Lessons from my worst Monday ever (and how to turn a bad day around)

Resilience, adaptability, and the mindset shift that changes everything 

There are Mondays… and then there are those Mondays.

You know the ones. You open your laptop to a blue screen. You’ve prepped for the wrong meeting. Your coffee leaks through your keep cup onto your white shirt. And your to-do list? Laughing at you from the corner of the screen like a villain in a movie.

That was my Monday. And it wasn’t even 9:15 a.m.

I could feel the stress rising. That frazzled, disoriented feeling that makes you want to cancel the day, reheat yesterday’s lunch, and hide under a desk.

But here’s what I know from years of leading and mentoring others: it’s not the bad day that defines you, it’s what you do next.

When leadership gets real

This isn’t a story about a crisis. It’s a story about something far more common and much more relatable.

Because for emerging and aspiring leaders, there’s often an unspoken expectation to always have it together.

To stay calm. To look in control.

To never let the team see you wobble.

But the truth? Every leader, whether you’re in your first role or leading an entire organisation, hits moments where things unravel.

And in those moments, we don’t need perfection.

We need tools.

We need perspective.

We need the kind of resilience and adaptability that keeps us grounded, even when everything around us feels like a storm.

A navigation lesson in real time

I’ve come to think of leadership as a kind of navigation.

Some days are smooth sailing. Others are gusty, uncertain, full of unexpected currents.

That Monday? Full storm.

But here’s the thing, resilient leaders don’t panic when the weather turns. They adjust the sails. 

Instead of letting the stress dictate my day, I chose to re-centre: 

• I paused (yes, literally stepped outside)

• I reminded myself this isn’t all of me, it’s just one rough patch

• And I focused on one meaningful thing I could do well, right now

It wasn’t heroic. It wasn’t pretty. But it was powerful.

That’s the part of leadership no one puts on social media highlight reels.

It’s not flashy. But it’s real. And it’s what gets you through.

Mindset, motivation and micro-shifts

I often say that mindset is more than just positive thinking it’s your internal compass. And when the day starts going sideways, your ability to steer your focus becomes everything.

For me, the mental soundtrack that day started with:

• “You’re already behind.”

• “You should’ve done better.”

• “You’re not ready for this.”

But here’s the truth: resilience isn’t about ignoring those thoughts. It’s about knowing when not to trust them. 

It’s about building enough awareness to say,

“Hang on. That might not be true. And even if it feels true, what’s the most helpful next step?”

This kind of mindset flexibility is key to staying adaptable—not just when things are going well, but especially when they’re not.

Why I didn't "Push Through" this time

Old me would’ve tried to push through.

Power through the day, fix everything, pretend it didn’t throw me off.

But I’ve learned that high-achieving leaders, especially those still finding their rhythm, often mistake pressure for progress.

Instead, I reset.

I gave myself permission to slow down, recalibrate, and re-approach the day with intention.

And that one intentional shift saved my week.

The leadership lesson that stayed with me

That Monday is now one of my favourite stories to share.

Not because of what went wrong but because of what I did differently.

I didn’t lose my way.

I redirected with purpose.

Resilience isn’t about being unshakeable.

Adaptability isn’t about changing everything.

It’s about knowing how to respond when things don’t go to plan.

It’s about small, consistent practices that build strength, perspective, and trust.

And most importantly, it’s about choosing to show up, even when it’s not perfect.

Final thoughts: you don't need a perfect Monday 

You just need a moment of pause.

A tool to help you navigate.

A reminder that a rough start doesn’t mean a wasted day.

The next time a Monday hits hard, remember:

You’re allowed to reset. You’re allowed to pivot.

And you’re absolutely allowed to lead with heart even when things feel messy.