Every time we decide to start a new life, take up sports, or stop procrastinating on important tasks, we inevitably say, “Well, let’s start on Monday.” Where does this magical word “Monday” come from in our minds? In fact, it’s not just a calendar stamp — Monday carries its own psychological weight.

First, Monday is conventionally seen as the “beginning” of the workweek: after the weekend, our brains are ready for a fresh batch of tasks. Second, we love special dates — they give us the illusion of a clean slate. Research on the “temporal landmark effect” shows that people tend to plan changes for the next “significant” day: a birthday, the first day of the month, a new horoscope cycle, and, of course, Monday.

But the most interesting part is that it’s just an excuse. By postponing to Monday, we give ourselves a breather — and end up delaying even longer. Remember, if you didn’t get something done today, tomorrow you’ll be waiting for Monday again… and so on indefinitely. Instead, you can use a “five-minute rule”: devote just five minutes to the task right now, silencing your inner procrastinator.

Maybe it’s time to stop waiting for the “perfect” Monday and start today? After all, every moment you take responsibility into your own hands becomes your launch point. Don’t let the calendar run your life — create your own dates and celebrate small victories every single day!