How To Start Your Week Well
Getting the week started can oftentimes be more difficult than just completing assignments in the first place. The lack of motivation that Monday comes with added onto whatever difficult tasks lie ahead can be stressful, tiring, and downputting. But, there are a few steps that can be taken and questions that can be asked to ensure the week gets off on the right foot. Here they are ⬇️
Reconsider
Guiding question: Where did I say yes last week when I should've said no?
Part of learning what to leave behind in the first place is recognizing places where you may have overstepped, taken on too much work, or simply did something you shouldn't have. Take a look back at last week and consider if your positivity went a little too far. Like anything, there's a balance between being kind and being cautious, so head into this next week with a little bit better of an understanding of how to mix the two. And, this won't happen in just 7 days, so give yourself time to adjust and figure out what works best for you––that's what being a teenager is all about.
Reflect
Guiding question: If I could send a message to last Monday's me, what would I say?
After you've done your reconsiderations, reflect on the week as a whole and how you grew and/or changed. Or, to put it a little less abstractly, just identify something you learned last week. Now spend some time thinking about how you're going to shift your attitudes and actions this week to leave yourself feeling positive, motivated, and excited. Finally, put that into a few words: your weekly mantra. You might even consider writing these words of wisdom on a sticky note in a place you see often or making that phrase your phone's wallpaper.
Leave something behind
Guiding question: What am I carrying from last week that's not worth my time or energy?
One of the biggest roadblocks to getting the upcoming week started is your feelings about how last week went. But, to put it in the simplest phrasing possible, look at the glass half full. Don't dwell on the past (like a bad grade you got or a club meeting you forgot about); think about what you're going to do better at this week (like studying a little harder or tracking your upcoming meetings with a planner). This way, you're entering the week with a positive attitude, and letting go of the negativity that holds you down.
Identify your one thing
Guiding question: What will make this week feel like a win, even if nothing else gets done?
Once you're done looking back, start your week by setting a single, achievable goal for yourself (might we suggest a SMART goal?) that you know will leave you feeling satisfied when completed. Then, make that your driving force and motivation to get through the week. Instead of worrying about every minor task or assignment you may be faced with, track this one item as a metric for your progress throughout the week––you're working closer to it each day.
A new week can be daunting and unexciting, but it can also be full of possibilities and opportunities. Finding a way to balance your emotions going into the week depends on how you reflect and move on from last week. And, if you liked this, you can move on over to our Blog page for more posts.
