Start your week on purpose
Ever notice how Monday mornings have a PR problem?
They’re painted as the villain of the workweek. The day of heavy inboxes, awkward small talk, and endless “Hope you had a good weekend” emails.
By the time you’ve cleared your messages and caught up from Friday, it’s lunch, and the week feels like it’s already running you.
But here’s the thing: Mondays are actually prime real estate for shaping your career. Not because you can magically “do it all” on Day One, but because your Monday mindset sets the tone for everything that follows.
Most people start the week in reaction mode. They open their inbox before their brain is fully awake. They let other people’s priorities dictate their first moves. And then they wonder why their work feels scattered by Thursday.
Here’s the reframe:
Instead of asking, “What do I have to get done?”—ask, “What do I want to set in motion?”
It’s a small shift, but it changes your role from firefighter to architect.
Try this on your next Monday morning:
1. Pick one career-shaping action.
Not a “check the box” task. Something that builds momentum toward a bigger goal—whether it’s drafting a pitch, reaching out to a senior leader, or carving time for deep work.
2. Anchor it early.
Block time for it before you touch your inbox. Protect that slot like a meeting with your most important client: Future You.
3. Share the progress.
Whether it’s a quick update to your manager or a win shared in a team meeting, let people see that you’re not just busy; you’re intentional.
Mondays don’t have to feel like a reset button you dread pressing. They can be your launchpad for the kind of work and visibility you want to create.
So, when next Monday rolls around, ask yourself:
What’s the one thing I can set in motion today that Future Me will thank me for?
Until next time…
Mal
Founder, The Ideas Accelerator
Helping you grow your career with strategic insight and smarter tools.