Does everyone get the Sunday Scaries?

Earlier I posted the definition of the Sunday Scaries. (I will re-post below) Why? I have always thought about the Sunday Scaries as a condition that afflicts startup founders. It turns out that it affects people beyond startup founders. I had a “Rain Man” moment and looked through my 5K+ subscribers to try to see some patterns. It turns out that about half are startup founders. The rest are from the AEC and CRE industry. I skimmed those and I saw a pattern emerge. Most of the people that have subscribed are in the innovation areas of large businesses. So, I sat down and thought about it a bit. The base assumption being that if you subscribe to a newsletter called Sunday Scaries, that you have some level of this condition.
This led me to contemplate, are there common traits for my readership.

Individuals who experience the Sunday Scaries often share certain personality traits or characteristics. While not everyone will fit neatly into these categories, common traits may include:

1. Anxiety Sensitivity - These individuals may have a predisposition to anxiety, making them more susceptible to stress about upcoming responsibilities. I wish I was one of those people that are what  call “ducks”. Stress is like water and they are ducks.

2. Perfectionism - A desire for perfection can lead to heightened stress as they worry about meeting expectations or failing to complete tasks. This is one of those that ebbs and flows with me. I think I have a good handle on 80% is probably good enough but we all have our days.

3. Procrastination Tendencies - People who procrastinate may feel overwhelmed by tasks, leading to a build-up of anxiety as the weekend ends. My biggest challenge, paired with committing to too much is my recipe for disaster.  

4. Low Stress Tolerance - Some individuals may struggle with managing stress, causing them to feel particularly anxious when anticipating work-related challenges. I have my set of tools to help me manage stress better.

5. Overthinkers - Those prone to overthinking may ruminate on the week ahead, amplifying feelings of dread or worry. Uggh.

6. Introversion - Introverted individuals may find social interactions and workplace dynamics draining, leading to anxiety about returning to those environments.

7. Need for Control - A strong desire to control situations can lead to stress when facing uncertainty or unpredictability in the upcoming week.

8. Low Job Satisfaction - Individuals who are unhappy in their jobs may experience more intense Sunday Scaries as they dread returning to an unsatisfactory work environment.

9. Lack clarity on next moves - Individuals that don’t have clarity on what their next best move should be. One of my least favorite people with one of the best quotes is Mike Tyson. “Everyone has a plan until they are punched in the face.”

10. Endgame - Individuals that do not have a focused endgame. The ability to start with the end in mind, and build a plan towards it, is a vital part of strategic growth. When you don’t know the endgame, you are lost.

I doubt anyone reading this can check all the boxes (at least I hope not), but you can probably check a few of them. As an engineer, I can’t help but try to nail this down to a root cause.

My first thinking was simple. People that have the Sunday Scaries are all ambitious. Done.

Then I started thinking that ambition is not an uncommon thing. It must be something else. Then I came up with big ambitions. Still didn’t seem on point. So here is my hypothesis
People with the Sunday Scaries are mission focused with deep ambitions but lack the resources to execute on them. They also have a bit of imposters syndrome that if they were given the right resources they may fail.

The Sunday Scaries are not bad, they just exist.

As many of you know, I have been in Northern California. My mission has been to meet with the top VCs and startups to build relationships. I do believe that the next 10 year cycle of startups and successful investors will be in the Bay Area. My ambition is monstrous. Create a platform of capital and know-how to innovate the built environment for mine and generations to come. Why spend time here? I believe that being here will attract the resources that I need to execute on my ambition. So, what’s my Sunday Scary? What if I moved here, had access to all the resources and still failed. In a world, where someone could take all your excuses away, then all you are left to do is to execute on your ambition. Right?!?

The term "Sunday Scaries" refers to the anxiety or dread that many people feel on Sunday evenings as they anticipate the upcoming workweek. Common feelings associated with the Sunday Scaries include:

- **Anxiety about Monday:** The thought of returning to work or school can create stress.
- **Racing Thoughts:** Concerns about tasks, deadlines, or responsibilities can lead to overthinking.
- **Mood Changes:** Some people might feel more irritable or down as the weekend comes to a close.
- **Procrastination:** A desire to avoid work can lead to putting off necessary tasks until Monday.

This phenomenon is quite common and can affect anyone, regardless of their job or lifestyle. Strategies to cope with the Sunday Scaries may include planning enjoyable activities for Sunday nights, practicing mindfulness or relaxation techniques, and preparing for the week ahead to alleviate anxiety.