Ode to joy (at work)

On their deathbeds, ancient Egyptians would ask two questions: Did you bring happiness? Did you find joy?

Mazzy Cameron, a consultant and author, also starts her day by asking these questions. She said, "I was told by a religious leader that joy can be as simple and straightforward as waking up in the morning and realizing you have another day to live on this planet." "Joy" is the highest energy state that we can achieve. If we don't experience joy regularly, it means that we are not fully alive.

Cameron's upcoming book Hacking Joy: the Playbook teaches us to be alive, reboot our energies, and empower a whole new world. She encourages individuals to raise their frequency up to the highest one possible -- joy.

Cameron stated that "for any organization or team, to help people operate at a higher frequency is the dream state because it comes more easily." "It's more like a flow, than a grind," Cameron said.

Workday's global report shows that workers have reported burnout rates at record highs. No wonder, as the three main burnout indicators for key roles and industries are: satisfaction of work, energy level, and connectedness.

Cameron believes that the pandemic is making it harder for people to reach this state of being, as they are still holding a lot the heavy energy of their experience. What can we do in order to find more joy and happiness within the mundane, everyday routine of life and work?

Cameron suggests that we reconnect to what makes us happy when we feel down about our work. It's possible that we will need to be creative in our efforts. She thought that they needed to be creative because her sister who loves to travel couldn't go on vacation during the first years of the pandemic.

Cameron's suggestion is to take a taxi, ask the driver to play your favorite music from around the world and prepare to feel the freedom that only travel can provide.

Cameron offers a two-step method for adding more joy to your day. The first step is to realize that joy is a zone of energy, and to keep it at a high level we need to work hard. The second step is to allow the energy to come out. Release these repressed emotions is key to preventing triggers in the future that will poke at this pent-up petulance. She suggests taking a boxing lesson or journaling to express repressed feelings.

Cameron warns us that negative emotions like guilt, shame and despair can arise at any moment. Just because we feel different emotions does not mean that we should let them set up a basecamp for themselves. We should listen to our emotions instead of setting up camp.

Organizations should be warned: The road to happiness at work is paved by consistent actions. Businesses that send their employees for a one-hour workshop to promote joy and then return them to their toxic work environment will fail quickly. She advises that it's the responsibility of a company's leaders to create an atmosphere that is equally energizing.

Cameron explains that "as a leader, your words and actions are amplified." It's a good idea to give employees a goal or mission that they can work towards. Leadership must also embody the values of those who are supporting this initiative. If you want a sense of aliveness and you're drinking your 200th coffee with a frown on your face, then you won't cultivate it," she explained.

Cameron recommends that you reserve five minutes for yourself before your next meeting in order to prepare and ground yourself. No matter if it is a difficult topic or not - the most important thing they can do for their team is to create an environment where others feel comfortable and safe.

Cameron reminds us that the neuroscience view is one of an away and towards state. In an "away" state, you are moving away from something or someone. The "toward" state is the opposite, where our brains are ready to absorb our environment, think, and act. Cameron's advice may have been the most liberating, since it is up to each individual to move as frequently as possible into their "toward state," moving closer and closer towards joy.

Cameron said that leaders have a responsibility to do all they can to create a culture where people feel free to express themselves and thrive. It's up to each individual to accept and embrace the invitation.

You can be happier by focusing your morning on what you enjoy.

Send us your questions, comments and stories of joy by emailing EMAIL. This edition of The Memo is written by Anna Oakes, and edited by Gabriela Riccardi.