Monday Madness

Tavia Robinson
Jan 26
2 min read

Monday Madness | Response-ability

“You may not be able to control all the events of your life, but you can control your attitude.” — Judith Orloff, MD

As we enter another Monday—amid shifting headlines, economic uncertainty, political tension, and the emotional weight that January often brings—this quote invites us into one of the most foundational coaching principles: response-ability.

In coaching, we distinguish between what is within our locus of control and what is not. While external events may feel relentless, our mindset, self-talk, and internal narrative remain powerful levers for personal leadership and sustainable performance.

Pause here for a moment:

Create space from the noise.

Take a slow breath in… and exhale intentionally.

Again—inhale clarity… exhale tension.

One more time—inhale presence… exhale urgency.

This simple pause is not avoidance; it is self-regulation—a core leadership competency.

The Role of Positive Self-Talk

Positive self-talk is the internal dialogue that shapes how we interpret challenges, navigate stress, and show up under pressure. It is not about denial or forced optimism; rather, it is about intentional reframing—choosing language that supports resilience, confidence, and forward momentum.

According to 7 Summit Pathways (2022), positive self-talk helps individuals:

Regulate emotional responses
Recover more effectively from setbacks
Strengthen self-belief during moments of uncertainty

Research highlighted by Healthline further connects positive self-talk to:

Increased vitality and life satisfaction
Reduced stress and emotional distress
Improved immune and cardiovascular health
Enhanced overall physical well-being

From a coaching lens, this reinforces a key truth:

*The quality of our thinking directly impacts the quality of our leadership.

As Dr. Judith Orloff notes, positive self-talk can help reprogram habitual fear-based thinking, allowing individuals to lead with intention rather than reaction.

This Week’s Leadership Challenge

Consider adopting this affirmation:

“I will be grateful for what is working in my life rather than obsessing on what has gone wrong.

I will focus on seeing the best in myself and others.”

Reflection questions to consider—and perhaps share with your team:

Where am I giving my energy right now: toward possibility or toward problem saturation?
What internal narrative is shaping how I lead this week?
How might my self-talk be influencing my decision-making, communication, or presence?
What would intentional optimism look like—not as avoidance, but as strategy?

In times like these, intentional mindset is not soft—it is strategic leadership.

Choose to pause.

Choose to reframe.

Choose to model the emotional intelligence you want to see in others.

Be intentional—and encourage those around you to do the same.

Then pay attention to what shifts.

You do not have to control everything to lead effectively.

You only have to lead what is yours.

You’ve got this!

— Coach Tavia, PCC, MSEd, MAT

#MondayMadness #LeadershipMindset #PositiveSelfTalk #ExecutiveCoaching #LeadershipDevelopment #EmotionalIntelligence #SelfAwareness #ResilientLeadership #IntentionalLiving #CoachPerspective #PCCCoach #LeadWithPurpose #MindsetMatters #DoTheWork #LeadByExample #BePresent #JanuaryReset #WeatherTheStorm

References

Verywell Mind — How to Use Positive Self-Talk for Stress Relief
https://www.verywellmind.com/how-to-use-positive-self-talk-for-stress-relief-3144726
Orloff, Judith, MD. Thriving as an Empath: 365 Days of Self-Care for Sensitive People. Sounds True, Boulder, CO, 2022.
Healthline — Positive Self-Talk: Benefits and Techniques
https://www.healthline.com/health/positive-self-talk