The Work Week

I don't know about you but there are some days I just really hate and wish it would over and done with quickly.

I used to work in retails, so the concept of "work week" did not exist. However, it was more flexible then you think.

Since retails are open all 7 days, you need to be creative in how you take your days off. It created a perfect work and day off balance for me and I had never felt over burn or stress out (with the except of holiday chaos).

My schedule was to take Monday and Thursday off. I did enjoy working on the weekends because that's where the big money come from (I worked commission). After a successful weekend, I would have Monday off to spend time at home or shop. When I return to work Tuesday, I know that after working 2 or 3 days, I will have day off again. So, with the way I had schedule, I only worried about working 2 or 3 days before getting a day to recover or in some cases, "a day of nothingness."

However, most businesses do not work this way and the 5 day work week is a reason for lots of stress. Does anyone really recover over the weekend?

Monday:
It is not as bad as you think. I have noticed that Monday fly by pretty fast. It's true that time neither speed up or slow down but the perception on Monday is a pain, hence, "I Hate Mondays" and because it's the start of the work week... But if it flies by fast, it's not that bad.

Tuesday:
I have a dislike for Tuesday... for some reason, Tuesday moves slower and time seems to be at a snail pace and maybe because you realized the week has started and the grind is beginning.

Wednesday:
The "Hump Day." Wednesday is odd, it depends on how you look at it. "I have survived half the week" is looking at it positively but "Yuck, half more to go" is somewhat a negative view. But at least you're half done and only half to go.

Thursday:
I also found a dislike for Thursday. It is the "you are almost done but not yet" day. You know you're winding down to the weekend but there is still Friday waiting. Your body is already stressed out from Monday to Wednesday but you STILL have another day to fight through.

Friday:
I never understood the "TGIF" until I worked a Monday-Friday job. It is the last day of the work week and the good part, the time is ticking down to weekend. You are just waiting for that last minute and then you will speed out the door. It's like freedom from jail!

Why don't companies have stress-free days or some activities that help its employees?

Take a look at a hockey rink in the office. I think it's innovative and great way to build team work or relief stress.

You have no idea what a hockey rink in an office like this will do for productivity. I would love to strap on some skates and go for a 15min skate when at work.

If your company can't afford an artificial hockey rink (something like $20k for that size), why not spend it on a video game system like Wii, Xbox360 Kinect and/or Playstation 3 Move? It will cost less and with sports related titles, I'm sure your staff will appreciate the opportunity to de-stress.