It seems like everywhere you look nature is stretching its wings and shaking off the winter cobwebs!
I walked out to my back patio the other morning and low and behold I was treated to one of my favorite sights.
These beautiful purple flowers, which I learned from one of my team members (and a part-time farmer) is called Spiderwort—or by the much more poetic name of Lady’s Tears—were planted here many years ago by some birds when they pooped in that pot. And they bring me so much joy every year! Their cheerful purple blossoms light me up every time I see them.
They really got me thinking too. About how much joy there is to be found in small, ordinary packages. A pretty flower. A friendly dog. A smile from a baby while you are in line at the grocery store. Two strangers connecting over song, like in the wonderful photo at the top of this digest.
I like this Kurt Vonnegut quote:
“Enjoy the little things in life because one day you’ll look back and realize they were the big things.”
I hope that you have been finding some joy this early spring!
What is bringing you joy today, and how are you seeking it out? I’d love to hear, comment below and let me know.
Just like the most joy can be found in the little things, it is often the littlest things that can make us feel the most appreciated. So, when you are looking for ways to keep your team engaged and motivated, don’t overlook the little things!
Make it a habit to appreciate and recognize your employees, and watch your team’s productivity and motivation go way up. Here are a few ways to build appreciation into your workplace culture.
There is a lot of upheaval and chaos in the world today. Can you feel it?
Times like these can be really scary and unsettling, even if you have decades of experience in the workforce and have weathered uncertainty before.
Fear is paralyzing. Biologically, we often freeze in place when confronted by a perceived threat, and that doesn’t only mean when we round the corner and suddenly come face to face with a lion. The stock market plummeting, political upheaval, and everyday stresses are plenty to trigger a fight, flight, or freeze response.
However, you don’t have to stay stuck! Sometimes the very thing that I need to help me get out of the freeze/fear response is to take some action. Taking action, even if it is in a tiny way, helps us move out of the triggered fear response and helps us feel like we have more autonomy and control in our lives. No matter what is going on around us.
Take back control in your mind and life with some micro actions. Here are a few ideas to get you started.
Feeling challenged in your career? Lonely as the CEO who is supposed to “have all the answers?” I can help give you support right where you need it.
If you are on a quest to find joy in the everyday like I am, then this one’s for you.
Making a purchase from one of the links below returns a small portion of the sale to MentorLoft.
From the publisher:
Have you ever wondered why we stop to watch the orange glow that arrives before sunset, or why we flock to see cherry blossoms bloom in spring? Is there a reason that people—regardless of gender, age, culture, or ethnicity—are mesmerized by baby animals, and can’t help but smile when they see a burst of confetti or a cluster of colorful balloons?
We are often made to feel that the physical world has little or no impact on our inner joy. Increasingly, experts urge us to find balance and calm by looking inward—through mindfulness or meditation—and muting the outside world. But what if the natural vibrancy of our surroundings is actually our most renewable and easily accessible source of joy?
In Joyful, designer Ingrid Fetell Lee explores how the seemingly mundane spaces and objects we interact with every day have surprising and powerful effects on our mood. Drawing on insights from neuroscience and psychology, she explains why one setting makes us feel anxious or competitive, while another fosters acceptance and delight—and, most importantly, she reveals how we can harness the power of our surroundings to live fuller, healthier, and truly joyful lives.
What is bringing you joy? Add to the comments below and share your joy!
Remember: Leaders don’t bail. Leaders FINISH STRONG.
