Sometimes we all have bad moods, but let’s choose joy.

Let’s face it. Sometimes we just don’t feel good, and who knows why? And sometimes the people around are all like this:

But you don’t have to let those people get you down! Trust me, when I was a supervisor I dealt with plenty of these types who were grumpy for whatever reason. I once worked with a girl who would have grumpy customers complain and after she addressed the issue she would say “please don’t let that ruin your day!” I found that hilarious and I remembered her wisdom. So I learned to choose my interpretation and just shrug and figure they were tired and didn’t let my coworkers or customers ruin my day, either.

Why and how I started leading with joy

For whatever reason, I am the type of person who is deeply affected by the energy level around me. There’s nothing I hate more than walking into a room full of gloomy, grumpy complainers. And this happened almost every day when I worked at a coffee shop. Yes, life is hard. Yes, work is hard. But life is short people! And I decided I wasn’t going to let others bring me down. I was going to lift them up with me. And I gotta tell you, it’s a pretty good feeling to see people cheer up. Every morning I’d walk into work with a big smile on my face, head held high, and say “Good morning!” in the cheeriest voice I could conjure up. Even if people didn’t say hi back. Even if people glared at me. Even if people said “it’s too early to be happy”. I refused to let anyone dull my sparkle, thank you very much. And you know what? It was contagious. Now I’m learning to practice this at home.

Remember this…

When you walk into work or enter some environment (even your own home), there are things you can do  set your mind on showing love to those around you and at the same time cultivate camaraderie with others, and lead the way to a positive environment:

1. Pray for favor with others.
2. Read Mother Teresa’s Anyway Prayer.
3. Dress well enough that you like how you look and you don’t care what others think.
4. Walk tall.
5. Smile.
6. Speak excitement and joy into your day.
7. Exclaim “hi everyone!” even if everyone’s head is down – you’ll stand out but you won’t regret it! Better to be happy then be like everyone else.
8. Ask everyone how they are, acknowledge them individually , make eye contact, remember their name, remember details about their lives.
9. Be curious about others and less concerned about your own agenda. Practice self-forgetfulness.
10. Use self-deprecating humor.
11. Compliment others.
12. Write notes of recognition that show genuine acknowledgment of something specific.
13. When someone is about to walk in, slow clap…because why not?!

Even if you are grumpy or the energy in the room is low, bring joy anyway. Bring it on!

Remember, you don’t have to feel great to be great. Feel happy to be happy, Feel confident to be confident. Feel loving to be loving. Most of the time, life is about doing it anyway, regardless of how you feel. Lead with joy!