Stop Suffering from Mondayitis. Take time out to stop, breathe and reflect.

Mondayitis is a term used to describe the feeling of being unmotivated, tired, and generally unhappy on a Monday. Many women experience this phenomenon, often attributed to the transition from the weekend to the work week. Some common symptoms of Mondayitis include feeling sluggish, having difficulty concentrating, and lacking energy.

Sadly, for some women, Mondayitis happens everyday of the week.

Many women have described the thought of going to work like this:

·     They dread the thought of returning to their workplace.

·     Their heart is heavy because of the lack of career movement opportunities.

·     Their manager isn’t interested or is too busy to help them plan their career progression.

·     They are strugglingt o set their career goals or objectives.

·     They are worried that they have no idea what their goals are.

·     They feel like they are at a crossroads, but they are stuck.

Why Women Are Stuck

Women feel stuck in their careers for many reasons, including gender stereotypes, gender inequality and outright discrimination. However, there are also other reasons women can feel like they are stuck in their careers.

I surveyed my women’s network, and they told me this:  

·     I do not really know what makes me happy

·     I do not stop to give myself credit for the things I have accomplished in my life

·     I don't have enough 'me time.'

·     I don't sleep enough

·     I really don't look forward to going to work

·     I don't know what my purpose is

·     I feel stuck. How do I get unstuck?

·     I never have enough time.

·     I am restless, I want to do something different, but I don't know what.

·     I don't know who I am anymore

·     I am at a turning point, and I need a GPS!

·     I want to take care of myself now

·     I want to be in control

·     I'm busy doing nothing.

Common themes throughout these statements are prominent- women are not prioritising themselves, their careers, or their well-being.

Women are coming last.

Women often put themselves last due to social conditioning and rigid gender stereotypes. Let’s face it; women still undertake two and a half times more unpaid household work and caring responsibilities than men. So, it is no surprise that women often come last on a never-ending to-do list.

Attitudes about the responsibility for unpaid labour result in many women having less access to long-term capacity-building activities.  The obvious consequence is that women are denied, or (in)voluntarily forgo career and professional development opportunities.    

This, in turn, has a knock effect on promotability, increased earnings and lifetime economic security. Therefore, women coming last is something that society must pay attention to.  

However, this must be a two-way street. Women must take every opportunity possible to maximise their opportunities to live prosperous lives well lived.

Slow down to speed up (your career)

I want more women to take the time to stop, breathe and reflect.  Jennifer Porter writes for Harvard Business Review,

“Reflection gives the brain an opportunity to pause amidst the chaos, untangle and sort through observations and experiences, consider multiple possible interpretations, and create meaning. This meaning becomes learning, which can then inform future mindsets and actions. For leaders, this “meaning making” is crucial to their ongoing growth and development.”

Reflection doesn't mean navel-gazing or simply wandering back through your personal history. It means taking time off the hamster wheel of busyness to examine what makes you tick and why.  It means getting to know yourself a whole lot better.  

Ralph Ellison said, 

‍“When I discover who I am, I'll be free”.

It also means you are giving yourself a running chance at greatness because regular self-reflection separates great people from mediocre ones.

Stop. Breathe. Reflect

If you’re a woman stuck at a career crossroads, it’s time to stop, breathe, and reflect. Consider these questions:

·     What have been your successes?

·     What have been your failures?

·     What has contributed to your successes and failures?

·     What still serves you?

·     What no longer serves you?

·     What am I going to do about that?

Reflective practice means changing behaviours that have been ingrained in many women since birth. It means that women must do things they aren’t accustomed to or are not skilled in.  Slowing down and not being busy, at least for a short time.

By taking time to stop, breathe and reflect, women are giving themselves the best chance to move past the dread and get unstuck from the career crossroads.

Why not try it? You can download our free resource HERE.

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