Monday Motivation: Tips and Healthy Alternatives for Boosting Energy and Productivity
It's the start of a new week, and it's time to get motivated and tackle the week head-on. I'm a big motivational quote guy which you'll all learn if you stick around long enough. Here are a couple that have gotten me moving in the past:
"Your actions speak so loudly that I cannot hear what you say." - Ralph Waldo Emerson
"The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The second-best time is now." - Chinese Proverb
When going into a busy Monday I've often felt overwhelmed and when I go into the day with that feeling most often exit the day feeling like I got very little accomplished despite my appetite to be the most productive person alive. These strategies helped me to decrease the number of those days drastically and maximize my discretionary effort and productivity:
Strategies for Productivity
Make a plan: Take a few minutes at the start of the week to make a list of everything you need to get done. This will help you stay organized and focused throughout the week. Don't get so stuck in the planning phase that you forget to take action. Benjamin Franklin once said, "You may delay but time will not." That being said having a plan of attack for the day and structuring your time appropriately is incredibly important to being productive. Over time your plans and processes will become routines that produce a desired result, and it should feel like clockwork.
Get a good night's sleep: It's hard to be productive if you're tired and sluggish. Make sure you're getting enough rest so you can tackle the week with energy and enthusiasm. You've heard me reference sleep before concerning overall mental health, but its importance is often underestimated. I can tell you all from personal experience (in addition to a ton of research that experts have done) that breaking the cycle of sleeplessness will positively impact your productivity and elevate your mood!
Take breaks: It's important to take breaks and give your mind and body a chance to recharge. Try to take a few breaks throughout the day to rest and refocus. We've all been there: Staring at a blank email that we meant to send 30 minutes ago or scrolling through our phone because we just don't want to think about the last task that we've got to get done before the top of the hour. Make sure you take time to grab a snack, get some water, stretch, or talk to coworkers to break the monotony of the day. I had a terrible habit for much of my professional career of skipping lunches. I thought that I had too much to get done to take time away from the work. I found that, as I took time away from my work, I could come back to it refreshed and able to perform at a higher level.
Exercise: Exercise is a great way to boost energy and productivity. Whether it's a morning run or an after-work gym session, ensure you're getting some physical activity throughout the week. I'm going to tell on myself here. I have not made my physical health a priority in years and, at 38, it has been less than fun to make it one now. Just this morning I put 2 miles in on my elliptical and was tracking my heart rate constantly because I was nervous that I might be pushing it too hard. The positive in all of that is that I got on the damn thing. For those of you who are awesome at making exercise a part of your routine, keep encouraging the men around you to do the same! For those of you who have taken a decade off like me, there's not a better time to make your physical health a priority than today. The body and the mind work hand in hand.
Product Recommendations
I will often make recommendations for products or services that can be useful surrounding blog topics. You won't always get these suggestions but will see them in several blogs if I believe they add value. Here are two supplements people use for boosting energy:
A quality Omega-3 can help with energy for those who are dragging through Monday. They play a role in the body's energy production, and some studies have shown that they may help improve physical performance and reduce fatigue. Additionally, omega-3s are important for maintaining healthy cell membranes, which are necessary for the efficient transfer of nutrients and energy into the cells. By supporting the health of cells, omega-3 supplements may help to increase energy levels and improve overall health. Fellas, supplements can help give us the boost we need, and a quality Omega-3 is a good place to start.
Using a good nootropic and immune system booster can positively impact a man's health. Nootropics are substances that are believed to improve cognitive function, including memory, creativity, and motivation. They may also help to improve focus, concentration, and mental clarity. An immune system booster can help to support the immune system and improve overall health. It can help to reduce the risk of illness and improve the body's ability to fight off infections. I've linked a top seller from Amazon for anyone who wants to see how this supplement can impact you on an energy-depleted Monday!
If you've scrolled this far first and foremost, I want to say thank you for taking the time to read. Please subscribe to the blog, connect with us through chat or email, and give me any feedback that you have. I'd love to connect with you all on my social media accounts that I've linked at the top of my home page, and hope that you all have an awesome Monday. As always get out there and do something positive today! Positively make an impact on others and you'll never have a wasted day. Thanks for reading.
John
About the Author:
John Lockman is passionate about promoting men's mental health. Having lost a family member to suicide at an early age, he is committed to raising awareness about the disproportionate number of men affected by this devastating issue. Through his own personal experiences and his website, www.thelockmanlounge.com, John hopes to help men think differently about how to prioritize their well-being and become more comfortable acknowledging and processing their feelings in a healthy way.
In addition to his passion for mental health advocacy, John also has almost two decades of experience in the business world. Most recently, he oversaw roughly 100 million dollars of annual revenue and was responsible for managing a team of 75 employees. In this role, John had a significant impact on customer service, profitability, employee retention, and marketplace growth. With his wealth of knowledge and experience, John is a seasoned professional with valuable insights to share.
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