You’ve been there. Maybe not today (I hope), but, at some point in your professional career, you’ve definitely hit a mid-week wall of soul-sucking exhaustion that makes Wednesday feel like you’re caught in a 72 hour Monday. It’s not that you don’t enjoy your job; you’re just feeling somewhat uninspired or are riding somewhere between the ebb and flow of your workload.
Well, I’m here to help! Here are some proven tips to get you out of that slump:
1. Break the day up into short-term goals.
If you’re looking toward the weekend for relief, you’re doing it wrong. On days like this, it could be best to set small goals for yourself, throughout your day. Look at your day, break it up into a check-list, and knock things down one by one – and if you already do this, then make sure to celebrate those small victories just a little bit harder than you usually would.
2. Make immediate after-work plans.
Odds are some of your teammates are feeling similar, or are just as eager to pencil something fun into their day. There’s nothing like clocking out and going to grab a bite or a brew with the people you work so closely with every day. Give yourself something fun to look forward to; plus, who doesn’t enjoy some quality team-building?
3. Put the work down.
What?! No, seriously, put the work down, get up, and take a short walk. Your mind probably just needs a quick distraction, so give it what it needs. I know this can be somewhat scary – telling your co-worker or boss that you need to take a moment and stop working (especially in the hospitality industry (been there)), but much of the time, what is best for you is best for business.
4. Have some fun. Yes, in the office.
Studies show that having a fun, humorous work environment is great for business! So, if you and your team are really having a case of the hump day, have some water-cooler talks and crack some jokes, or order some pizza and take some #crushitwednesday selfies with the office crew – live a little. Your bosses will love the results!
5. Get in touch with someone you haven’t spoken to in ages.
I’m shamelessly pulling this one from a Gary Vaynerchuk video, which I recently saw on Linkedin. Call a current or former colleague, and let them know how much you appreciate them and enjoy working with them. The results are priceless. As soon as you hang up, you’ll both be ready to crush whatever is left of the day.
6. Lunch with friends or family.
Sometimes, all you need is a little surge of familiarity and happiness to pull yourself out of a slump. One of the best ways to do this is by seeing your smiling loved ones. We all get so caught in our daily workflow, that sometimes we forget how necessary is to take the time to see the important people, and how good it is for the mind and body. They’ll be happy and you’ll be happy; everybody wins!
7. Work out.
The benefits of working out are incredible: alertness, energy, improved mental health — the list goes on. Not only can you help ward off Slump Day by regularly working out, but you can also overcome it the day-of by getting a dose of epinephrine and increased blood flow to the brain at the gym.
Let me know your tips for turning a Slump Day into Hump Day!
