The Little Things to Believe In
We all have mixed emotions from time to time about our careers especially as we seek advancement within or outside a company. The next promotion or a new job are certainly reasons to re-think about the career and expect new challenges and growth. It is reasonable to think to think that the next promotion or a new job should be a reason to be happy. However, it may not be since there is so much more, and so many little things or pleasures, that should be cause of joy and happiness each day in our lives.
Recently we attended a live show with our children. It was a performance by their favorite cartoon show and we bought the tickets for the show about six months ago. Since then, the girls had been waiting patiently, and looking forward to this day. Little by little, they (and us too) got more excited and thrilled and they were doing things like creating a countdown of the days to the show, gathering their gear and toys from characters from the show, binge watching episodes on live TV and Netflix, and planning out the day when it finally came. And it happened, and it was a culmination of the yearning, the anticipation, and the excitement all coming together. The show was a blast and their happy moments continue with the memories, the stories of what they liked best, and the things we do with them to keep the joy alive in their hearts and minds. It's great. As I lived through this, I thought to myself, why can't I do this with what I am experiencing at work? Come to think of it, I know that I am and I just have to pinpoint where I am focusing my energy upon and what things I am doing to enjoy the journey.
The small, simple things, like coming to the office early to do what I do best in my current position really makes a difference. The extra stretch in the assignments I have underway and seeking new ones to try out and learn new things. The meetings, which I handle like bookends on a shelf. That is, each meeting has a clear purpose (i.e., why are we here) to start conversation, and bookend number two: a close up/wrap up with a brief/succinct summary for everyone and clear take aways...all delivered with a very spirited style. Or just simply engaging with people daily and really being focused on conversations by listening more than speaking, making the conversation about the other person, telling stories, using humor or intertwining it as appropriate, and being humble. All these things help me relate to people as human beings. And all these things help me find joy and happiness in the small pleasures of what I already do each day.
When I think about home, my joy comes from waking up each morning to get the children ready...and everyone else in the house ready for that matter. The dogs (and we have two clever, tail-wagging, cheerful hounds) and their happy spirit and excitement in the early morning gets me charged up for the day. The fish in the tank (yes we also have three fish = one for each child), and their feeding routine which is nothing but extraordinary as the fish eat their portion in a matter of seconds, and breakfast time. All in the midst of the rush of the daily routine but so good in terms of bringing joy to my day. We all get caught up in life and often fixated on our routine - So change your perspective on it. Have something to look forward to each day so that these feelings from things that are negative (or we simply don't look forward to) are outweighed by positive feelings and things.
And breakfast is king and the early bird gets the worm - Never fails.
You need to start feeling good about your day early so that you are set on a course of mostly joyful, happy moments throughout your day. I like to call my parents and family members as I commute to work, or meet with someone I haven't seen in a while for lunch for a good conversation. I also say hello or smile to strangers, or do something kind for someone for no particular reason. The little things are endless, you just have to find them in your day! And start to change your mindset to avoid mistakenly associating joy or happiness with the next promotion at work or a new job. Look forward to something, even if it's the little things that make a big difference.