Written by: Michelle Schafer, Senior Level Executive Contributor
Executive Contributors at Brainz Magazine are handpicked and invited to contribute because of their knowledge and valuable insight within their area of expertise.
How can you find joy in the "every day"? And how can you experience joy in moments that are not joyful?
I love the outdoors. Nature has a way of calming and centring me. It's not hard for me to find moments of joy when I'm outside ‒ the changing colours of the setting sun, the snow hanging precariously off branches, fresh deer tracks, a thin layer of ice forming over a running brook. I will intentionally seek out these experiences as a way of appreciating what is around me and bringing joy into my life. And I especially seek out these experiences on days when I am stressed or overwhelmed. But what happens when you can't access what gives you joy ‒ or access it in the way it's most helpful for you? Two weeks ago, I was skating with my boys – a joyful activity – and fell forward. All my weight landed on my right knee. An X-ray and a CT scan later, I learned I suffered a femur fracture – and now had to be non-weight bearing for 8 weeks. As I recover from this injury (and this is not something that repairs overnight!), I'm not able to go for a forest walk, hang out by the river, or feel the sun on my face. Bringing joy into my life is still needed ‒ every day. But I'm learning to appreciate new sources of joy that can still calm and centre me.
Admiring the fresh flowers delivered to me to lift my spirits (the flowers in the picture above were from my aunt in California, who believes in the healing power of flowers!)
Appreciating the morning coffee and breakfast made and brought to my couch bed by my partner
Happiness felt when a friend checks in to see how I'm doing
The everyday sources of joy are there ‒ I've just needed to look in different places.
Jobseekers ‒ where is the joy in your job search? Perhaps it's in hearing back from a network contact, seeing a job you're excited about, or making some changes in your LinkedIn profile that tell your career story in a more impactful way. Leaders ‒ how can you experience joy in your daily leadership? Perhaps it's in allowing a team member to run with a project, encouraging the team to come up with ideas to solve a problem, or in hearing appreciation for the support you have provided. Joy is around us ‒ and can be experienced in the "everyday" moments. What would you add here?
Michelle Schafer, Senior Level Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine Michelle Schafer is an International Coaching Federation Certified Coach and Facilitator specializing in career transition and leadership. She is the owner and founder of Michelle Schafer Coaching, empowering people to achieve career fulfillment. Michelle has personally experienced two significant career transitions through restructuring and has reinvented herself for new careers both times. She deeply understands the physical, emotional and mental impact associated with a job search. Michelle is passionate about people and inspired by their progress, working with clients at all levels of an organization and across sectors including federal and municipal government, high tech, not-for-profit and financial services. Michelle offers coaching 1:1 in groups and recently was certified in the foundations of team coaching with the Global Team Coaching Institute.
