Discovering Joy at WorkBilly ScheweeAdministrative Assistant/Secretary ConferenceApril 14, 2014ESC Region 11

Breakdown Disclaimer “I know, write?! Sharing is caring Operation Get the Wheels Turning

Joy (joi): noun A deep feeling or condition of happiness

or contentment

“If it falls on your lot to be a street sweeper, sweep streets like Michelangelo painted pictures, like Shakespeare wrote poetry, like Beethoven composed music; sweep streets so well that all the host of Heaven and Earth will have to pause and say, ‘Here lived a great sweeper, who swept his job well.’” – Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Activity Time: Let’s Get Real Take a moment and write down

something/some things that bring you joy.

Now take another moment and write down why you have the job you have (be honest).

Share with a shoulder partner.

Friendly Suggestion #1: Acknowledge Reality Using your body as a compass, literally

acknowledge how your body feels while working.

Compare this feeling to how your body feels when you’re doing something you absolutely love.

Are there any connections?

Friendly Suggestion #2: Be Proactive Brainstorm new ways to approach a

problem or process at work. Look to improve current job tasks. Work to add to your repertoire of skills. This will empower you with a sense of

control over your own work and increase the impact you feel you have.

Low-Pressure Reflection Time On a sticky note, finish this sentence:

“One thing I can improve upon at my job starting tomorrow is ____________.”

Place that sticky note in your notes pages.

(Mayo Clinic, 2014)

Friendly Suggestion #3: Be Positive and See What Happens

Your attitude is the only one you can control. Health benefits of positive thinking include: Increased life span Lower rates of depression Lower levels of distress Greater resistance to the common cold Better psychological and physical well-being Reduced risk of death from cardiovascular disease Better coping skills during hardships and times of

distress

Activity Time: Remember the Time When… Stand up, hand up High-five a new friend and introduce

yourself Discuss THAT time Positive outcome

“Enthusiasm spells the difference between mediocrity and accomplishment.” – Norman Vincent Peale

Friendly Suggestion #4: Recognize that Joy is Synonymous with Gratitude

Gratitude is the key to happiness. If you don’t appreciate what you have,

you won’t appreciate what you get. Gratitude is a habit that must be

cultivated. Say, “Thank you.” Nothing is all bad or all good. Poignant Thoughts from an Expert

Activity Time: Simon, Er Zig, Says Finish this sentence: “I love my job

because ____________.” Write as many answers as you can think

of. Write your answers in your notes pages. Share aloud.

Friendly Suggestion #5: Consider Fulfillment and Purpose Analyze your personal goals and overall

vision. This can help you get in touch with your

current state of fulfillment and where you’d like to grow.

Aligning these goals with your work life can create a powerful ripple effect that is cumulative over the long term.

Low-Pressure Reflection Time On a different colored sticky note, write

three personal goals (one per sticky note).

Place those sticky notes in your notes pages.

Friendly Suggestion #6: Celebrate Moments of Accomplishment Every mountain is climbed with small

steps of success. Every task completed contributes to the

end goal. Never underestimate the impact you’re

making.

Activity Time: 3-2-1 Write down three accomplishments of

which you are most proud (related to work).

Share two of them with a partner whom you have not yet met.

Choose one to share (loud and proud) with the whole group.

“When people go to work, they shouldn’t have to leave their hearts at home.” – Betty Bender

Friendly Suggestion #7: Analyze Meaning – What gives me meaning?

Where do I find purpose in what I’m doing?

Strengths – What are my strengths? What am I good at?

Barriers – What prevents me from experiencing joy?

Activity Time: Ready, Aim, Fire! On a blank piece of paper, write an

answer to the following question: “What prevents me from experiencing joy at work?”

Wad up the piece of paper. Fire! Come and pick up a “paper ball” that is

not your own. Think, group up, share your barrier buster.

The Truth? Our prejudice against work, or a narrow-

minded perspective of the kind of work that can be meaningful, often makes us miss the truth – which is that the potential for happiness is all around us.

Meaningfulness is in the eye of the beholder.

An Interesting Take on Gratitude

H. Jackson Brown, Jr.

Life’s Little Instruction Book Compliment three people everyday, and

say “Please” and “Thank you” a lot. Treat everyone you meet like you want

to be treated. Live so that when people think of

fairness, caring, and integrity, they think of you.

Smile a lot. It costs nothing and is beyond price.

H. Jackson Brown, Jr.

Life’s Little Instruction Book Don’t expect others to listen to your

advice and ignore your example. Give people the benefit of the doubt. Avoid negative people if you can help it. Be kinder than necessary. Become the most positive and

enthusiastic person you know. Don’t forget, a person’s greatest

emotional need is to feel appreciated.

H. Jackson Brown, Jr.

Life’s Little Instruction Book Commit yourself to constant self-

improvement. Don’t major in minor things. Praise in public; criticize in private. Seek out the good in people. Keep it simple. Avoid gossip. Practice empathy – try to see things from

other people’s points of view.

H. Jackson Brown, Jr.

Life’s Little Instruction Book Don’t say you don’t have enough time.

You have exactly the same number of hours per day that were given to Helen Keller, Pasteur, Michelangelo, Mother Teresa, Leonardo da Vinci, Thomas Jefferson, and Albert Einstein.

When you arrive at your job in the morning, let the first thing you say brighten everyone’s day.

H. Jackson Brown, Jr.

Life’s Little Instruction Book Don’t miss the magic of the moment by

focusing on what’s to come. Just to see how it feels, avoid criticizing

anyone or anything for the next 24 hours. Never underestimate the power of a kind

word or deed. Count your blessings. Remember that 80% of the success in any

job is based on your ability to deal with people.

H. Jackson Brown, Jr.

Life’s Little Instruction Book Be as friendly to the janitor as you are

to the superintendent. When there is a hill to climb, don’t think

that waiting will make it any smaller. Remember that what’s right isn’t always

popular, and what’s popular isn’t always right.

Perform your job better than anyone else can; that’s the best job security.

H. Jackson Brown, Jr.

Life’s Little Instruction Book Someone will always be looking at you

as a way to behave; don’t let them down.

Be happy with what you have while working for what you want.

Remember that a grateful heart is almost always a happy one.