Creating a joy list: It just may help you rethink how you invest your energy

I love inspirational thoughts and that often happens when people share their stories and experiences. Podcasts are a great venue for receiving this type of motivation for me. Brené Brown always seems to come through with some deep thinking that leaves me feeling the need to share it with you all... (just in case you don’t listen to her quite yet, I highly recommend her podcast, “Unlocking Us”.)

Last week, she shared that her and her husband created a joy list, and that the process was much harder than they realized. ( To me… this sounds fun after all… hard seemed at odds with that….) She shared that their best moments consisted of experiences such as cooking dinner together. I understand that, because a simple trip to the Saturday Farmer’s market would definitely top my list. They then thought through what she referred to as their “acquisitions” and “accomplishments”...The lists didn’t align, and this is where “hard” came in- an honest conversation that created some new thinking and a change of direction.

Think about purchases you make that are on your “this will make me happy list.” Like, a new sofa, a new outfit, etc., and of course degrees, careers, and so on. For her and her husband, those lists didn’t look the same. Even though it may have been a life-long goal to achieve something or to buy or acquire something, those things didn’t make the “joy list.” Not all together surprising, but yet important. It left me wondering how mine would line up.

While I realize that an acquisition for example can bring joy… (a beautiful and comfy sofa can make me quite happy actually) – it is important to recognize that what delivers true joy may be in conflict with all of the focus we bring to obtaining, seeking, acquiring. It is quite possible that a shift toward those “value creation” moments that weave together and create our best days… and ultimately our best lives is the best use of our energy.

This project may in fact be worthwhile for you to do individually, or with your family. No question the investigation itself will provide you valuable insights. What creates the most joy? Let’s do MORE of that, and align our time, resources and energy around building lives of joy.