The most depressing day of the year is today. How’s that for a happy Monday, back to work, after the holidays thought?

I have to admit, there was a part of me feeling a bit of the Monday blues coming on over the weekend.

So I did a quick self-examination.

Who was I getting dressed for work today? Was it the worker amongst workers I have trained to be? Or the self-absorbed, self-important asshole I can revert to with lack of sleep?

I asked myself a few questions to get a reality check:

  • Am I bringing my own agenda to the job? Or am I bringing an attitude of service?
  • Do I believe and convey that my answer is the only right answer? Or am I open and willing to listen to other ideas? Or fears?
  • Do I have an attitude of Holier Than Thou? Or am I embracing and open to all ideas?
  • Do I have a sincere desire to be helpful? Or do I bring an attitude of self-importance?
  • Am I here only for a pay check? Or do I have a sincere desire to be here?
  • Am I motivated by self or service? Or am I motivated by what “you” think about me?
  • Where is my ego in all of this? Did I check it at the door? Or am I using it as a shield?
  • Am I talking at or with you? Am I present in our conversations? Are we collaborating? Or am I, once again, leading with my ego?

When I start to look at who got on the train today, and asked myself these questions, I was quickly able to see why I was the problem on this most depressing day of the year.

By the time my train reached its destination, a different Heather disembarked. This is the only Blue Monday I want to hear about today: