Kathryn Martin, Author at Kathryn R Martin

Joy is a Leadership Necessity. Jump In!

“Joy; the kind of happiness that doesn’t depend on what happens.”
— David Steindl-Rast

Today, my invitation is to join me in experiencing and BE-ing joy. No matter what is happening around you. Yes, “even if…” and “even when…”.

Joy isn’t like happiness which is based upon the happenings around you. It’s not dependent on whether things are going “well” or not. In fact, joy can be present at some of our most difficult moments. It is an emotion that comes with the anticipation and/or awareness of something that is wonderful. I learned this when I experienced joy at the hospital bedside of our son when he was in the serious throws of what would be a successful battle with brain cancer. In my client work, I teach how to gain greater clarity on joy (and thus ourselves as leaders) by identifying “peak moments” where we felt alive, at the top of our game, with a full heart in gratitude – and then through a guided process help to reveal the Evidence of Impact^TM in those very moments.

In fact, one of the amazing secrets about joy is that ultimately, it is not about US. We may seek it, but in reality, joy comes at the very moment we are living in our purpose – showing up fully and having the impact on others we are meant to have.

Truth.

Here are 6 more secrets (FACTS) about Joy; learned from my own journey and now championed by my clients:

JOY is not a selfish act – it is an indication that you are living in your purpose and having the impact you are meant to have on this earth.
Choosing JOY does not mean we move through life ignoring feelings of sadness, loss, inconsequence, separation, frustration, stress, injustice or are pretending something negative does not exist.
JOY is both a litmus test and a compass for creating the (meaningful) success we really want.
JOY is in the present moment.
Moments of JOY, and thus impact, are… limitless.
JOY is a choice, and a practice.

Therefore…

When thinking about your career and life, your next steps, your decisions, “Let joy be your compass and impact be your guide.” Ask yourself:

What have been my moments of joy (specifically, the 3-second moment of “spark”?)
Where in my body did I feel it – specifically?
Why did it feel so good? When I felt Joy, what were the ripples of impact to others? How do I know?
How often do I want to be feeling that?
What would it mean to others if I could feel that way?

I am often asked, “How many true moments of joy are possible to experience or to expect in a career and life?” Understanding that when you feel joy, others also benefit… my answer is not a surprise, and for the past five years it has been true for me “At LEAST once a day!”

To your success and JOY! Kathryn