Days of data!
A recent poll of 43 friends/colleagues left me with a data cluster. I simply asked, "what is your favorite day of the week and why?"
I have my favorite (even though I've been told not to play favorites) - but I do! I'll share my favorite at the end (no scrolling down).
So what prompted this question? Glad you asked-
As I near my birthday and a seemingly more reflective time of the year for me both personally and professionally, I have wondered why people seem to place a lot of value on one day of the week over another. It's rather simple really - and I could have predicted the results - perhaps not the reasons behind the results. What we find value in, where we find most pleasure - is reflected in our 'day' of choice.
Following up election day last week, I've been reflective over the value we put on numbers and percentages - which led into a conversation with my PLN about ranking and student data.
That conversation ironically had the same result. It's a matter of perspective and the 'value' we place on qualitative versus quantitative data. Stay with me here - let's explore my survey results.
First, take a data walk with me:~
While not the most popular day of the week (I blame Garfield and other equally 'tongue in cheek' comic strips that deface the value of Mondays) - Monday held a lot of positive qualities to the four voters.
This "worditout" display is MONDAY. Those who declared Monday their 'favorite day' revealed their 'dreamer status'. Quite akin to lovers of New Years and the mindset of starting over. For those who are into fitness #motivationmonday seems an easy find on FaceBook and Twitter. Starting over and exploring the possibilities of the week match the expectations of the start of the work week.
According to the most popular hashtags on Instagram - Monday is known for:#ManCrushMonday (or #MCM). Just so you are aware! Perhaps a distraction from Monday all together?
Tuesday had one vote: it seemed to have the least amount of work for that voter.
The two that voted for Wednesday enjoyed it as 'hump day' and for one person, the only day they had a chance to sit down as a family to eat.
Friday while seemingly the most popular with the focus on the weekend, declared a sense of completion/accomplishment and a natural transition to focus on self and family versus their work. 9 people selected this day. In 2003 based on a google search, Friday was the declared favorite day of the week by search sites. For those who work M-F jobs, this might make sense. For my husband who works Saturdays, there is no special value in Friday at all. 
Saturday- ahhh Saturday.. a resounding day of personal rest, with the work week being over (again M-F workers) and a love of coffee!
The winner with 13 votes was Sunday. Family time was of the most utmost importance - which speaks volumes about the business of our lives.
My survey had 43 respondents. If you want a bigger scope of data (isn't that the joy of data how we can manipulate it to serve your needs): look no further~
PINTEREST users provide us with this data! We were curious about what people Pin on different days of the week, so we took a closer look at what Pinners are up to when the week kicks off on Monday and then eases into Sunday.
Here’s a look at the most popular categories on each day of the week:
Humor is one of the fastest growing categories on Pinterest and holds the top spot on Friday.
http://blog.pinterest.com/post/85824761394/pin-trends-of-the-week
SO WHAT GENIENE????
The so what is this!
I'm a strong believer in the energy we give things - some less deserving than others. Like student test data for example. A below average reading score does not determine the fate of my 5th grade student. It's one data set in a field of variables that account for his current reading level. For a great debate over what came the first "the chicken or the egg" in terms of test scores or whole child - read my friend Ben's most recent blog: http://colorfulprincipal.blogspot.com/
If I placed more value in my son's reading score than in his ability or his other interests like:
- his love for math
- his interest in anything army
- his creative story telling that doesn't fit any format or structure appropriate for 5th grade
- his self talking/self entertaining love for dialogue that doesn't transcend when speaking to others
etc etc etc (I think you get the idea)
If I focused just on the data that was a snippet of him, his'below averageness' or not meeting expectations, I would be treating him just like a Monday, or worse a Wednesday ~we've made it halfway there's still hope.
My favorite day is a Tuesday. Monday seems to fly by no matter if I'm fully prepared for the week or not. I don't fear Mondays- I don't set myself up for the Monday blues - it's the start of my work week and a return to the structure that I thrive on. Tuesdays however seem settled and I get a lot done!It's my #tuitTuesday - a day to GET TO IT! I've stopped counting down the work week - or celebrating TGIF - because at my middle age, and as my neighbor recently who turned 80 says - every day is a gift.
So here's to equal opportunity - treating every day as the BEST day (right Jay Posick) and putting value in things that really matter!
****more fun statistics below***
How does my small data set compare with a much larger data set across the pond? The following article is from the UK.
Sunday is our happiest day – but what about the rest of the week?
A study by mathematicians has shown that Sunday is our happiest day, but what about the rest of the week?
Researchers at the University of Vermont analysed 2.4 million blogs and internet messages to find out which days of the week we love the most by counting the number of positive and negative words used.
The findings show Sunday is our favourite day with our worst day being Wednesday.
Research shows that Mondays are our the second happiest day as we are still upbeat from the weekend.
But what are the best and worst days for doing things?
Mondays are a good day to invest in the stock market but a bad day for staying alive.
Shares on a Monday tend to move in a similar direction as Friday making it easier to predict price changes.
A fifth more deaths happen on a Monday and it is the most common day to die of a heart attack.
Tuesdays are a good day to update blog pages.
The most hits on blog pages are recorded on Tuesdays.
Wednesdays are a good day to ask for a pay rise but a bad day for driving.
In a survey of 1,500 bosses, most revealed they were more receptive to requests a Wednesday. On Mondays they are too busy preparing for the week ahead and by Thursday and Friday they are thinking about the weekend.
Most traffic accidents happen on Wednesdays according to vehicle management firm Velo. It came to this conclusion after analysing 55,000 insurance claims.
Thursdays are good to give up smoking but bad for rain.
Your willpower is strong for the first few days which helps you get through the weekend.
On average 2.97mm of rain falls on a Thursday making it the wettest day of the week.
Fridays are good to sack someone but bad for earthquakes.
Judi James, a business consultant, says Mondays are a bad day to tell someone they are fired because they only take the negative message. But on a Friday the words may not be as wounding and he or she may even agree it is time to look for another job.
Half of the worst earthquakes in history struck on a Friday, including one that killed 30,000 in Gujarat, India, and 2003's in Bam, Iran, that left 40,000 dead.
Saturdays are a good day to have a baby but a bad day for drinking.
Babies born on Saturdays have a better than average chance of becoming Prime Minister. Of 20 British leaders elected since 1900, six were born on a Saturday including Harold Wilson, Stanley Baldwin and Anthony Eden.
The number of people admitted to hospital for alcohol poisoning increases by two-thirds on Saturdays, the British Medical Journal revealed.
Sundays are a good day to communicate but bad for cooking.
A third more people opened their personal emails on a Sunday compared with a busy weekday, according to new research.
One in five of us say cooking a roast dinner is as stressful for the family as going to the dentist. One in 10 prefer crisps in front of the television
And in case you were wondering the day that most babes are born are currently Sundays - probably because we are the most relaxed!
http://spacefem.com/pregnant/charts/duedate12.php
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