T.G.I.F. For so many individuals with a Monday through Friday 9:00 to 17:00 job, there can be no sweeter phrase. Yet, sometimes I wonder if we need a bit more perspective.I once worked for a principal I admired greatly. He was towards the end of his career as a principal (just a few years from retirement) and I believe his career was really starting to wear him down. It was clear to so many individuals that our leader was ready to retire. It had nothing to do with his competence (he was highly competent) or his ability to lead (he was a great leader) but his attitude said it all. On Monday mornings he would walk (or sometimes storm) into work….. often with a scowl on his face. I am not even sure he was consciously aware of his attitude. This, of course, affected the entire staff. It is hard to work with someone who struggles to be at work. On Fridays, he would often have a bounce in his step as he walked through the door.
He inspired me to become a leader in education… Why? In part because I realized the great effect one individual can have on the life of an institution. I did not necessarily want to lead a school at that point, but what I did begin to understand was that I did not want to work for someone else who did not really want to lead the school. I would rather be the one setting the tone than the one reacting to the tone….. and thus marked the start of my journey towards school administration.
I do like Fridays, in fact, I LOVE Fridays. I am not ashamed of this. I work hard during the week and I need to have my moment of rest. One of my favorite times of the week is Friday afternoon, when I hit my pillow after work and take a wonderful nap before I prepare Friday night dinner. That point of afternoon relaxation and escape is pure bliss. Yes, I LOVE Fridays, but the difference between myself and my former supervisor is that I do not hate Mondays. In fact, I enjoy them very much. I love working with kids and my colleagues are amazing, skilled professionals who are passionate about educating children. With a dynamic team there is no need for a work environment to be a source of gloom, it can be fun. Given that I spend more of my waking hours at work each weekday than at home, I am glad that it can be a place of joy.
So, today, 286 days ’til 40, as the clock strikes midnight and I head to sleep thrilled that Friday has arrived, I am also able to look forward to the week ahead. And, on Monday morning when my alarm clock sounds I will shout, “T.G.I.M.!!!”
~400daystil40
Fortuitous Forty!!! 
narf77
May 11, 2012 at 00:13
What an amazing principal! (both principal AND principle 😉 I just posted about a teacher who had affected me so predominately (unrealised until later in life) that my entire school career was affected by it. Teachers really don’t realise the power that they wield whenever they stand in front of a classroom of expectant students and my year 5 teacher halted my mathematical (and spelling for that matter) efforts up until now where I am having to relearn basic mathematics to complete my Diploma of Landscape Design (trig to be exact…). Teachers should be nurtured because they are turning out the minds of tomorrow…the attitudes of tomorrow…they should be being paid so much more because a teacher who has slipped through the nets and who simply is working to take home money is not who we need teaching our children. There are at least 1 schools worth of very lucky students to have a principal with an attitude like yours. No doubt these students will be given every opportunity to succeed and one day, you may find yourself the recipient of something akin to a “Tuesdays with Morrie” moment…students never forget good teachers (or in my case…bad ones! “NO TUESDAY FOR YOU MR PAGES OLIVER”!…)
400daystil40
May 11, 2012 at 11:03
So sad that one teacher affected you so greatly… I think so many teachers are not aware fo the great power they have (to damage or build up their students).
narf77
May 12, 2012 at 03:11
Especially when they have a whole classroom of children. There are always going to be one or two who slip through the net. There isn’t enough time to spend on each child and I am actually glad that I didn’t end up teaching (trained but never finished) English to high school students like I wanted when I left school…I think it would break your heart.
Beverly
May 11, 2012 at 00:13
Well said! Great perspective! I think how you react to Fridays and Mondays is a true indication of how happy you are with your current station in life.
400daystil40
May 11, 2012 at 11:02
Or at least how I write about how I react!!! Perhaps two months ago I might have said something different because all of our lives are fluid. 🙂
Beverly
May 11, 2012 at 14:54
haha so true! Though I enjoy my job, I’m just as tired on Monday as I am on Friday – though I’m never grouchy when I get in…as long as I have a cup of tea lol
dcwisdom
May 11, 2012 at 00:28
TGIF and Ranger Baseball at the Ballpark…Can’t get any better than that! 😉 Have a great weekend!
400daystil40
May 11, 2012 at 11:01
😉
buckwheatsrisk
May 11, 2012 at 00:53
what a great perspective and a wonderful gift you have in loving your job. thank you for being one of those that really do care about the children and staff! i wonder how much impact you will have on many in their future as they remember you?!
