Cure the Monday Blues

Content

In the middle of a strenuous workweek, how often do you catch yourself saying that you're just trying to get to Friday? It's probably not a rare occurrence, and, to Groff, that's a problem.

In the middle of a strenuous workweek, how often do you catch yourself saying that you're just trying to get to Friday? It's probably not a rare occurrence, and, to Groff, that's a problem.

Content

She pulls off a balancing act in Today Was Fun by writing a book with an important message but making it feel fun and engaging. The author immediately sets the tone for the book—which gives readers rules and anecdotes to make their work life more enjoyable—by discussing her mother's background as a kindergarten teacher and her father's as an elementary school principal. Even as a child, Groff understood how much her parents each enjoyed their jobs and being around their colleagues. Her experience as an adult turned out to be a little bit different.

She pulls off a balancing act in Today Was Fun by writing a book with an important message but making it feel fun and engaging. The author immediately sets the tone for the book—which gives readers rules and anecdotes to make their work life more enjoyable—by discussing her mother's background as a kindergarten teacher and her father's as an elementary school principal. Even as a child, Groff understood how much her parents each enjoyed their jobs and being around their colleagues. Her experience as an adult turned out to be a little bit different.

Content

It becomes clear that Groff wrote Today Was Fun for a new generation of workers-not necessarily a specific generation, but the next wave of leaders who will be in management positions for the next few decades. That cohort isn't interested in "50-page slide decks with 10-point font, a standard two weeks of vacation, and not having time to pee between meetings," as she puts it.

It becomes clear that Groff wrote Today Was Fun for a new generation of workers-not necessarily a specific generation, but the next wave of leaders who will be in management positions for the next few decades. That cohort isn't interested in "50-page slide decks with 10-point font, a standard two weeks of vacation, and not having time to pee between meetings," as she puts it.

Content

Instead, the author writes about establishing a new normal that doesn't revolve around that "just gotta get to Friday" mentality. The new normal should be about reaching a point where work is a source of joy. To achieve that, Groff developed seven rules for better days at work that revolve around making work a joyous experience while recognizing that it shouldn't be the only joy in one's life. In other words, don't neglect family, friends, or your social life for work (Groff's seventh rule is "Get good at life, not just work").

Instead, the author writes about establishing a new normal that doesn't revolve around that "just gotta get to Friday" mentality. The new normal should be about reaching a point where work is a source of joy. To achieve that, Groff developed seven rules for better days at work that revolve around making work a joyous experience while recognizing that it shouldn't be the only joy in one's life. In other words, don't neglect family, friends, or your social life for work (Groff's seventh rule is "Get good at life, not just work").

Content

What really resonates with me is that the author does not try to paint life or work as picture-perfect that's always going to be fun. She acknowledges that there will be tough days and tough people. And that's OK, because a through line that Groff continues to come back to is her belief that work is fundamentally good. It should not be a painful experience that feels like a drag or that causes you to dread getting up in the morning. Work can be a good time with good people, where you can develop skills.

What really resonates with me is that the author does not try to paint life or work as picture-perfect that's always going to be fun. She acknowledges that there will be tough days and tough people. And that's OK, because a through line that Groff continues to come back to is her belief that work is fundamentally good. It should not be a painful experience that feels like a drag or that causes you to dread getting up in the morning. Work can be a good time with good people, where you can develop skills.