One way to find the joy in work is to find out what infuses other people with joy. I dare you to stop asking coworkers how they are. Instead, trying asking them what part of work most recently brought them joy.
And they may struggle to answer. You might struggle some days also. But the more we seek out the joy, the more we find it. And if you can celebrate the joy with those you work with, you are spreading the joy around. Joy begets more joy. It's a rule.
When we stop asking the usual questions and start asking what brings joy at work, we open the door to better conversations. This question can reveal moments of pride, creativity, or teamwork that we might miss otherwise. By sharing these moments, we celebrate what makes us happy and build stronger connections with our coworkers.
Talking about joy can remind us why we do what we do. It helps us reconnect with our passions, making us more engaged and motivated. When we share joyful moments, our workplace becomes more than just a place to get things done; it turns into a supportive community where everyone can thrive.
Asking "What part of the work recently brought you joy?" is BRILLIANT! I LOVE this as a tool for so many reasons! I can help management to find out where their team's strengths lie. I can challenge employees to think about the work on a deeper level (reflection). It is an excellent discussion started and can also serve to illuminate what parts of the work are lacking joy and how that can be changed! Thank you for the work you do here and in the lives of so many! :)