Powering your joy doesn’t have to be difficult or expensive. As we often say, joy is individual, so what powers my joy may not power your joy, but there are lots of simple ways that could help you create a little joy in your day. It could be something like lighting a candle, journaling, sending a note to a friend, or putting on a cute pair of earrings.
As a lifelong bookworm, reading has always been something that can help me slow down and de-stress. Just being in a room with books can boost my happiness a little bit – I’ve been known to wander around the nearest bookstore if I’m having a bad day! Here are some of the ways that reading might power your joy, too.
Learning something new can help you understand more about the world and the other people living in it. Even when you disagree with someone, it makes it harder to stay angry when you have some understanding of where they’re coming from. Reading can help you build that knowledge base.
And if you’re anything like me (CliftonStrengths Learner, DiSC high C, Enneagram 5), the act of gaining knowledge itself can give you energy and a put you in a better mood.
Whether it’s fiction or non-fiction, immersing yourself in someone else’s story for a while is a great way to take your mind off the things that are stressing you out in your own life. Taking that break and turning off that part of your brain for a while can help you avoid burnout and come back to those problems refreshed and ready to tackle them.
We hear it everywhere these days – rest and self care are crucial. Getting sucked into a good book can help you slow down and take a moment for yourself so you have the energy for the hectic day-to-day tasks.
Being an effective leader helps you create a JoyPowered® workspace. There are a plethora of books out there that share the advice and information you might need to improve your leadership skills, making work more joyful for you and those around you.
As I mentioned above, understanding where others are coming from can help you avoid feeling anger toward them. The truth is we all have different backgrounds, life experiences, and opportunities. Reading books by and about people who are different from you helps broaden your horizons and may even change your mind about things. As General George S. Patton once said, “If everyone is thinking alike, then somebody isn’t thinking.” So make sure you’re listening to (or reading about) those who think differently than you!
If you’re looking for a great book to add to your list, check out our list below – of course, we have to recommend our own books, but we’ve also included lots of other books we like. And we want to hear your recommendations, too! Share your favorites in the comments.