Finding Joy in Our Work
A question I’ve been pondering lately is “Can we experience joy, even as we are doing hard things?”
Often the work we do is hard, sometimes even heartbreaking. The ability to solve complex social issues and to make change, in both public and private organizations, can take time and patience. Sometimes that leads to feeling overwhelmed, which can lead to focusing only on the hard parts, and having less space for joy.
But work is something that takes up a major portion of our lives.
I have spent all together too much time working with people who miss out on the joy of their work because their focus is always on “how can I get out of here?”
I contend that the ability to feel joy is always with us. Always present. And always accessible (Except, of course, in the case of conditions such as grief, mental illness or chronic illness that can prevent joy. That is a different thing entirely.)
I don’t pretend to know the key to you being able to access what brings you joy. Only you can explore that.
Here are some steps that may help you get closer to feeling joy.
Observe yourself. What are the little moments that bring you joy day-to-day? Is joy inspired by having a chat with someone who has positive energy? Or derived from music or art or nature? Bring more of what brings you joy into the workplace.
Be in touch with your “why”. Why are you doing the work you do? Is it to make a difference? Or is it a means to an ends (like putting food on the table, or reaching retirement)? Celebrate the small victories and any progress made. Feel empowered by what you’ve achieved so far.
Are you seeing yourself as a victim? Work can feel victimizing. Especially if we give power for our own happiness and joy over to someone or something else. Really understanding and celebrating your “why” can help you to take back the power over your own joy. It is not the responsibility of your boss, the leadership, or the organization to bring you joy. It’s your responsibility to create moments of joy for yourself within the confines of your work.
Harbingers of Joy. Who around you exemplifies moments of joy, even when times are tough? Keep an eye out for the one person who brings a smile to everyone’s face or feels like a ray of sunshine on a dreary day. Spend more time focusing on that person. Watch how they move in the world. Who do they associate with? Ask them how they keep their joy alive. Thank them.
Flip the script. If your work is really bringing you down and there is absolutely no joy for you, perhaps it is time to move on from this job. But do so with intention.
Remember, the grass is not always greener elsewhere. And if you find yourself going from job to job seeking joy and find none, you may actually be the problem — not the work.
It may be time to get support to identify how to flip the script for yourself. You may need to seek help from a therapist or coach so you can work toward shifting your mindset and becoming accountable for bringing joy into your own life.
Experiencing a few moments of joy within all of the hard work can lift you up, open your heart, and make the time you spend today feel more enriching, for you and for those around you.
If you’d like to reinvigorate joy into your workplace or team, get in touch so we can arrange a time to talk.