#005: The Monday Myth

This episode of Un:Curve: The Podcast explores the reasons Monday has a bad reputation and if that reputation is deserved.

Here's a summary of what's covered:

• The universality of "Sunday Scaries" and the widespread acceptance of Monday as the worst day of the week.

• Research from the London School of Economics reveals that Tuesday is actually the lowest point of the week, not Monday. This is because Monday offers a "fresh start effect," which brings optimism and a sense of purpose.

• The concept of "forecasting error," where people predict they will be in a bad mood on Mondays, even though their actual mood is not significantly different from other weekdays. This suggests that Monday dread is based on perception, not reality.

• The role of culture in perpetuating the Monday myth, through office conversations, memes, and pop culture. This constant negative portrayal of Monday reinforces the belief that it's a terrible day.

• A "quiet revolution" challenging the Monday myth. This involves organizations implementing strategies like "Monday reset," where the start of the week is marked with activities that foster connection and a shared purpose, rather than mundane tasks.

• Companies experimenting with four-day workweeks, blurring the lines of the traditional workweek and allowing Monday to become an extension of the weekend. This challenges the status quo and provides insights into work-life balance and employee well-being.

• The idea that our perception of Monday is a story we tell ourselves. This episode challenges listeners to reframe their thinking about Monday and other ingrained narratives that may be flawed.