Are you operating from one of these common myths?
Joy is something you only get to feel after: everything is done, everyone else is OK, and all pressing problems are solved.
Here’s another one: You have to earn joy through hard work.
When I say “make time for joy,” my clients respond in a number of ways.
Do you recognize any of these refrains?
- “I’ve been so busy I’ve barely had time to breathe.”
- “There’s so much going on in my family right now, I’m worn out.”
- “It just seems like there’s no time to stop and have fun—it’ll just make me feel further behind.”
- “I’m stressed out, I’m not sleeping well—how am I supposed to find the energy to feel joy?
- “I can’t even manage to feel fine—how am I going to feel joy?”
- “Well, I can maybe do that when… (Fill in the blank. “Bills are paid,” “health is better,” “the holidays are over,” etc.)
I’ve learned through the school of hard knocks that what seems logical according to all you’ve been taught, must be stood on its head. Turn it upside-down, reverse it, and you’ve got the real truth.
When you make time for joy:
-
You’re more relaxed no matter how many things you have to do.
-
It’s much easier to keep a healthy perspective on other people’s issues—to remember that you can’t help anyone else if you don’t help yourself first.
-
Feeling joy brings the awareness that you are in exactly the right place at the right time.
-
When you are feeling joy, many more things feel fun.
-
You realize the truth: joy is not connected to “doing” at all.
-
You understand that joy is a feeling you can enter into anytime you choose.
-
You find you can feel joy and face a long list of challenges.
Joy is your #1 priority. Everything (and everyone) else will benefit when you make time for joy. Don Americo said it this way: “If you’re doing well, I’m doing well. If you’re doing badly, I’m still doing well.”
Coach’s Challenge: Each day this week, spend at least 5 minutes feeling joy. That’s a bare minimum, hardly enough, but if it’s 5 minutes more than you’ve been feeling, it’s a victory! Go ahead, leave me a comment!
