Morning bed / Unsplash

Monday mornings, the start of the workweek and the final reminder that the weekend has well and truly come to an end.

Dragging yourself back to work after a two-day break can feel like a chore, and to some, it may be especially tough, being accompanied by the dreaded Monday blues.

Monday blues is the term used to define a set of negative symptoms such as discomfort, sadness, and possibly anxiety emerging from the start of a workweek. This can significantly diminish people’s motivation heading into the week, making the simplest task more frustrating and challenging.

These are closely tied to the Sunday scaries, the anxiety and dread that some people feel on Sunday evening as they prepare for the coming week.

Monday blues or Sunday scaries may be caused by many factors, including job dissatisfaction, burnout, and disruptive weekend habits such as a completely different sleep routine and drinking alcohol.

KENNETH FARRUGIA
BOV CEO Kenneth Farrugia

So, are Malta’s top business leaders resilient to Monday blues, or do they dread the start of the workweek?

This was one of the questions posed to 50 local CEOs as part of a series of quick-fire questions first published in MaltaCEOs 2024’s print edition, and the results swung primarily in one direction.

Beppe Muscat NM Group CEO cropped
NM Group CEO Beppe Muscat

When asked whether they are immune to the Monday blues, 72 per cent said yes, with many saying that they love Mondays and that preparation ahead of a new week is vital.

“It’s not even a consideration. Monday follows a weekend, so it should actually be an energetic Monday [not Monday blues],” Bank of Valletta (BOV) plc CEO Kenneth Farrugia remarked.

Nick Spiteri Paris MaltaCEOs 2024
Bigbon Group CEO Nick Spiteri Paris

Beppe Muscat, CEO at NM Group, said that he is immune to Monday blues and generally looks forward to the week.

Mondays can mean a new beginning for business leaders, representing a day to set new goals and make positive changes within their organisation.

“The blues tend to hit on Friday, not on Mondays,” Bigbon Group CEO Nick Spiteri Paris commented.

Matthew Fenech / TumInvest
Motors Inc CEO Matthew Fenech / Tum Invest

In sharp contrast, 18 per cent of respondents said that they are susceptible to Monday blues, missing the increased relaxation and break from work that the weekend offers.

“Mondays are always the hardest and longest days,” Motors Inc. CEO Matthew Fenech said.

Maronna Filletti, Managing Director at Joseph Cachia & Sons Ltd, was in agreement, stating that she sometimes gets the Monday blues.

Maronna Filletti MaltaCEOs 2024
Joseph Cachia & Sons Ltd Managing Director Maronna Filletti

The remaining 10 per cent (equivalent to five respondents) had varied replies, saying that they sometimes do and on other occasions do not.

“Yes and no. I am guilty of taking Mondays off from time to time,” Key to Younger CEO Sandra Calafato admitted.

Additionally, the way one views Mondays is also highly dependent on the industry that they work in. Some industries, such as catering, tend to be very hectic during weekends and then relatively quieter on weekdays.

Sandra Calafato / LinkedIn
Key to Younger CEO Sandra Calafato / LinkedIn

This was highlighted by datalitiks CEO Ana Rubio, who said that in startup space, plenty of planning is required given such companies are still in their early stages. Therefore, “the concept of days in a startup does not exist,” she remarked.

How can CEOs tackle the Monday blues?

Responding to the Monday blues is often easier said than done. However, there are some simple things business leaders can do in the lead-up to the start of the week to help mitigate some of the pressure and uneasiness that they feel on Monday mornings.

Ana Rubio / LinkedIn
datalitiks CEO Ana Rubio / LinkedIn

Firstly, on Fridays they should find the time to plan their week in advance, as this can greatly reduce anxiety heading into a new week.

Tied to this, they should also have their Mondays clearly planned out. There needs to be a manageable schedule that balances things that need to be done urgently with others that can be tackled throughout the rest of the week. This can help business leaders to avoid feeling overwhelmed.

During the weekend, CEOs need to ensure that they practice some level of self-care to relax and boost their mood.

Additionally, business leaders can start to slowly adjust their mindset to view Mondays as opportunities for a fresh start. While a new week presents new issues, it also allows for new possibilities.

Lastly, they also need to make sure to have some enjoyable activities on Mondays to get their week off to a positive start. They can plan to have lunch with a friend, or possibly go for a movie or fitness class in the evening.

Do you struggle with the Monday blues?

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