As a financial advisor, I try not to overthink Mondays.

Monday kicks off the week with a hefty dose of overwhelm, reminding me that I’m still under-resourced as my week gets rolling. Consequently, Monday’s the day I most often consider hiring additional internal support.

Monday’s the day that my team looks to me to establish the tone and focus of the week. Although there’s a lot coming at me, it’s important that I’m energized and attentive; after all, my team is probably feeling similarly overwhelmed and taking cues from me.

Mondays are my heaviest inbound client-communication day. The increase in outreach makes sense, given the proximity to the weekend. Over the weekend, clients interact with friends, family, and news outlets, which plant the seeds of new ideas to discuss with me. They’re also catching up on personal financial stuff over the weekend. So Monday is the logical culmination after all these interactions.

Monday’s the day that I field the most questions from my team. It’s the day when I have to deflect the most salespeople. Everyone’s trying to get their week started the right way, and I’m often a bottleneck for a handful of people. So I try to make myself available.

But like I said, I try not to overthink Mondays. I slow my breath a little more often and remind myself of the potential that lies in the week ahead. You might relate to this poem from Ben Horowitz, a former CEO and current VC leader, who knows a thing or two about The Struggle.

The Struggle is when you wonder why you started the company in the first place.

The Struggle is when people ask you why you don’t quit and you don’t know the answer.

The Struggle is when your employees think you are lying and you think they may be right.

The Struggle is when food loses its taste.

The Struggle is when you don’t believe you should be CEO of your company. The Struggle is when you know that you are in over your head and you know that you cannot be replaced. The Struggle is when everybody thinks you are an idiot, but nobody will fire you. The Struggle is where self-doubt becomes self-hatred.

The Struggle is when you are having a conversation with someone and you can’t hear a word that they are saying because all you can hear is The Struggle.

The Struggle is when you want the pain to stop. The Struggle is unhappiness.

The Struggle is when you go on vacation to feel better and you feel worse.

The Struggle is when you are surrounded by people and you are all alone. The Struggle has no mercy.

The Struggle is the land of broken promises and crushed dreams. The Struggle is a cold sweat. The Struggle is where your guts boil so much that you feel like you are going to spit blood.

The Struggle is not failure, but it causes failure. Especially if you are weak. Always if you are weak.

Most people are not strong enough.

Every great entrepreneur from Steve Jobs to Mark Zuckerberg went through The Struggle and struggle they did, so you are not alone. But that does not mean that you will make it. You may not make it. That is why it is The Struggle.

The Struggle is where greatness comes from.

I hope you can breathe, relax, and find comfort in knowing that you’re not alone out there on a Monday. I think the struggle is particularly acute at the beginning of a week, especially for FA’s. As your personal clientele increases, you’ll likely notice it more.

I’m inspired by the work I see each of you doing to become the best version of yourself. You’re not just fulfilling functional jobs for people. You’re a seasoned counselor, giving a piece of your heart to your clients to help them live their best lives.

I’m confident your clients are in far better circumstances because of your willingness to engage in the struggle—on a Monday, and every day thereafter.

Please comment on anything that comes to mind as you read this post, I’d love to hear from you or field any questions you have. Have a great week.

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