400daystil40
May 11, 2012 at 11:01
It is always amazing when a student comes back years later and let you know the impact you have had….. 🙂
buckwheatsrisk
May 11, 2012 at 19:56
i can imagine it would be!
Sid Dunnebacke
May 11, 2012 at 03:44
It’s like They say: It’s all attitude.
400daystil40
May 11, 2012 at 11:00
Definitely!
thelastsongiheard
May 11, 2012 at 07:35
I love new hire training… I used to love training existing employees, but frankly, over the past year, many of them have just used the training sessions to whine. Frankly it makes me feel a bit… apathetic towards them and I’ve told them they’re throwing rocks at the wrong person… but anyway… new hires are great… they SO want to impress, or at least most of them do… with the others, you get a sense of accomplishment if you can get them to put their cell phones away LOL
400daystil40
May 11, 2012 at 11:00
So very true! Why can’t they stay like that (new hire syndrome) forever????
liz
May 11, 2012 at 09:29
it’s so wonderful to hear how much you love your job, how excited it makes you! 🙂
400daystil40
May 11, 2012 at 11:00
🙂
seakist
May 11, 2012 at 14:28
Now this is a good way to put it into perspective! All my life, I’ve been so blessed (and lucky — as in making my own luck) to have jobs I loved and was able to use my creativity to the fullest — and thought of myself as a bit of a workaholic. I never hated Mondays either and I used to pity people who said, “TGIF” as I felt they were wishing their lives away.
Now, running my own business — it’s the best job ever. But also, I’ve never worked harder, so I totally understand the love for a Friday (I don’t work on Fridays, I squeeze everything into four days!) I’m so happy to have the day off to shop and do chores — and equally as happy as putting in a hard day’s work! I finally GET IT!
Excellent post!!
400daystil40
May 12, 2012 at 00:26
Wow, how wonderful that you are self-employed…. something I have thought about a lot as I continue on the journey towards 40…..
viveka
May 11, 2012 at 15:13
Personal I love Mondays .. and always done so long as I worked with food. Because weekend – is when all friends are busy with their families and most of weekend means work for a chef. Mondays is when shops, banks and post offices are nearly empty – everything is so easily done. No stress .. anywhere. Today when I don’t work anymore … everyday is a good day – and I lose track of both witch day it’s and date. Couldn’t care less … a bit of a problem when I have hospital appointments – always mess them up. Last year I was one day to early for one .. and one day too late for an other. Everyday should be a good day really, but I know why and understand why Fridays are important to everyone else. Enjoy your weekend.
400daystil40
May 12, 2012 at 00:25
🙂 Very interesting point! Depending on the industry you are in, different days can be tough!!!
basildonkitchens
May 11, 2012 at 16:18
I like to think of TGIF as an accomplishment! …of all the great things I did this week. ….more of a “hooray, look what I did this week” rather than “thank goodness that’s over!”
Kind of a glass half full view, rather than the glass half empty one! 🙂
400daystil40
May 12, 2012 at 00:24
Great points!!! 🙂
sued51
May 11, 2012 at 17:13
You are truly blessed to have found your passion and it happens to be in area where you can give to others. 🙂
400daystil40
May 12, 2012 at 00:24
Thanks!!! 🙂
handustry
May 11, 2012 at 17:43
I’ve spent about 20 years working different jobs I didn’t like. I was good at them but really didn’t like, either the work, or the ambiance the work place. Now I have this incredible chance to work the most amazing job (for me) so far in the best place I could ever imagine. I only work a few hours a week because of my condition and the various family obligations I have.
It would be sad if I had to find another job somewhere else. But if it has to be, I know that during job interviews I will stress with several questions how it is important for me to know what kind of environment I would be working in, and even have a chance to meet potential future coworkers. A pleasant work place has now become my first criteria.
‘Cause it’s way more fun to do something a bit boring with fun people than doing exciting things with people you don’t feel really connected to.
Have a great Friday
400daystil40
May 12, 2012 at 00:24
Such a good point, I would do the same if/ when I ever switch jobs.
hammockmoment
May 12, 2012 at 23:01
What a great post! I work Tues-Sat which I thought was the reason I didn’t have the Monday blues other people moan about. The fact is I really love what I do so even if it means I don’t get to stay up late on Friday nights!
I do think positivity makes a heck of a difference though, so even if you’re not in your dream job try to remember to smile. It’ll make you feel so much better than that person with the sour face.
400daystil40
May 12, 2012 at 23:37
Yes, you are so right!