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April 8, 2009
I’ve got that joy, joy, joy, joy down in my heart….
Ever hear a song that is just perfect for your time and place, right where you are? Sometimes it can be an old favorite, but I especially like the experience when it is a brand-new song to me. It’s like going on a journey I’ve never gone on before. I just heard a song the other day with the refrain of “you are my joy”. Not only were the lyrics compelling, but it had a musical sequence that was very enjoyable and dramatic, kind of a “rock-opera” sound. I’ll have to investigate that song again.
But it is that refrain that is sticking with me right now. “You are my joy”. What about joy? What does that mean to you? Is there joy in your life? To me, joy is something deeper than happiness. Happiness can be fleeting. Joy exists regardless of the circumstances of the moment. A local radio personality and politico always used this tagline to sign off the air: “Don’t let anyone steal your joy!” I think that’s great! It really speaks to how your joy should be extremely important to you, so much so that you safeguard it with vigor.
Let’s work through how and if joy should be part of your professional endeavors. I’ll say that it should, but that it’s not always the case. Not everyone is in the position to earn income by doing something that brings them joy (although I think in nearly ever job and situation one can find some aspect in job well done that is joyful). Also, a career that has turned into just a j-o-b can be devoid of joy, and threaten to rob you of your own joy (if you let it).
For those who have decided to chart their own course, who are marketing a product or service and certainly themselves, joy should and must (in this man’s opinion) be part of the equation. Not every minute can be a “mountain top experience” and there will be low moments, but most of what you do should bring you some sort of joy.
· Cold-calling leads? Every once in a while you’ll reach those who will want to read you the Riot Act. And you’ll certainly hear more No’s than Yes’s. But by keeping your Burning Desire fresh in your mind so it is igniting your actions, you’ll speak with a confidence and an enthusiasm that is contagious! · Conducting another training session or leading an opportunity call? Remember that these are the real “prime time” opportunities you have to really reach people where they live and change some lives. That should be right up your street and definitely bring you joy. · Did you blow it when it really counted? Shake it off, learn from it and move on with your joy intact. I was once leading a church service doing the Offertory Prayer. 2 days before Christmas, main pastor in the front row, about 5,000 people in attendance. I wanted to use the word “joyful”, but part of me wanted to say “joyous”. So what did I do? I said “The Lord loves a joyfous giver”. I could see my family in the back row, shrinking down in the pew. We ended up laughing about it later, and now I’ve adapted the non-word joyfous as my own! Steal my joy? No way.
If your business is consistent with what you’re all about, then developing your enterprise will be a reflection of your character, and each success will help move you closer to the realization of your vision. And there’s a lot of joy in that.
onward,
alan
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Alan Stout
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(281) 658-5615 alan@801Concepts.com al
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I’m a note-taker. Whether it be in client meetings, staff meetings, classes, or training calls lead by other leaders: I want a history of it. It’s a great way to capture the knowledge accumulated by others, then you can access it later as the need arises.
This archive can meet the same need. For me, it’s a journal of where I’ve been, and hence, where I’m going. You can use it to grab what you’ve missed, or simply to get more of a flavor of where I’m coming from.
Happy hunting. |
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