Pops of Joy: The Small Things That Lift Us When Leadership Gets Heavy

I started recording a new podcast called “Daring Breakthroughs: Stories of those who dared, strategies for those who will.” Our first focus area for the podcast is unlocking mental strength. In the first three episodes, we cover techniques to battle impostor syndrome, rewiring your brain for goal achievement, and how to face your fears head-on. I’m super excited to share more, but that’s not actually what I want to talk to you about today.

During the recording of the podcast, I was reminded of a technique I used during a particularly tough time in my career as a C-Suite executive. At that time, I was leading the organization through a series of challenging people-related and business-related issues. It felt like we were being bombarded with one major issue after another. It was a tough time for the entire organization.

I knew that I couldn’t be the leader my team and the organization needed me to be if I carried around the weight of all our problems. Instead, I needed to be a beacon of hope that inspired confidence that we, collectively, could figure it out and make it through. That’s when “pops of joy” were born.

One afternoon, I took myself to Hobby Lobby (one of my happy places) to wander the aisles aimlessly and enjoy all the possibilities presented by the rows and rows of home decor, crafting goodies, and glitter. Glitter happens to be my favorite color. I just needed the mental rest that came from something silly and completely unrelated to my corporate work. As I wandered the aisles, I saw a bookmark that was a large paper clip with a short tassel. I remember stopping, picking it up, and thinking, “This is exactly what I need. A reminder to be a cheerleader for our team. They need to know that I have confidence in them and am their biggest fan.” And just like that, I started filling my basket with silly nothings that came 5 to a pack and brought me ridiculous joy.

I took my treasures home and split them up into brown paper bags. I paired each one with a few inspiring notes and funny calendar quotes, then I stapled them closed and tossed them about. I put them in my car, my office, and I gave some to friends who were in the same fight I was. Then I lived life.

When I felt like I needed a smile or a boost to get me out of my office and wandering the halls, I would grab a pop of joy. Without fail, the grab bag would make me smile, break the tension, lighten my mood, and give me something positive to focus on. I used the bookmarks, the silly pens, the noise makers, and the quotes I had packaged with them. It all brought me joy.

I also experienced a pop of joy with the people who supported my book writing journey when we took over New York Times Square by running a 15-second announcement about my book. It appeared once every hour for 24 hours. I couldn’t be in NY, but I watched it via livestream with friends and supporters. What a blessing and what a fun and memorable POP OF JOY.

What pops of joy are in your life right now?
How can you create more? I’d truly love to hear about it. (Thank you to those of you who have reached out to me—that, too, created a pop of joy!)