A Renewed Outlook on Mondays

“There are two tests in life, more important than any other test. On Monday morning, when you wake up, do you feel in the pit of your stomach you can’t wait to go to work? And when you’re ready to go home Friday afternoon, do you say, ‘I can’t wait to go home?’”

Chuck Schumer

It’s Monday night.

How was your Monday?

For many of us, Monday has become a curse word – a word that implies dread, stress, and hopelessness.

Why is that?

I’m thinking Monday has taken on such a negative reputation because so many fail to find work that brings fulfillment. Instead, many workers simply take on a job that pays the bills.

Our work matters. What we do every day for over 1/3 of our days during the work week has the possibility to leave a lasting mark. It also has the potential to simply be a waste of our time.

I don’t know about you, but I don’t want to waste my time when it comes to my work.

As I approach my 50th birthday at the end of this calendar year, I’ve begun doing a lot of self examination. While I intend on keeping busy contributing to society for the rest of my living years, I’m realizing that I probably have 10-15 years left before I “retire” from work as I know it. I want those 10-15 years to matter. I want to do work that fulfills me and encourages others. I want to do work that utilizing my gifts, my talents, my skills, my knowledge, and my experience, and I want to do work that helps others along the way. I want to do work that contributes to my community and my world.

I’ve begun doing more homework to help me navigate this period of self examination. Specifically, I’ve most recently been reading through Halftime: Moving from Success to Significance by Bob Buford, 48 Days to the Work and Life You Love by Dan Miller, and The Proximity Principle by Ken Coleman.

I don’t want to dread Mondays. I want to be excited about my work. I want to pursue work that aligns with my vocational calling – the place where my skills meet my passions meets my opportunities.

How are you feeling about Mondays? What steps do you need to take to have a better outlook on your work? How could an improved work outlook make a difference in your life?

And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

Colossians 3:17 (NIV)