No matter your situation, Monday mornings often carry a reputation as the most dreaded day of the week. For many, the thought of leaving behind the weekend’s relative leisure and stepping into a hectic work week can be met with a sense of reluctance or even anxiety. However, as a business coach who firmly believes in the power of emotional intelligence (EI), I see Monday as a fresh opportunity for personal and professional growth. In this blog, I’ll share my perspective on what it feels like to go to work on Monday when you approach it with EI.
Emotional Intelligence Sets the Tone
Emotional intelligence is the ability to recognize and manage your emotions and understand the emotions of those around you in order to build positive relationships. When you step into the week on Monday with a high level of EI, you’re equipped to navigate the complex web of emotions that we will all experience. Here’s what it feels like:
Self-Awareness: You start the day by bringing awareness to your emotions and thoughts, acknowledging any apprehensions or concerns. This self-awareness allows you to address potential triggers proactively. This one is hard if you don’t make it a habit. For some, a few minutes of journaling helps set the tone for the day. I prefer to start the workday with a short 3-5 minute mindfulness meditation.
Self-Management: EI enables you to manage your emotions, preventing frustration or stress from spiraling out of control. You’re better equipped to maintain composure when facing challenges. This takes a lot of practice. Even with awareness, it can be very difficult to manage your emotions if you are triggered. Reflection helps here. Often it is after the fact that you can see your triggers to help you see them coming next time. Again, journaling is the preferred method of reflection for some. I prefer to take a walk at the end of the day and spend a bit of time reflecting on any significant moments of the day.
Social Awareness: You’re attuned to the emotions of others, fostering better relationships. Some people are naturally in tune to other’s feelings and others not so much. It is a skill that can be learned. Your attention and focus is the key. You have to really listen to what others are saying and watch their body language closely. Over time you will pick up on how people are really feeling by doing this. Like everything else, it takes practice.
Relationship Management: With your EI skills, you communicate with empathy and clarity, allowing you to form strong relationships. This puts it all together. A combination of self-awareness, management of your emotions and understanding the emotions of others will allow you to effectively communicate with others. These skills build the foundation for good relationships. Don’t worry, nobody is perfect at this, we are all human. If you’re questioning why an interaction went well or poorly after the fact, this is another example of how to use reflection to improve your relationship skills.
Why does this matter?
For all of us, if we approach our world through an EI lens we will find that stress, anxiety, fear and any other emotion we label as negative will not have the same impact on us. We will move through these and learn from them. We will also find our relationships improve. In general, our overall sense of wellbeing will improve.
As a leader who focuses on EI, you’ll set a great example for your team. These practices create a supportive culture that fosters collaboration and innovation.
One Small Step
If you don’t already do so, start your week with a bit of awareness. What emotions are you experiencing today? Why are those coming up? What are you sensing in those around you? What do you need to do to move through all of this successfully?