5 Steps to Find Your JOY

I’m on a quest to bring more JOY into my life. Not only do I deserve it, but I want to role model to my kids that we can live authentic lives, have purpose, make a difference and feel joy doing just that!

Last year at this time I realized that for all the amazing things in my life, I didn’t FEEL amazing. I didn’t feel JOY. I had a job that looked good on paper, but wasn’t challenging or fulfilling. I wanted more MEANING in what I was doing. In the past, I would have just looked for a new job. But I knew a new job wouldn’t fix what I was lacking. It had to come from the INSIDE, not the outside.

I want to make a difference. I want to use my business skills and my life experience to help people. I just didn’t know how. Instead of chasing the perfect new job, I decided to find meaning and happiness by changing what I was doing. When I didn't know what to do, I would think about what I had done in the past, and just NOT do that. Do anything but!

I like to write, so I started with that. At first a post. Then some articles. Then a video. I was scared to death. But I realized nothing at work had scared me in years. It's good to be scared doing something new. That means we're stretching and that we care. I met new people who brought new influences into my life. I paid attention to the feedback I got from all of you on my posts, and what messages resonated the most. Which has helped me see how sharing my stories can help people. I don't think how I feel at this stage is unusual. Many people are looking for more meaning in their lives, and I hope in sharing the steps I've taken, more people can do the same!

If you are looking for more joy in your life, here are some practical steps to start your journey:

5 Steps to finding JOY:

Do the WORK to Heal Old Wounds

Keep the resilience from past struggles, but let go of bad habits and deal with old emotions. YOU are responsible for your behaviour and your happiness. If you have wounds from the past, figure out what YOU need to do to heal them the best you can. Don't wait for others to fix your issues.

Make the EFFORT to CARE for yourself

Taking good care of ourselves takes effort and planning. Eat better. Go for walks. Find fun ways to exercise. Have a positive attitude. Rest. Read. Plan ME time. There are lots of resources to tell you HOW. Only you can decide to make it a priority. Hold yourself accountable with whatever tools work best for you.

Be AUTHENTIC and POSITIVE

Be the same person in the boardroom, at the water cooler and the gym. Instead of trying to blend in - be who you really are, even if it's different from everyone else. This is not license to be a jerk...  You can be authentic and still be kind to those who don’t get you or disagree. How you REACT to others is your choice. Leave the negative talk in the past. Being negative uses up so much energy that can be put to better use.

Put some GRATITUDE in your ATTITUDE

I choose to be happy and grateful every day. That’s easy on the good days. It takes work on the tough days. Like any habit – the more you do it, the more natural it becomes. I started working with a local charity in my community that helps less fortunate families. It brings me perspective on how lucky I am. Find a cause that you care about and help them out. You can't help but be more grateful when you work with others who have bigger problems than you.

USE your Unique Gifts

What makes you unique? How are you different? Use your special skills – this is what you are here for! Find the things that make your heart sing, and do more of those, even if it doesn't seem to make sense. I love to write articles and make videos to help people live happier, healthier lives. This has nothing to do with me being a CFO, but it makes me happy so I'm doing it! You don't have to change your job to be happy. It can be your hobby, a side-hustle or your full-time work. Using your special skills will lead you to your JOY!

It’s amazing how much change I have brought into my life by following these steps for the last year. I left a job I was not fulfilled in. I’ve built an amazing network of people here on LinkedIn and met new friends in my own community. I’ve written articles on leadership, projects, and resilience, which has led to doing videos encouraging people to focus on their health. I've even done videos of me boxing and rock-climbing just for fun to inspire people!

Here's the amazing thing: on this WORK platform, people seem the most interested in the personal content! By sharing my experiences and stories authentically, I'm making it easier for others to share their stories with me. We are connecting on a more meaningful level.We are all REAL people who don't just have jobs: - we have families to care for, our health to manage, and other things we like to do. Why can't we be our complete, authentic selves, even when we are at work? I think this is what people are starved for. Real AUTHENTIC living and connections.

I want to LIVE an authentic, successful, healthy life full of JOY and share it with you along the way. I already have felt more joy and excitement in the last year than in the last 10 combined. I have met amazing new people, and I’m just letting my JOY be my guide. I believe you can too!

Are you looking for a more healthy, authentic life filled with JOY? Then try some of these steps and start YOUR journey!

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I hope you will follow my journey here! Would love to hear from you in the comments.

For more daily inspiration and focus on self-care –> follow me on Instagram: @inspiringkat