This post is written by our Senior Editor, Rachel Kempton…
Mid-week Slump, Wednesday Wall, Hump Day – whatever you want to call it – if you’re feeling tired, fed up, or burnt out after a busy start to the week, a little motivation boost could be just what you need to lift your mid-week blues.
Here’s our 5-step guide to powering through Wednesday and turning your week around…
1. Rise (earlier) and shine!
“Early to bed and early to rise, makes a man healthy, wealthy and wise.” ~ Benjamin Franklin
Snoozing under the duvet may seem way more appealing than getting up early but studies show that the most productive and successful people wake up early to experience the peaceful precious moments before sunrise. This extra time, when the world is all quiet and still, allows you to focus on yourself, prepare for the day ahead and get a jumpstart.
How? Go to bed an hour earlier and set your alarm an hour earlier then see what you can do.
Top tip! If you’d love to change your life, reduce stress, lose weight and take positive steps towards fulfilling your dreams read The Miracle Morning: The 6 Habits That Will Transform Your Life Before 8am by Hal Elrod.
2. Frontload Your Day
“We think, mistakenly, that success is the result of the amount of time we put in at work, instead of the quality of time we put in.” ~ Arianna Huffington
How awesome is it when you have a super-productive morning completing your biggest, most challenging tasks? Heading into the afternoon knowing that the tasks that have been worrying you, that you’ve been putting off, or that have been eating into your time are done and dusted feels great.
How? Energy levels are generally higher in the morning than they are come mid-afternoon so re-structure the way you schedule your Wednesdays. Instead of pushing out your meetings, calls, or projects until after lunch, put the more consuming tasks first.
Top tip! For more hints and tips on getting more done faster, and getting the right things done read Eat That Frog! By Brian Tracy.
3. Plan a lovely lunch
“When I eat with my friends, it is a moment of real pleasure, when I really enjoy my life.” ~ Monica Bellucci
So remember that really good feeling of getting everything done before noon? Well now, you get to reward yourself a bit more… with a delicious lunch date.
How?: Round up a few co-workers or friends and head out to for a quick bite to eat. Walk, talk and share some laughs along the way. Getting away from it all will help you disconnect and refocus your mind.
Top tip! Having lunch out doesn’t have to be expensive. You could always prepare lunch at home and head to the nearest green space for a picnic.
4. Give your brain a break
“True enjoyment comes from activity of the mind and exercise of the body; the two are ever united.” ~ Wilhelm von Humboldt
Did you know that a large percentage of our struggles are mental? That means, quite simply, that we also have the power to overcome them, and one of the best ways to do this is through exercise. Whether it’s a mile-long jog to kick-start your day or a yoga class to unwind at the end of the day, doing a bit of exercise is guaranteed to re-energise your body and mind and help you push through the rest of the week.
How? There are lots of ways to incorporate more activity into your day:
- Ask yourself what you enjoy doing and schedule a time to do it.
- Just like Steve Jobs who made a habit of walking meetings, perform simple exercises throughout the day to prevent you from feeling tired and lethargic.
Top tip! Need more reasons to get going? Check out these 4 Science-Backed Ways to Motivate Yourself to Work Out.
5. Create a new happy habit
“When I was 5 years old, my mother always told me that happiness was the key to life. When I went to school, they asked me what I wanted to be when I grew up. I wrote down ‘happy’. They told me I didn’t understand the assignment, and I told them they didn’t understand life.” ~ John Lennon
Wednesday is the perfect day to spend at least one hour doing what you love to do. Instead of focusing on just “getting through” the day and counting down to the weekend, start doing something that makes you feel great.
How? Ask yourself: What makes me truly happy? How could I incorporate more of this into my Wednesday? Add it to your diary and follow through with it.
Top tip! Whether you’re looking to create more time and space in your life to do what you love, or you’re ready to make a new start and find personal, professional and financial freedom the Do What You Love e-course is perfect for you. Our course runs for 5 weeks from October 17, 2016, and you can book your place here or click on the image below:
Is the mid-week slump something that you struggle with? How do you power through to the weekend? We’d love to know! And if you never have that Wednesday feeling because you’re doing what you love, we’d love to hear from you too…
