Whether you’re IN a job or between jobs, Monday mornings during job search can be tough.

Is this you?

You’re in a job and are so eager to find a new one. So Monday mornings are a reminder you’re still stuck where you don’t want to be. But one Monday after another comes and goes, and each week you don't do anything job search related until Wednesday or Thursday. After all, you have a job and it's keeping you so busy....

Or is this?

You’re between jobs and Monday mornings remind you that there is no office to report into. Whether you’re an individual contributor, a manager or executive, your energy has nowhere to land for the day. The sense of loss is profound and can be powerfully dispiriting.

Both are symptoms of Monday Morning Syndrome. Or the Monday Morning Job Search Blues.

How to beat the blues? Here are a few ideas about planning around them:

• Plan to get out of the house! Getting out of your house or apartment on a Monday, morning especially, even being at the library or local cafe, will reset your energy. Bring your laptop or tablet and make a list of target contacts for the next week or two, or do research on companies, for example. Doing tasks like these keep your search moving forward.

• Plan and schedule networking meetings for Monday mornings. Make good use of that time; don’t use it to start planning your week, something you should have done last week or over the weekend. You’ll have that to look forward to instead of an empty, lonely morning.

• Plan: Avoid the role of being “errand runner” for the family, if you are between jobs. Sometimes family members will say, “You’re not doing anything this week, can you take the dog to the vet? Check in on Mom? Talk with Josh’s teacher?” While those are worthy activities, your job now is to find a good job, so talk about this with your family, making sure to set that priority with everyone. And make sure everyone possible is taking care of the errands.

• Plan to meet with a job search "buddy" either via Zoom or at a coffee shop, each with your own set of job search goals set from the week before. See how you each did with your own goals, and how you rewarded yourselves for meeting your goals.

• On Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday,send invitations to contacts to do networking meetings this week. As a client of mine, Jim, says, "The replies will come in on Monday, making your email that morning full of replies, and many will be 'yes'. It’s great!"

• For those IN jobs who are always struggling with inadequate time for their search, working with a job search coach who’s on call to you can keep you on track will give you a sense of "I'm doing something for myself and my search", instead of you having yet another week slip by. Yes, it's what I do, but so often clients tell me that hiring a coach is a serious commitment that helps them stick to their goals and cuts back on wasted time.

So what are YOU doing today, Monday?

What are YOUR plans? Act on them and make your plans so that during your search, Monday mornings, and all day Monday, count for you and get you closer to that great job for you.

What works for you? Please share with others in job search, below.