The Power of Joy
How to Leverage Joy to Win in Business and Life
I'm Manuel Saez, I write to help founders master emotional intelligence to make decisions with clarity and confidence 🌻 EQ coach, 2X-founder & award-winning designer ➜ I love fixing old motorcycles 🛵 🏍
Reading time: 9 min.
Contents:
Joy Mindset
Distinguishing Joy, Happiness, and Enlightenment
Embracing Joy in Everyday Moments
Emotional Intelligence: A Gateway to Joy
My Six Strategies for Finding Joy
From Gratitude to Joy
How Joy Fuels Creativity
For most of my life, I thought working hard was the solution to my problems, and when things got tough, I just needed to do more reps to get through.
Well, I was wrong.
I was so invested in the hustle mentality that I even got a tattoo saying
"Outwork Them,"
a reference to idolizing hard work to beat others.
In hindsight, the statement is limited and driven by fear.
➜ With time, I found that joy was the best way to face my challenges.
Unlike the hustle mentality, fueled by fear, competition, and a sense of lacking, joy comes from within and brings peace and fulfillment.
For entrepreneurs and founders, the relentless pursuit of success can often overshadow joy's profound power.
Getting caught in the cycle of working harder, pushing through challenges, and constantly hustling to reach the next milestone is easy.
But how can you find joy when you are stuck in a difficult situation, you may ask?
To find joy, I practice acceptance and gratitude. I have written more about these in two different essays.
Acceptance allows us to acknowledge our current state without judgment, while gratitude shifts our focus to the positive aspects of our lives. These steps are the key to experiencing joy.
In this post, I will explore the power of joy. By the end, you'll understand how and why embracing joy can help you become a more successful entrepreneur and a more fulfilled and content human being.
Joy Mindset
Joy is a feeling of peace and contentment.
We experience a wide range of emotions in our lives, from misery, sadness, and fear on the lower end of the emotional scale to happiness and joy on the higher end.
My goal is to remain at the higher end of the emotional scale for as long as possible, so I am always seeking a state of joy. I call this a “joy mindset.”
I know that being in a state of joy always is not realistic. Things happen to us that put us down; that’s life.
But if we are aware of our emotional state, we can make an effort to aim higher for that state of joy.
When you have a joy mindset, you end up spending more time on the higher end of the emotional scale.
The lows are shorter and less frequent and the highs last longer and come more often.
➜ If you think about it, a joy mindset is what creates a great life.
Distinguishing Between Joy, Happiness, and Enlightenment
Joy and happiness are often interchangeable, but I see them as fundamentally different experiences. Happiness is typically linked to external factors—it's an emotional response to people, events, or achievements.
For instance, you might feel happy when you receive a compliment, achieve a goal, or spend time with loved ones. This kind of happiness is fleeting because it depends on circumstances beyond our control.
In contrast, joy is an inner state of being. It doesn't rely on external validation or specific outcomes. Joy comes from a deep connection with oneself and the universe, a sense of contentment that persists regardless of external circumstances.
The key to maintaining a state of joy is cultivating a mindset focused on internal peace through mindfulness, acceptance, and gratitude. This approach allows joy to be a stable and enduring presence.
On the other hand, enlightenment is often described as a higher state of consciousness that brings an intense and profound sense of bliss. It is associated with spiritual awakening and transcending the ego.
Enlightenment is a peak experience, a fleeting state that even the most enlightened individuals may only occasionally attain. It represents moments of ultimate clarity and connection with the universe, where the sense of self dissolves, and one experiences pure, boundless bliss.
While enlightenment may be an ultimate goal for some, I cannot say I have experienced it. What I do know for sure is that I have experienced joy, which has positively changed my life.
Embracing Joy in Everyday Moments
Every day, I consciously practice awareness, acceptance, and gratitude to find and maintain a state of joy for as long as possible.
A joyful life involves intentionally seeking and creating moments that lead to moments of joy. This practice has significantly improved my life, enhancing my success, creativity, and overall well-being.
Living joyfully means appreciating the small moments in daily life.
Joy isn't limited to grand events or significant achievements; it's found in simple, everyday experiences we often overlook.
Imagine starting your day with a cup of coffee, savoring its warmth, or enjoying the sounds of birds, genuinely appreciating their beauty and magnificence as part of this fantastic world.
When you can see and appreciate the ordinary, you become extraordinary.
Practicing joy leads to a better life in several ways. It enhances creativity by making my mind more open and relaxed, allowing ideas to flow freely. This mindset has made my work as a designer more fulfilling.
Joy also brings me closer to my purpose and connects me with everything around me.
In moments of joy, I feel aligned with the universe, giving me an easy feeling about why I am in this world.
Emotional Intelligence: A Gateway to Joy
Emotional intelligence (EI) is recognizing, understanding, managing, and utilizing our emotions effectively.
It involves awareness of our feelings, understanding their impact, and using this awareness to guide our thoughts and behaviors.
High EI allows people to navigate life's challenges with greater ease and maintain a state of joy.
Emotionally intelligent people are good at identifying and responding to feelings appropriately. This self-awareness helps them avoid being overwhelmed by negative emotions and stay in a joyful mindset for longer.
For example, when faced with stress, someone with high EI might recognize their tension, practice deep breathing, and focus on positive aspects of their situation.
