Want to Be Happier? Make Room for Joy in Your Life and Work

Difficult times call for an abundance of positivity

Uncertainty breeds many emotions, and happiness is typically not one of them. But visible, uninhibited joy is the very thing that can lift some of our collective unease during unsettled times. Even if your small display of exuberance does nothing more than shift your mindset a bit, it’s a start.

Joy can be transformative and contagious. And sharing some of your happiness can have powerful spillover effects while improving your physical and mental health.

Here are some suggestions for being a joyful force in your personal and professional life.

Start by enabling positive disruption

If your current situation is making you miserable, commit to choosing something different. Be honest with yourself and identify what needs to be fixed in your life. Then assume responsibility for turning things around, beginning with your mindset.

Once you shift from thinking in terms of what others have done to you and focus on your role in circumstances, you’ll be on the road to positive change.

There are no foolproof steps to follow to become a more joyful person, and joy is not something everyone can easily experience. There is research that shows the capacity for happiness is at least partially determined by genetics. But there are also evidence-backed ways to improve mental health by practicing positivity.

One of the first steps is ridding yourself of destructive elements in your life. Disrupt the parts of your life that aren’t working and start rebuilding with a focus on what will bring you happiness.

Then, connect with other people!

Once you’ve done some work on yourself, you may find an appetite for disruption extends to your social network. Focus your attention on people who support you and have a capacity for joy. Try to surround yourself with individuals who share the attributes you value.

If you know people who seem truly unhappy and stuck, reach out. Dare to meet challenges with a can-do spirit and hope. Your positive energy can help others adjust their mindsets.

We’ve all seen the goodwill spread by stories in the media that showcase humans being kind and generous to each other. There is a reason the crowds cheering the healthcare workers going to and from their shifts provided such relief from the sadness of the nightly news.

When you are in a joyful frame of mind, bringing some happiness into your workplace can improve everyone's mood. If you are in a leadership position, communicating your passion for what you do with enthusiasm can have a profound impact on the team.

Look outward

It’s a time-honored cliché but true: there is happiness to be found in helping others. An ideal way to repurpose personal energy from unworthy or destructive causes is to shift the focus away from yourself and do something positive for your community.

Countless organizations could use a helping hand right now. You may even find that your true path to happiness means doing something completely different with your life.

Pick a passion project

Putting energy into an entirely new and different outlet can bring about a positive change in perspective. Perhaps there is something you always wanted to do, or skills you’ve wanted to learn. Expanding your worldview can usher in joy from unexpected sources.

The key to being happy in a new endeavor is understanding you do not need to be an immediate expert.  Embrace being a beginner and eliminate the self-directed need to succeed. Focus on being calmly joyful — enjoy learning and practicing rather than the mastery of the skill. Learn to celebrate the process rather than the outcome.

Finally: learn how to relax and appreciate the present

If you are expanding your horizons with a new hobby or just trying to live the happiest version of your “normal” life, learn how to put everything in perspective. And just chill out. Sometimes the greatest gift we can give ourselves is forgiveness and patience.

Many psychologists point to self-acceptance and gratitude as being the hallmarks of well-adjusted and happy people. A positive outlook and appreciation for what we have can sustain us through difficult times, if we can teach ourselves how to achieve joy in the everyday moments.

Carrington Legal Search is celebrating 20 years in business: we were in the trenches with our clients during 9/11 and 2008. We partner with our clients to identify leaders and mission-critical talent to shore up and grow companies even during the most challenging times. We are here for you! To make our nationwide network work for you, get in touch at 512-627-7467 or email carrie@carringtonlegal.com.