Joy at Work!

Our work is an integral part of who we are, and if we are not able to feel joyous when we are at work we are probably falling short of living our true potential.

Not only is joy our very state of being, but it is also a touchstone of all that is going well in our lives.

So let’s explore some methods that can help put the zing back into work.

➢ Define your mission – The articulation of who we are, what we want in life, and how we want to lead our lives can spell the difference between dragging yourself to work every day and choosing a workplace that helps you crystallize your vision.

➢ First things first – Before you go to sleep at night, write down three priorities you would like to accomplish the next day. If you complete these three priorities the next day you will feel terrific. So try your best to do them as early as possible.

➢ Widen your circle – We spend 70% of our waking time at our workplace, so it’s only natural that we want to spend it with people we enjoy being with. However, you also need to create meaningful relationships with other people. So go ahead and widen your circle.

➢ Treat every problem as an opportunity –  Every challenge or problem carries within itself the opportunity for growth. What is needed is an open mind and self-awareness. Once you decide to view every challenge as an opportunity, life begins to unfold in amazing ways.

➢ Help someone – The fastest way to get out of misery is to help someone. To start with, it immediately diverts attention from your own misery. Second, it enriches you by adding value to your life. Third, the other’s relief and happiness are infectious.

➢ Create your own special ‘Joy Ritual’ – Whether it’s having that peppermint tea at four in the afternoon, or going out for a walk, create your own special moments to savor.

➢ Be in the moment – The past is no more, and the future is not yet here. All that we have is the present, and the present is loaded with opportunity.

Set a Goal & Score!

I read a story about someone missing a meeting with the President at White House to watch his son’s final basketball game.

It so happened that his son made the last two point shot when their team were one point down to win the final. He later said that the experience of watching his son make the last two point winning shot was worth far more than meeting the President at the White House.

After reading this story, I was inspired to watch my son’s game even though I could only watch for the first five minutes as I had to pick up my wife Farzana from work.  As I reached the soccer ground the game was about to start so I shouted to my son: I am here! He gave me a thumbs up. Then I said that I can only watch the game for five minutes as I have to pick up Mom and he gave me a thumbs up again. Then I could not resist and said to him if he is planning to score a goal then he better do so in the first five minutes. He gave me another thumbs up!

Lo and behold he scored in the first five minutes. It was a screamer – he found the net from about 25 yards slipping the ball between two players and the bottom right corner. Wow!

How did that happen? He set a goal to score in the first five minutes and scored a goal in the first five minutes!

The moral of this story is: Set a goal to achieve a goal!

Big Picture First!

There are two ways to approach something important. Either start with a lot of details and get everyone overwhelmed or agree on the big picture first and let details be worked out later.

I have found in many business deals, when we focus on agreeing on the big picture, the rest becomes easier as you narrow down on the key areas of contention.

When you start with details you can end up all over the map that by the time you come to the crux you are exhausted.

Start of the Day

When you do something very valuable first thing in the morning you set the tone for the day.

I had a great coaching call with a client first thing in the morning today that set the tone for the day. By the time the day was finished, I had several valuable client interactions, good family interactions, excellent voluntary work, and effective staff meeting.

It all began with the first call in the morning. Choose what you do first in the morning carefully as it sets the rest of the day in motion.

Good to Best!

Are you inspired to take one area of your life from being at a good level to being at your best level?

The moment you make this commitment, your whole outlook towards this area will shift to a much higher level. Also, you will start to behave in a similar manner in other areas of your life. It almost starts a new habit to life.

You will begin to feel great about yourself because you are now working at your brilliant best instead of just good enough.

Begin by making a decision to up your game from being good to being at your brilliant best in one area of your life and watch the miraculous shift to other areas of your life.

Give!

The more you give to family, the better the relationships at home. This unity invites love and harmony.

The more you give to colleagues, the better the camaraderie at work. This fellowship enhances your productivity and performance.

The more you give to customers, the better the loyalty you build, and ultimately, a better bottom line.

The more you give to your community, the better the environment you create for you and your family to live in.

The more time you give to others, the less time you need for getting things done, mainly because of the help and support others will reciprocate.

In addition, when you truly give, you unleash your creativity; inspire innovation, and tap into your endless potential.

If you cannot give money – give love, hope, laughter, skills, wisdom, ideas, attention, and a listening ear.

Also, when you are gentle and give to others, you are generally gentle and give to yourself.

The benefits of giving range from security and empowerment of better relationships to good health, longer life, and happiness.

Ask yourself:

– If you are blessed with insights, wisdom and health—what is your giving responsibility?

– If you are blessed with a loving family—what is your giving responsibility?

– If you are blessed with wealth and success—what is your giving responsibility?

In closing, remember – to those whom more is given, more is expected. If you stop giving, you stop receiving!

What do you want?

What do you want out of life?  This seems like a simple question. However, a lot of people either struggle to answer this question or waiver or keep changing their answers.

How will life provide you what you want if you are not crystal clear and consistent in your desire?

I once asked this question to a room full of top-level CEOs who probably had everything a normal human being wishes- money, fame, power, health, comfort. I had a pin drop for quite some time. When the discussion eventually brewed, the response was interesting to say the least.

I heard things like: I want purpose, meaning, passion, love, happiness, peace of mind.

How about you? What do you want out of life?