CeCe and I are planning a trip to South Africa and three other countries in July of this year. A safari is one of our bucket list trips. The amount of planning, moving pieces, and swirling change in every aspect of the trip can be overwhelming. What began with excitement and energy shifted by midweek as we faced the complexity, cost, and moving parts.
That shift — from “get to” to “have to” — is where joy leaks and energy dissipates. I share this because every organization is facing exponential change. We see it in the workplace every day. As you look to the future, plan your career, plan for your business, you quickly move from the joy of what you do to facing an emotional drain due to the exponential change impacting each of us.
Exhaustion from Clarity
The weight leaders and team members often feel during transformation isn’t confusion. It’s clarity. The more we learn about what must change, be rebuilt, or redesigned, and what new skills we need, as well as what old habits or legacy beliefs must be discarded, it becomes increasingly heavy and exhausting.
The Joy Killer
Joy disappears when we disconnect from purpose, regardless of the challenges we face. When we stare too long at the “how,” we get tired. When we reconnect to the “why,” we regain energy. CeCe and I revisited why we started — a true bucket list memory that we are blessed to even have the opportunity to explore more of God’s creation.
It’s the same in business. Why does this organization exist? Who are we elevating? How are we impacting others? What is our purpose beyond bigger or more profitability? What future are we building for our people? We are not just transforming our business processes; we are being stewards of what we have been blessed to help manage.
Purpose Equals Joy
Understanding our purpose restores joy and even protects it. Remember, the greatest calling in the world is what God has called us to do. When we align with that, we will be filled with joy and more blessings.
Joy doesn’t come from ease. It comes from meaningful work done with purpose.
Back To Our Trip
CeCe, we will need to get up around 5 a.m. for some of the safaris.
CeCe: I may not go that day!
The early morning is one of the best times to observe the animals.
CeCe: You can take pictures for me…
Remember to smile and protect your joy with purpose!
“If you were to anticipate how strong a company’s culture needs to be to transform and thrive in the future, Joey Havens paints a beautiful horizon in his book Leading with Significance.” Daniel Burrus
Grab your copy of Leading with Significance to find more magnetic insights to help you on your unique journey.
For more information on my presentations or to access my beBetter blog library go to joeyhavens.com.
