Your Career: Finding Joy

Finding joy is essential to our well-being both from a career perspective and in our personal lives as well. Our career and personal lives are interlinked and although we may try to keep them separate there are times when they naturally collide. If you can find joy in your career; you can find it in your personal life and vice versa!

We all have those people in our life who have a perpetual black cloud hovering above them. They bemoan their circumstances, blame others for their missteps, surround themselves with negativity and generally lack respect for others. You can see it in their social media posts and their everyday life- they may not be able to see it. They love to spread misery –because misery loves company! These are the type of people that we can only take in small doses.

I can almost guarantee that you will not be successful in your career and in life until you reconcile with your negativity and find joy. We spend far too much time at work not too be happy in our job. If you’re not happy with your job why do you stay? Wouldn’t the wiser choice be to start planning your exit strategy? Similarly, if you’re not happy with your life why not change it? Negativity, disrespect and hate drains our energy and is all consuming. Have you wondered why you are constantly exhausted?

Here are ten ideas for finding joy in your career and in your life:

1.     Flip your thoughts – instead of focusing on your challenges think about people and activities that make you happy. 

2.     Do something different- step outside your comfort zone and challenge yourself. 

3.     Volunteer to do something without any expectation of payback.

4.      Take a day off from negativity. For just one day refrain from posting that political rant! 

5.     Connect with people- yes, it’s possible to connect with people and practice social distancing at the same time!

6.     Find humor in everyday life – it’s impossible to laugh and be negative at the same time!

7.     Get more exercise. Exercise changes your disposition and you’ll sleep better at night.

8.     Challenge your mind to learn something new.

9.     Be creative, change up your routines and get out of that rut.

10.  Get a life & share your joy- fill your days with positive thoughts and activities.

Sometimes finding joy is elusive, sometimes it’s work; but it’s always worth it! The people in my life bring me the greatest joy. How do you find joy in your life?