A basic tenet in the development, coaching, and training business is that the most important decision we make every day is our attitude. It is a choice we get to make every moment of every hour of each day. Nobody can take that away from us; it lies at the core of believing we can always improve and choose to make a difference to others.
I heard a phrase this weekend stated in a different context, but it reinforced my core belief about my attitude which I found inspiring. “Joy is an inside job.”
Joy does not come from what I have or what I do. Instead, it wells up like a spring based on who I am on the inside. Joy remains constant regardless of life and business pressures. It does not seem to be influenced by one’s position in life, health, or bank account. Instead, it is powered by a mindset centered in servicing others above self. The more one serves, the more joy one experiences.
That thought makes me realize why I do not experience more joy — my “I” keeps getting in the way.
What will we choose to do this week to shift from “me” to “we?” Think about routines we might change. For example, when we diet, we must change eating habits and exercise routines. What life routines will we choose to change? One for me will be a more disciplined positive reading schedule.
I wish everyone could meet my friend, Bob, from Syracuse, New York. He is my model of living a joyful life. Always smiling when he is in the presence of others, he greets me by name, wants to know immediately what is happening with my family and work. He laughs heartily at what is funny and shows deep concern and empathy for my life’s challenges. Bob loves the same girl he proposed to on their first date almost 60 years ago, acts like a teenager when they’re together, and he feels lost when they’re apart. Yes, Bob is over 80 years old, yet he still works part time. Not because he has to, but because he chooses to work to be helpful to others.
Reply to this note to let me know what one routine you will change to create more joy in your life.
Onward!
John Rodgers