Joy

I both love and hate this time of year. Warm weather (southern hemisphere), the anticipation of summer holidays, Christmas decorations and the warmth of family juxtaposed with the realisation that I am going to die.

We all know that time goes faster the older we get. It feels like yesterday and not January 2024 that I wrote my article titled?Survival Sucks. At the time, it sparked a fair bit of commentary and many of you messaged me directly with lots of strong perspectives. Since then, I am one year closer to not being around anymore. One year closer to not being able to achieve what I have set out to achieve. Did I make a difference this year? Am I living my best life?

2024 was in my case punctuated by conversations with so many senior executives who are simply frustrated and out of love with what they do every day. For most of these people, they have less than 20 years of active career ahead of them. Greater than 5% of their remaining working life just evaporated, and there was almost no experience of joy.

Ok, so a valid question here is whether joy is the benchmark according to which we should be evaluating our careers. Here is my answer to that question. You’re damn right it is. Nothing should matter more.

Those who are close to me will know that I am lucky to be alive. I had two major strokes in 2017 when I was 43 years old. There is a crazy story behind this which involves singing on a stage in Fiji, headbanging, air evacuation, and months of hospital and recovery, but coming out the other side, I was so grateful to see my family, walk in nature or just eat a lovely meal. I promised myself I would savour life. And then I completely forgot all about that and went back to doing a job because it paid well and I was good at it. Zero joy.?

The year after the strokes, I spent on average 90 mins per day across an entire year in the air. That is over 540 flying hours which doesn’t include airports and transit. Only Qantas loved me. I certainly didn’t love myself. Zero joy.

Then I started my own firm. I had to deal with the stresses of entrepreneurship and trying to create something from scratch, but I got to focus on nurturing and growing something new. I have loved every second of it. I’m not saying the entrepreneurship is the answer, but I highly recommend everyone trying joy.?

The reality that I hear from my clients is that their markers for success have nothing to do with joy. A few may on occasion make a tenuous link between performance outcomes to personal satisfaction through to joy, but being proud of your achievements and loving what you do are not the same thing.?

So what is the answer here? I am definitely not advocating for everyone to leave their jobs and start a business. Nor am I suggesting we all go bush or seek out a sea change. However, what in your work truly brings you joy?

Cost consciousness, efficiency, and defensive consolidation are all critically important for business but not one of my clients expressed a love for this. Talk about their past growth experiences however and the corners of the mouth would shape upwards and the eyes would sparkle.

It feels like the economy is starting to turn and the green shoots of growth are starting to re-emerge. Not only am I grateful given our business is focused on helping companies grow, but I am also pleased for all of you. Hopefully, there is more joy to be found in creating new things.?

My end of year wish for all of you is that you find a way in 2025 to question whether what you do for the majority of your waking hours is bringing you joy. Because we all die. I was crudely reminded of that 7 years ago, and it hasn’t left me. The end of each year reminds me that time is ticking, and if we don’t ensure we are loving what we do, then nobody else will.