For the first time in ages – I managed to get ahead of my work and spend some time performing a sweep of my inbox and other main collection points.

Nothing unusual there.

Except this time, driving home, I felt physically lighter, happier, and ready for enjoying the weekend. It was an excellent feeling – and I’ll be planning that exercise in every Friday evening from now on.

Monday morning – and the temperature is set to hit 30 degrees celsius today, how could I need any more reasons to be cheerful?

• I’m off to Brighton for a couple of days – disconnected from work, nice hotel, nice dinner, a walk around the Laines, maybe some time on the seafront.
• Very close to making an hire on a new member of my team, have met some great people whilst interviewing, looking forward to building the team out.
• OH yeah, did I mention – its THIRTY degrees celsius out there? Life doesn’t get any better.

Why are you cheerful today?

Monday morning again – and I’m convinced this one is going to be a great one. Why do I think that?

I have tons of reasons:

• The weekend was great, I made chicken soup, bought a new 24 inch monitor for the home office – and a bike for me to go riding with my son. I even managed to relax some.
• This picture from Shorpy made me smile – I love the look on the guys face as he holds the fluffy pooch – and the chin up on the lady on the kerb. Fantastic.
• I’m recruiting for a new tech lead position in my team – I love the interviewing process, getting to meet new & smart people, and hopefully helping someone’s career is one of the best bits of my job.
• The football season ended with a win for my team. It wasn’t a great season – but now we have the world cup to look forward to.

Hope your week is as awesome as mine is going to be – what are your reasons?

Monday rolls round – and another week stretches out before us, ready for us to make our mark. Amazing how a little sunshine here in Berkshire can brighten the mood, here are my reasons to be cheerful this week.

• First BBQ of the year yesterday with lovely family and friends, steaks, salads and a couple of cold beers rounded the weekend off just nicely.
• Sharon Jones and the Dap-Kings release their new album today – I Learned the Hard Way, very excited to hear this, sounds reminiscent of the sould and funk sounds of the late 60’s and 70’s – James Brown, Ike and Tina Turner. Great stuff for spring sunshine.
• 50% exactly at clay shooting yesterday in Wokingham – I’m slowly getting better and learning my way into handling a shotgun.
• Aliens almost certainly exist – says Steven Hawking, but apparently we should stay well clear!
• It is international #boobquake day, to test if cleavage can cause earthquakes (seriously he really said it)… I am generally in favour of this.
• My new shed got delivered this morning! An Englishmans shed is his castle apparently, so I’m finally building my castle.

What are your reasons to be cheerful today?

Gadzooks! I broked my website AND went away for a weekend with no PC! I could blog from my netbook, but I had no tools to fix me up! Anyways I’m back, it’s Monday morning and I’m feeling might chipper today…here’s some reasons why:

• I had a great weekend in the countryside, fresh air and blue skies are the best thing to recharge the batteries and prepare for the weekend ahead.
• Rob gave 2000 people a high-five on the way to work in New York…watch the smiles crack over otherwise thoroughly depressed faces, there are 2000 people with at least one more reason to be cheerful.
• I have a key hiring decision that will be completed tomorrow – meaning a new addition to my team is imminent.
• The volcano is still spewing ash clouds over Europe – but on the upside, a temporary hiatus on travel cannot be a bad thing for us frequent travellers. A chance to get ahead maybe? A chance to use some of the technology at our disposal to stay in contact with remote stakeholders?
• This Jay-Z parody is awesome – bought to you from New Hampshire…
• Although I didn’t get the job, things are still good and I’m really excited about the next few months at work.

What makes you so cheerful today?

Monday morning, I’ve taken Nick’s advice and I’m in the office at 8.25 not 8.33, the blank page of a new week stretches out for me… what reasons do I have to be cheerful this morning:

• My list of actions for this week is clear, concise and well planned – I’m ready to achieve. Is yours? Are you?
• Classic movie quotes get the infographics treatment – ‘places to put baby’ is my favourite
• Crazy in Love by Beyonce gets the piano cover treatment with 1930’s (?) video– this one is excellent, check out the other work by Maxence Cyrin.
• I’m not travelling anywhere – last week was disjointed with trips to Germany in the middle of four day week – this week, I’m in my office, where I can be organised and creative.
• This infographic about infographics might cause a rip in the fabric of space and time – but it made me smile on the way.
• Plan B is an English singer, rapper and actor who has a ‘>new album (Amazon link) released today – ‘The Defamation of Strickland Banks’ is the second album from Plan B – check out the single ‘She Said’ on Spotify.  Highly recommend this talented London artist.

What reasons do you have?

Monday morning, and you are in the office early – 7am here, and just getting light outside, what possible reasons could there be for being cheerful?

• The clocks may have gone forward, so the evenings are lighter – so getting in earlier means getting away earlier as the summer months get closer.
• Maybe its your sons birthday tomorrow and his excitement is rubbing off on the whole family.
• No-one else is in the office and you are already cranking the handle of your to-do list.
• Maybe you spotted this – the best tabloid headline ever, or maybe this REALLY is.
• Oh, and if you need a soundtrack – EMI have remastered and rereleased all of Duran Duran’s back catalogue. You can find their stuff over on Spotify – may I suggest ‘The Chauffeur’ for some Monday morning memories

Anyway, its Monday – why are YOU so cheerful?

Ready for a new week? Here are some reasons to be cheerful…

• You have a chance to discuss the Oscars round the watercooler should Avatar have won more? Was Hurt Locker any good? (Answers: Maybe, and Yes)
• I got loads achieved last week – and this week looks great as well, I’m on a flight to Seattle this afternoon to hang out with my team.
• The new Gorillaz album is out today – it is marvellous, full of great collaborations and amazing beats.
• My actions for the week look achievable and interesting – this weeks pages are blank and inviting.

What has got you chipper today?

Monday morning – I’m ready… are you? Reasons to be cheerful today…

• My Spotify playlist is already pumping away – check it out here.
• Brits tomorrow – should be fun, keep my predictions handy
• Fellow ‘softie and friend Mel Carson has published a great whitepaper – download his Social Media White Paper here.
• Champs League Football is back
• My notebook is ready and full of blank pages to start the week:

What has you feeling amazing on this Monday morning?

Monday morning – the blank page of another awesome week stretches ahead, here are my reasons to be cheerful today…

• Heligoland by Massive Attack comes out today – superbly weird and wonderful, full of amazing collaborations, Albarn, Guy Garvey and Tunde – unbelievable.
• From Pong to Little Big Planet – the history of video gaming in one easy timeline
• These amazing Coca-Cola bottle designs would brighten any day – can we have some in England please?
• Its 9.25 and I’ve already crossed two items from my task list this week – fingers crossed for an action packed week!

What is keeping your chin up this morning?