“On Wednesday, when the sky is blue,
and I have nothing else to do,
I sometimes wonder if it’s true
That who is what and what is who.”
– Winnie the Pooh
Our childhood hero Winnie lives his life to the fullest. Friends, honey, adventure, poems… Winnie has it all. But, being what he is, an animated unemployed teddy bear living in a fairytale, Winnie doesn’t know what real struggle is – Wednesday at work.
Sadly, we’re not as fortunate as Winnie. Wednesday is right in the middle of the week – meaning we’re halfway to the weekend finish line. After all, they don’t call Wednesday midweek Monday for nothing. Let’s face it, we’ve all had our fair share of despair when faced with 3 more days of hard work.
For the rest of us, trying to make it in the real world, the poem would go something like this:
“No matter what Winnie and his friends say,
even sky-blue Wednesday is the day,
when the lack of energy and motivation
makes a productivity-hampering combination.”
– Employee the Human
Also referred as the “Hump day”, Wednesday can be depicted as a hump – meaning that we need to “climb a hill” before we coast downhill towards the weekend.
We know that not everyone has an issue with Wednesday. But, if you’re not one of them, don’t worry. We got your back. We’re going to give you a few tips on how to get through Wednesday at work.
Do What You Love
Save the tasks you love doing for that dreaded Wednesday. Besides spending your office time on the duties you truly enjoy, getting a few things off of your to-do list can be a huge motivation booster.
Or, even better–find a job that will bring you nothing but delight no matter how hard you need to work. This way, not only your Wednesdays but also your whole life in general, can become more like Winnie’s.
Don’t Overthink It
This tip is of the utmost importance. Your cognitive resources are not limitless and they can burn out fast. Each decision you make takes away a small chunk of your “decision making” capacity.
For example, a task such as picking a tie to match your suit on a work day is not that complicated? Or is it?
Well, maybe on some days it isn’t, but after a while, a habitual task like this can stress you out even before you get to work. Navy, black, navy, black…and eventually, after ten try-outs, you opt for the red one. Does this sound familiar? It does, admit it.
Silly, right? But it proves our point, we need to save our energy for more important decisions and tasks. Take Steve Jobs as an example, he wore the same outfit every day.
You get the whole picture – don’t spend your energy on minor decisions that will deplete your thinking capacity. Autopilot such decisions and put your “thinking hat” on only when it really matters.
Stay in the Moment
When we start to lose inspiration and focus, our thoughts often drift towards the weekend. Thinking about spending quality time with loved ones, losing yourself in a hobby, or just taking a well-deserved rest can help us reduce stress levels.
However, that’s just a cheap trick. Daydreaming in the office will ultimately hamper productivity, tasks will pile up, and stress will bounce back and shoot through the roof.
That’s why it’s important to stay energized and focused on the present moment. Postponing things will inevitably take a toll on overall happiness. Stop procrastinating and start getting things done now–even if it’s Wednesday. That way free time will be more fulfilling than one could ever imagine.
Embrace the Challenge
Since Wednesday is probably the most challenging day of the working week, try to think of it as a chance to show the world what you are made of. Use the obstacles you face as fuel for success. A good mindset can go a long way.
Remember that the progress made while fighting tiredness and discouragement will only make you stronger and more proud of your achievements. Even if you don’t see the immediate results of your hard work–keep going and it will eventually pay off.
Treat Yourself
You’re halfway there, you’ve earned a treat, don’t you agree? Even the best of us feel fatigued after sitting down for 7+ hours straight. Don’t be afraid to take some time for yourself.
Go for a walk, do some light stretching at your desk or indulge in your favorite treat: coffee, chocolate, or even a Slurpee, whatever rocks your boat.
Hopefully, these 5 tips will help you out. But, the truth is Wednesday is no different than any other day of the week if you’re in the right spirit. The middle of the week certainly has its challenges, but take them head-on with a right attitude and you’ll reap great rewards.
So, next time you look at a calendar and see Wednesday staring back at you, just put your positive hat on and conquer it with a smile.