“Happiness is a butterfly, which when pursued, is always beyond your grasp, but which, if you will sit down quietly, may alight upon you.”
~Nathaniel Hawthorne
I am sitting on my side porch, feeling the breeze on my skin, watching the birds at the bird feeder, hearing their songs from near and far away.
It certainly is a moment of happiness.
We often get connected with clients when they’re unhappy with their current situations. It could be a new boss, a difficult client, overwhelm, or general dissatisfaction. It could be a variety of things. But at that time, to our clients, happiness seems highly elusive.
We share with clients what we’ve learned over the years. What we’ve seen work for countless other clients. Sometimes happiness finds you most when you pursue it least.
We help our clients brainstorm projects that they can get involved with or ways to ignite their passion around their work. This often brings them happiness. We encourage them to make connections with others and to reach out to offer assistance or a shared coffee break – even virtual. This often brings them happiness. We help them remember to stop and pause and sit and notice, like with my moment on the side porch. This often brings them happiness.
We support them as they define what happiness means to them – it’s different for different people. We challenge them as they slide back into habits that aren’t serving them and bringing them joy and happiness. We inspire them to reach – in big ways and small – for whatever brings them happiness. We remind them that they deserve it and can let it into their lives.
Happiness can be elusive, and happiness is important. I firmly believe it fuels us to be our best selves and the best leaders we can be. It helps us have more to share and give and more resilience for the tougher times (and tougher people).
Happiness is important. Which is why I sit on my side porch, watching the birds on the bird feeder.
How have you found more happiness?
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If you enjoyed this post, you can read more like it in our book, The Power of Thoughtful Leadership: 101 Minutes To Being the Leader You Want To Be, available on Amazon.
If you want to be happier, contact Lisa at lkohn@chatsworthconsulting.com.
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