The TikTok generation keeps churning out new workplace catchphrases. The most recent addition is “Bare Minimum Monday.” According to this trend, after dreading the Sunday Scaries, you can low-key get through the new workweek by coasting through a bare-minimum approach on Monday.
The concept is similar to quiet quitting, as you work—but not too hard. As the name suggests, you do enough to get by without stressing yourself out. TikToker Marisa Jo brought this trend to light, and it went viral on the social media platform with about 1.8 million views and counting.
You don’t need a survey to know that Monday isn’t the happiest day of the workweek. However, to cement this fact, in a 2021 poll by YouGov, nearly 60% of the more than 4,000 U.S. adults surveyed said that Monday was their least favorite day of the week.
Feeling the abrupt shift from a lovely, long weekend enjoying family, friends or dates, going to concerts, taking a trip or catching a show, concert or sporting event, it may take more than coasting through Monday to get back in the rhythm at work. For those needing extra time, there is always “Try-Less Tuesday.”
While these new terminologies may seem cute and funny, they show the dark side of work. It can be challenging, stressful or tedious, often leaving people disengaged or feeling unappreciated. While the names of these trends may be new, the sentiments have been widespread since people started working in an office.
They Call It Work Because It’s Not Play Or Fun
Many adopters of these trends share the ideology that work is work, and it’s not fun. If this were about a year ago, the TikTokers would be promoting the Great Resignation or, until recently, “rage applying” to jobs to find a better-paying opportunity that offers growth and advancement.
In light of the thousands of white-collar, college-educated professionals getting laid off, seeking a new position is unnerving. When things go south, you don’t want to be the last one hired and the first one fired. Like acting your wage, you begrudgingly do your job because you feel stuck. Of course, TikTok has a name for this—“Resenteeism.” This is when you really want to quit or quiet quit, but are too afraid to rock the boat at work or go on an interview and risk someone alerting the boss, resulting in you losing your job.
If you feel trapped, consider “career cushioning,” the act of building job security. This entails simultaneously making yourself indispensable at work, while hedging your bets, seeking out recruiters and stealthily keeping an eye open for job openings in your field.
How You Can Cope And Succeed In Getting The Workweek Started Right
To avoid that Monday dread, plan and prepare for the week ahead. During the weekend, take some time to think about what you need to do and would like to accomplish throughout the week. Pick out your wardrobe in advance. Go to sleep early enough, so you can wake up refreshed. Do some Yoga, meditate, go for a run, do a mini workout or do anything that gets you energized. These activities will help alleviate your mind of any fears. You will feel good about yourself, as you’re being productive and forward-thinking.
Once you’re in the office or working remotely, you must “eat the frog first,” meaning you should do the task you most dread first. If you procrastinate, the task will loom over your head all day, making you miserable. If you eat the frog, it’s done and over with, freeing your mind to pursue other, more pleasant tasks.
Change Your Mindset Or Your Job
It’s easy to complain and default to a terrible mood. This will not help and is actually harmful. People who pick up on your negative vibe will not want to collaborate with you. The cool projects will be handed off to someone else on the team, and your boss will be irritated by your poor attitude.
Think of something positive. It could be the lunch date you scheduled with some co-workers or an after-work event with friends. If times go by and you’re still feeling dissatisfied and disengaged at work, talk to your manager. Ask if you both can job craft your role, adding different assignments with which you would be excited to be involved. If you’ve been doing good work and getting accolades from management, ask for a promotion, new title and higher compensation. If that doesn’t happen, life is too short to be miserable. Start looking for another opportunity elsewhere.
Source: Forbes
