Leading with joy: the magic of volunteerism

Welcome to Love Mondays More: the weekly Linkedin newsletter that delves deeper into the ideas and concepts driving my Love Mondays email newsletter series.

Why ‘Love Mondays’? Mondays are usually anything but lovable. Studies show it’s typically our week’s low point and Guinness World Records has even dubbed it the "worst day of the week”. So I aim to provide a 4-minute caffeine hit of content to fire up the other 10,077 minutes of your week and stave off the Monday malaise. Don’t just live Mondays, Love Mondays!

Happiness is not just a fleeting emotion or elusive destination; it’s a state of being that fuels creativity, resilience, and success. As leaders, when we prioritise our own happiness and foster it within our teams, we unleash a multitude of benefits that ripple through our organisations and extend far beyond. Research has consistently shown that happy folks are more focused, engaged, and energised, increasing productivity, innovation, and problem-solving capabilities. And did you know one of the best ways to fuel your happiness is through helping others?

This Monday, as Australia kicks off National Volunteer Week, let’s explore the secret to happiness: helping others.?

What the world needs now is happiness

Amidst the rising burnout and declining levels of joy, it becomes even more crucial to prioritise the good stuff that brings us true fulfillment: happiness. Research highlights that by embracing acts of service and volunteering, we not only become agents of positive change, but we also elevate our own happiness.

Helping others unleashes a beautiful cycle of positivity, compassion, and impact. Individuals who engage in volunteering experience a boost in self-esteem, psychological well-being, and overall happiness.?

"The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others." ~ Mahatma Gandhi

Incredible things happen when over 1 billion people around the world come together as volunteers (and a big thank you if you're one of them!). Yet, volunteers and nonprofits are up against some tough obstacles in their incredible efforts. Australia witnessed a notable 19% drop in volunteer participation from 2016 to 2021, while the US and UK have also experienced a decline over the past decade. Research shows that limited free time is a significant hurdle to volunteering, and surprisingly, 1 in 4 people don't volunteer simply because they haven't been asked. But amidst these challenges, there is always hope shining through.

Let's make volunteering more accessible and enticing by innovating and adapting. Micro-volunteering and virtual opportunities offer impactful ways to contribute, even with minimal time commitments. Leaders can foster a culture that supports helping others by sharing our experiences and integrating acts of kindness into our organisations, creating a happier and more compassionate world and workforce.

The world craves kindness. As leaders, we have a responsibility to ignite our own happiness and find small ways to help others every day. Here are 30 small ways to get started. Together, we have the power to make a meaningful difference and shape a better, happier world.

Let's make the world and ourselves better and happier by taking these four actions:

1. Be more intentional: Carve out dedicated time in your schedule to actively engage in acts of kindness and make helping others a priority.
2. Be more proactive: Seek out volunteering opportunities and organisations that align with your interests and values. Reach out, inquire, and get involved.???
3. Be more collaborative: Seek opportunities for collaborative volunteering. Join forces with friends, family, or colleagues to organise group volunteer activities.
4. Be more flexible: Explore different ways to help others or the planet that fit your schedule and lifestyle, such as micro-volunteering or virtual volunteering, allowing you to contribute in smaller time increments.

Thank you to all the incredible volunteers out there! Your dedication and commitment inspire us all to do better, to be better.

Thank you for reading this edition of Love Mondays More. Here are some ways to access more leadership learning and inspiration:

• Join my Epic Leadership Challenge and get actionable leadership lessons that will give you unstoppable momentum toward your goals this year. Delivered through our custom epic app, you’ll have my expert advice and guidance right in the palm of your hand! Read more here.?
• Join over 15,000+ people and subscribe to receive my weekly Love Mondays newsletter.