Joy is a Powerful Compass

Joy is a Powerful Compass

By the time I meet many of my coaching clients, they’ve tried everything.?

They’ve read books, taken assessments, and listened to every performance guru on the internet.?

They can quote their strengths, their mission statement, and their values and even have an “elevator pitch” that literally rocks.?

And they’re exhausted.?

They’ve drained all their energy with introspection and self-exploration, and they still haven’t been able to answer the one question that started them on this journey:?

Where can I be happy and fulfilled??

Don’t get me wrong.?I love videos, books, assessments, and tools.?I’ve used them all and taught them to my clients. And I’ve seen them create breakthrough moments that were truly incredible.?

But none of them held the real answer.??

They were just road signs on a long highway.?They pointed the way.?They got you excited.?But seeing them didn’t mean you’d arrived.?

No one ever found fulfillment because they created a purpose statement.?

There’s not a single person whose life is complete because Myers Briggs revealed they were an INFJ.??

The real answers are further up and farther in.?

So, here’s my radical advice:?

Don’t read another book or attend another conference.?At least, not for a while.

Instead, start watching where your energy goes – effortlessly, spontaneously – and then follow it.??

If you feel a pull toward being an artist, buy some paint.?Lay your colors on the canvas and see what happens.?Paint over it and try again.?Don’t critique your art.?Just notice how you feel when you’re making it.?

If you want to write a book, hammer out a paragraph every day.?Don’t edit.?Just splash around in the water of words and see what happens.?Promise yourself you’ll write 20 paragraphs before you reread a single one.?

If your dream is to start a business, volunteer part-time as an intern for someone who’s in that industry and see what it’s like.?If it pulls you further in, you’ll know what to do next.??

The things that excite you are not random.?They are clues to a future you dream of, but don’t have words yet to describe.?And they are waiting for you to follow them.?

?

This is the revelation I want to give you:?

Joy is a valid compass.?(read that again)?

Joy (deep, fulfilling, heart-felt joy) can be your greatest guide. And once you start following it, you’ll learn more in a month than any book can teach.??

And if the thing you’re following keeps pulling you in – if it feels like a hand in the small of your back gently nudging you to take the next step – you’re onto something so powerful it can bring your whole soul alive.?

Later, when you’re flowing, you can read the books, take the courses, or apprentice yourself to a mentor.?

But for now, just try this:?

Say yes to doing some small thing that lights your heart.?

Notice how it feels.?

If it pulls you further in, do a little more next time.?

Before you know it, you’ll be on your way.

Thanks Dan...love this ! Have a great weekend ??

Dan Ferrise

Chief Executive Officer / Strategic Advisor to privately held companies / Board of Director

2 年

Brilliant!

Ricky Steele

Steele Tech Ventures

2 年

As always, you bring creativity and heart into your every thought, Jim. As you know, over my 70 years, I have had more ups and downs than the outside elevator at the Peachtree Plaza. :-) Regardless of the highs and lows, I do my best to remember what the great Philosopher and Poet, James Taylor taught me in 1976: "The secret to life is enjoying the passage of time". Being "in the moment" with each person who stands in front of me rather than multi-tasking on 10 other people or subjects brings clarity, empathy and real conversations. As we come out of Covid-19, people want to spend time with folks who are Real, Open, and Honest. I have found doing that brings more JOY than anything else I have experienced. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yHWHPPHpAj8

Kritte Hoffritz

Global Change Strategist & Transformative Leader | High-Impact Mentor | Former UN Senior Advisor | Author of Acclaimed Leadership Programmes | Speaker

2 年

Perhaps joy is not only the compass, but the purpose of life itself....

Susan Shimamura

Working with leaders and their teams to unleash team performance and potential

2 年

This is so "spot on", Jim Huling. I've read many books and listened to many webinars about finding your "why". And, all provided some great insights and exercises to help find your direction. The challenge for me, as a people pleaser, is that it is sooooooooo easy for the "shoulds" to sneak in. I'll truly believe that something is my purpose because the adrenalin is flowing. I mistake the adrenalin rush for joy; only to realize later that it's something I feel or society feels I should be doing. So focusing on the JOY and paying attention to what really lights me up is the key to finding my direction. Pay attention to the joy and not the adrenalin!

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