“When was the last time you felt pure joy?”
It’s a question that recently rippled through my network, and it stopped me in my tracks. Not because I didn’t have an answer, but because of how rarely we ask ourselves that simple, yet powerful, question. We often chase progress, promotions, or productivity — but joy? Joy often becomes an afterthought.
Yet when we look back on the moments that define our lives — the ones that light us up — it’s joy that creates the spark.
Joy Is More Than a Feeling — It’s Fuel
I had the opportunity to meet Rich Sheridan, CEO of Menlo Innovations, after his talk at Southern Fried Agile. Rich built his company around one radical idea: Joy. His book Joy, Inc. lays out a human-centered approach to leadership and work, where team pride, purpose, and joy aren’t just buzzwords — they’re baked into the culture.
The room was electric as Rich spoke, not because he had some magic formula, but because you could feel how deeply connected he was to his team and their mission. He wasn’t speaking about Agile as a methodology — he was speaking about people. That’s the kind of transformation leaders dream of, but often miss because they’re looking for quick fixes instead of building from within.
The Joy/Work Connection
At work — just like in life — joy isn’t fluff. It’s the foundation.
When we focus on joy, it doesn’t mean we ignore hardship. We embrace it with joy. We find joy in collaboration, in solving hard problems, in helping others succeed. That spark fuels the effort. It doesn’t replace the grind, but it reminds us why we keep showing up.
And here’s the truth: If we don’t make room for joy, burnout isn’t a possibility — it’s a guarantee.
Just like Rich’s team, we have to create intentional space for it. Not because it’s easy, but because it’s essential.
Joy in Life: Intentional Moments That Matter
Joy doesn’t only live in the big things. Sometimes it’s found in:
- Laughing uncontrollably with friends on a random Tuesday
- A spontaneous girls’ night that leads to meaningful new ideas
- Paddling on the lake at sunset
- Spiking a volleyball on a cool autumn morning
Those small moments? They stack up. They become the resilience bank we draw from when life gets hard. They keep us anchored to what matters.
Leadership, Purpose, and Joy
In personal coaching and professional growth, I often ask clients: What lights you up?
Because when life gets hard — and it will — our ability to sustain success and stay resilient doesn’t come from ego or external validation. It comes from what we believe in.
In my career, I’ve had moments with difficult leaders. Times I wanted to quit. What kept me grounded wasn’t the paycheck. It was remembering that I don’t work for a toxic leader — I work for the mission. I help make it easier and safer for people to use their money. That truth brings the purpose back into focus, and joy back into the work.
Try This: Recall Your Joy
Take a moment today. Think back to your childhood. What’s one memory of pure joy?
What do you feel when you remember it? Lightness? Laughter? Wonder?
Let that guide you.
You don’t need to live in the past, but you can use it as a compass. The joy you once felt isn’t gone — it’s just waiting to be invited back in.
Final Thought
Don’t let the fast pace of life bury your joy. Build it in. Be intentional. Make space.
Let joy fuel your mission, your passion, and your purpose — because when joy leads, the journey becomes one worth taking.
Authentic Evolution Journey 