Level UP with JOY! #AncientWisdomModernApplication #AncientWisdomModernRitual

By Bradley Caro Cook, Ed.D.

Ancient Wisdom

Ancient Jewish wisdom teaches that Joy is a key to having success in your personal and professional life (Pirke Avot, 6:6). For some of the Jewish months of the year, there is even a commandment to exude joy all month long. How can we take the ancient wisdom of Joy and apply it to our work lives so that the “daily grind” of your career becomes simply another day full of possibilities.

1. Ask for help: Too often we get overwhelmed, withdraw from our social circle or close friends at work and try to focus on the heavy workload in order to get it done. The thing is, if you're feeling overwhelmed by deadlines or tasks that feel out of your comfort range, you can ask for help. Maybe it's from a co-worker, or maybe it's from a higher-up in your workplace. But don't be afraid to ask for help when you need it. Getting the support or even just a confidence boost will help with your overall productivity.

2. Help someone else: If you're feeling the blues and you just can't shake it all off, consider getting out of your cubicle (or equivalent) and helping someone else. Maybe it's someone who's struggling to find joy. Or, maybe it's someone who it's someone who could use an extra hand with their own list of tasks. It can help you find the joy that you're looking for to give them support.

3. Find the positivity in what's around you: A key component to being joyful is having gratitude. A great way to do this is by creating a gratitude list.

Modern Ritual: A Gratitude List

Set a time everyday or once a week to write a gratitude list or review ones that you have written. This is something that you can reflect on throughout the day or when things become stressful.

Step By Step Instructions: (Adapted from Barb Schmidt's 6 Steps for Making a Gratitude List)

1. Get out a clean sheet of paper and a pencil or pen, and write at the top “My Gratitude List.” Number the page from 1 to 20.
2. Now, sit quietly with yourself for a few minutes, taking a few deep breaths, setting the intention, and then allowing in the feeling of gratitude. Let the feeling wash over you without attaching any meaning to it. Just feel gratitude.
3. Next, ask yourself, “What am I most grateful for at work?” Jot down the first thought that comes to mind on the first line. Chances are it will be general or specific.
4. If your answer is general, such as “I am grateful for having a job,” think of something specific about life that you are grateful for, such as “I am grateful for the ability to provide for my family,” and jot that down on the next line.
5. If your answer is specific, such as “I am grateful for my team,” write that down and then expand this to a general theme: colleagues. Then jot down why you are grateful for from your team . For example, “I am grateful for my co-works because we have great working relationships.”
6. Sit quietly with each feeling before moving on to the next line. Continue to list those things great and small that make your life the magnificent one it truly is.

Conclusion

       There are so many benefits to having joy in the workplace like a bigger social circle and doing meaningful work, but the top one to know is that it will help you see a sense of purpose in what you're doing. Since you have to work in order to live your life, you should enjoy what you do so that each day feels fulfilling and invigorating.

By applying this ancient wisdom and having a modern ritual in your #AncientWisdomModernApplicationto your professional life, you are going to Level UP!

Reference

https://barbschmidt.com/6-steps-for-making-a-gratitude-list/

Bradley Caro Cook, Ed.D., is the co-founder of Career Up Now and believes that individuals can flourish by applying ancient wisdom in their modern lives . He is a Birthright Israel Fellow, Upstart alumnus, Eli Talk Fellow, and a member of the Schusterman ROI Community. He is co-author of 48 Sensibilities for Professional Success, speaks nationally, helps for and non-profits exceed their goals and can be reached via email: [email protected]