come over you that the weekend is over, spend a few moments feeling grateful for the friends, family, and life you have been given. It’s pretty cool right?!
3. Celebrate the small wins: No matter what behavior change we are trying to achieve, we know that long term adherence is determined by setting small, achievable goals that can be accomplished regularly; let’s call them behavioral goals. When you celebrate those small wins you are in a better mood and mindset thus more likely to crush those long term goals.
4. Set your intentions: I get it; not all those who wander are lost. However, spending 30 minutes to an hour over the weekend of writing down a few goals or intentions you'd like to focus on for the week definitely won’t harm you.
5. Participate in self or professional development: Read, listen, workout, write. Whatever it is; take time for yourself. Helping others is like exhaling while helping yourself is inhaling. Try exhaling a few times without inhaling...actually don’t do that…...
6. Spread happiness to others: Think of the joy that you receive by spreading happiness to others. Gifts don’t have to be costly. A smile or nice conversation can go a long way.
7. Make it a great day!: Lastly, when you wake up in the morning take 3 deep breaths in and out. On those inhales let it inspire you and on those exhales let it cleanse you. Let your worries slide away and open your heart to what the universe has to offer. Before you get out of bed, decide you will make it a great day! Before you disagree, try it.

“Every day is a good day to be alive, whether the sun's shining or not.” - Marty Robbins

Steven Trotter, MS

Steven Trotter is a consultant, entrepreneur, adjunct professor, and fitness industry expert changing the world one day at a time.