I know what things bring me joy and what I think about the topic, but I was curious what other people think. So I did a survey which I shared in a few places on social media. And a small number of people replied anonymously to let me know their thoughts. As I think most who answered were people I know, they will mainly be freelancers, coaches, consultants or other small business owners.
I asked them what gave them joy in their life.
There were a lot of answers which included nature and the outdoors in them – seeing and hearing birds, going for walks or bike rides, feeling sunshine, a robin that stood next to them while they were gardening.
And some lovely cosy descriptions of nice coffee, perfect cups of tea, playing with or watching cats, dogs and children.
And I asked what gave them joy in their work.
These varied, as you’d expect because people do different types of work. But there was joy in simple satisfactions like financial reconciliations actually reconciling, having a tidy desk, and spotting mistakes – as well as the more specific content of the work, such as working with women, talking to people about nutrition, creating things.
One person mentioned the flexibility to go for a walk and do some gardening during the working day, something I definitely agree with – as I have set up my working life as a freelancer so I can have this freedom too.
I asked them whether they thought joy was loud or quiet (something I wrote about here on this blog a while ago.)
And I was interested to read that they agreed with my thoughts – that it can be both. A couple of people also suggested that joy is something inside us not outside, that it’s something we find for ourselves and notice in ourselves.
And I asked them how it had made them feel to write some thoughts about joy.
Most people were happy to have the opportunity to share some thoughts on joy – and I guess that those who didn’t find the topic resonated with them at all just scrolled past my posts and didn’t click through to answer the questions. People felt calm, and appreciative and happy thinking about what gave them joy. Although not all of them felt there was joy in their work.
So what did I learn?
I learned that joy is a subject people are interested in and are pleased to be able to think about. That for those who answered my questions, it is the small things in everyday life that bring them joy, and that some of them are lucky enough to also find those joys in their work. That joy is different for everyone, and even for one person joy can vary from day to day and from activity to activity.
It makes me happy that others also enjoy the joy in the everyday, although it makes me sad that some people either don’t see joy they have in their own lives or have things to worry about that overshadow any notion of there being joy if they stop to look for it.
And where does that take me next?
This is a topic I am going to be writing about more and more in the coming months, as I refocus my business on helping people to see the joy and creativity in their lives – and when I have reached a suitable point in my coaching course, I will be able to add a coaching element to my services.
If you have anything you’d like to add to my thoughts please do get in touch here – or connect with my posts on social media as they emerge.
If you want to read my series of my blog posts about joy – start here or here.
And if you’d like to find out the services I offer to multi-passionate business owners to help them connect with or rediscover the joy and creativity in their business, click here for more details.
Or to keep in touch on social media or email, click here.