EI also involves empathy and social skills, which enhance our relationships with others. Positive social interactions are a significant source of joy.
Practicing empathy and understanding builds more robust connections, leading to a more joyful and supportive social environment.
Developing my emotional intelligence has made my relationships richer and more rewarding. When I can understand and empathize with others, I create deeper connections that bring joy. By handling my emotions better, I can stay calm and focused, even when things get tough.
Ultimately, emotional intelligence is a powerful tool for building a joyful life.
It helps us manage our emotions, connect with others on a deeper level, and create a positive atmosphere.
This combination of self-awareness, empathy, and social skills makes life more fulfilling and helps us find joy in everyday moments.
For years, I've been coaching founders to develop their emotional intelligence, helping them make better decisions and lead more fulfilling lives. If you want to explore how EI can transform your journey, check out my coaching page.
My Six Strategies for Finding Joy
Cultivating joy requires intentional effort and the integration of specific practices into my daily life. Here's how I find and maintain joy:
Practice mindfulness: I meditate or do simple mindful activities like walking or breathing. By focusing on the present moment without judgment, I can appreciate the little things around me and reduce stress.
Practice Acceptance: I consciously practice acceptance by acknowledging my current circumstances without judgment. Accepting what is, rather than resisting or wishing things were different, brings me peace and allows me to focus on what I can control.
Keep a Gratitude Journal: I regularly write down things I'm grateful for. This habit shifts my focus from what's lacking to what's abundant in my life. Over time, I've noticed that this practice has trained my mind to be on the lookout for things to be grateful for, transforming my day into a more joyful mindset.
Engage in Creative Activities: Whether it's designing, writing, or fixing old bikes, creative pursuits bring me immense joy. These activities allow me to express myself and enter a state of flow where time seems to disappear. Being immersed in creativity feels so good; it boosts my mood and provides a sense of accomplishment and satisfaction.
Connect with nature: I spend time outdoors, strolling in the park or even walking in the streets of Brooklyn in the early morning. Nature has a calming and energizing effect on me. Seeing and appreciating nature's sounds, shapes, and harmony significantly boosts my mood and overall well-being.
Build Positive Relationships: I invest time nurturing my relationships and surrounding myself with positive, supportive people who uplift and inspire me. I try to be that person for others. Sharing experiences and laughter with loved ones strengthens these bonds and enhances my levels of joy.
I create an environment where joy can thrive by incorporating these strategies daily. These practices help build a resilient mindset that sustains joy despite challenging times.
From Gratitude to Joy
I've found that gratitude and joy are closely intertwined, and gratitude is perhaps the most critical lever I can pull to experience joy.
Gratitude involves recognizing and appreciating the good things in our lives, which naturally enhances our sense of joy. In my previous post on "The Transformative Power of Gratitude," I discussed how practicing gratitude can lead to a more positive outlook and greater life satisfaction.
When I regularly practice gratitude, I train my mind to focus on the positives rather than dwelling on the negatives. This shift in perspective leads to increased feelings of joy.
For instance, taking a few moments each day to reflect on what I'm thankful for helps me appreciate life's simple pleasures and maintain a joyful attitude.
Gratitude also strengthens my relationships. Expressing gratitude to others encourages connection and mutual appreciation, which are essential components of joy.
How Joy Fuels Creativity
Joy and creativity are deeply connected, each empowering the other.
When I create, I feel joy; when I feel joy, I produce my best work.
This creates a positive feedback loop where the joy of creating fuels my creativity, and the act of creating brings me even more joy.
This synergy enhances both my creative output and my overall sense of fulfillment. It's a cycle that keeps me inspired and productive.
In my experience as a designer, I've found that being in a joyful state makes my mind more open, relaxed, and receptive to new ideas. This openness is crucial for creative thinking and problem-solving.
When you engage in something that brings you joy, you enter a flow state more quickly and become fully immersed and engaged in your tasks.
This flow state is where some of the best creative work happens.
For me, this happens with design. But for others, it might be writing, music, sports, or any activity that sparks joy and creativity. Finding that activity can be your gateway to a joyful state of mind.
This synergy can transform your approach to any creative endeavor, making it more enjoyable and rewarding.
I've learned that working hard isn't the only path to success and fulfillment. Embracing joy has transformed my life, and I can do the same for you.
Key Takeaways:
Inner Joy: Joy is an inner state that doesn't rely on external factors. Unlike happiness, which often hinges on achievements or validation, joy comes from within and stays with you, regardless of life's ups and downs. I've cultivated lasting joy by focusing on mindfulness, acceptance, and gratitude.
Emotional Intelligence and Relationships: Developing emotional intelligence has been crucial for managing emotions and building stronger connections. Understanding and empathizing with people enriches relationships and adds to my overall joy. Positive interactions and deep connections are significant sources of joy.
Creativity and Nature: Engaging in creative activities and spending time in nature boosts my joy and productivity. Whether designing, writing, or hiking, these activities help me feel alive and productive. Creativity fuels my joy, and joy enhances my creativity. Nature's calming effect also significantly boosts my mood and well-being.
If you're interested in exploring how to cultivate joy and enhance your emotional intelligence further, I invite you to schedule a free introductory coaching call with me. This call is an opportunity to dive deep into your journey and discover practical steps to achieve a joyful and fulfilling life.
Sending you good vibes 🌻
Manuel Saez