Do you have joy?

Our family recently lost our dog to cancer, and it was a very tough for my wife and me. At his death, our little guy had already been blind, deaf, and a diabetic for two years, yet he remained joyful and playful almost right up until the end. If you’re a dog lover, you know what it is to lose “man’s best friend.” Something is missing around our home, and it can seemingly only be replaced with another joyful, playful, loveable little dog.

The joy that is missing around the house reminded me of the all-too-often lack of joy that people have in the workplace. Many are simply putting in time instead of following their passion. Maybe it’s a sign of the times in a not-so-buoyant economy, but my guess is that we could all do a better job of adjusting our attitudes to make our work environment much better. This is where leadership comes in, but you don’t have to be in charge to make a difference at work.

Everyone has a chance to influence others in the workplace, and that is exactly what I believe each of us should do. You can do it in small ways initially. Coming to work a little early and staying a little late would be a good start, rather than rushing out the door in an all-too-frequent stampede. It would also help to inject some energy into the mix, to create more excitement and, occasionally, some playful fun at work. When people enjoy what they do, they put more time into it, and find more satisfaction as a result.

I love my home life, but work life is where many of us spend most of our time. If it isn’t fun, then it becomes a downer that impacts everyone around us. We can put on an act, but it won’t last, and people will see right through it. Just like our little guy injected joy around the house, we can take a hint and make work a more joyful place. It takes a little effort, some focus, and, occasionally, an attitude adjustment. But the joy you inject makes it well worth it

Here are a few business and life tips to think about:

Business Tips

• Your best potential customers are your already satisfied customers. Cater to them, service them, extend your brand to them. Do it all.
• To perpetuate your business, mentor people so you can replicate yourself. You won’t last forever, but your business can far outlast you.
• A key to leading is to be brave enough to take measured risks that stretch your operation without jeopardizing your business.
• If you want to develop something new, exciting, and lucrative, bring forth a disruptive technology that creates significant change.
• Produce an agenda for any meeting you call. Be organized and on point. Don’t let things stray unless that is part of your plan.

Life Tips

• How well you do something should not be dependent upon the thanks (or money) you might get, but on the pride you have in doing it well.
• When you think you’ve reached the end of your rope in life, love, or business, there is usually more rope around if you just look for it.
• Creativity is seeing something new in something old, an idea you see that others miss. Learn to see things with a fresh perspective.
• We certainly enjoy our own successes, but are we equally happy for others’ success? That’s the way we experience real joy.
• If you fall into the trap of comparing yourself to others, you will never be quite satisfied with who you really are.

Recently the Young Presidents & World Presidents Organization magazine, Real Leaders, published an editorial written by me. To read it, just click here: Bill’s Editorial

Tags: Advice, Business Development, Dreams, Drive, Family, happiness, Joy, Life Tips, Motivation, People, Personal Development, Values