You Have Two Choices Today

It's scientifically proven that 4PM on Sunday afternoon is the most depressing hour of the week. We've had a fun weekend, had lots of good food, spent time with people we care about, and haven't thought too much about work. But the weekend is winding down, and we realize tomorrow is quickly approaching. Considering 70% of Americans dislike or hate their jobs, the reminder of tomorrow is a sobering moment! Thus, 4PM is the most depressing hour of the week.

As you begin your Monday, you have two choices. First, you can choose misery. I get it. You don't like your job, you don't feel adequately paid, your boss is a jerk, you don't feel like you're making a difference, and/or it bores you to death. Most people can relate to some combination of those feelings. Your mere presence at work feels depressing. You'd rather be anywhere but there. You count down the time, find ways to distract yourself, and do whatever it takes to numb the feelings until it's time to go home. That's option 1.

Here's the second option. You can choose to be grateful for your work. Whatever you're getting paid, you can be grateful for the opportunity to make a living today. Instead of dwelling on how much the job sucks, you can consider the value you add to other people's lives. Your customers, your co-workers, and your bosses. You can think about the broader mission you're helping to accomplish, and the lives being impacted.

It's about whether the glass is half full or half empty. Our perspective of the glass can be a massive driver of how we feel about our jobs. If we believe our work is good, even if the job kinda sucks, it will provide some level of fulfillment. A slight shift in perspective can change everything. Alternatively, we can dwell on the negative and spin ourselves into a hole of pity and misery. This is where many live.....and I've been there! These are the choices you have today. Two choices with two vastly different outcomes.

Taking a step back, you have bigger choices to make. Do you really want to wake up in that same job tomorrow? If not, you have a different sort of choice to make. Remember, not making a choice is still a choice. If you really hate your work, today is a great day to start finding something different. Put yourself out there. Risk getting ignored. Risk having a bad interview. Risk getting turned down. Risk starting a new job that also sucks. Risk it, because the risk is worth it.

But today? Today, you have two choices. You can approach your day with a positive attitude, and possibly have a good, fulfilling, productive day. Or you can approach your day with misery, all but guaranteeing a terrible, empty, and exhausting day.

I encourage you to choose optimism.....then get about the business of finding something that better suits you. You deserve it!