From the previous post, you learned that joy work describes the steps and actions you take to stay on the path to your goals.
Start looking for places where you can slip joy work into your day. Then notice how much stronger you become as you strive to reach your weight-loss goals.
You can turn nearly any activity or thought into joy work. Here are a few ideas to get you started.
• Quick review
Many times during the day, pause briefly and think about your plans. Then ask yourself, “What is my joy work right now?”
Maybe it’s too stand a bit taller. Perhaps it’s a mental review of your goals for today. It might even be a quick reminder to be kind and to connect with people who cross your path.
• Stop sign
Think about your tools for stopping yourself quickly when you face a food temptation. Perhaps you have encouraging notes on your refrigerator or you remind yourself to skip the cookie aisle at the store.
Joy work “stop signs” give you structure, make your life safer and prevent accidents. I encourage you to create lots of them and post them everywhere to help you remember your joy work goals.
• Instant solutions
Your joy work suitcase includes an arsenal of tools you can pull out when you hit the unexpected. If you have read my 100 days of Weight Loss books, you’ve probably got several that you pull out often.
Here are several of my personal favorites:
Don’t eat because it’s there
Postpone eating
Don’t even start!
With joy work, you can access to these tools at anytime. They are always in your back pocket and available even during an emergency.
• Joy scan
During your busy day, you probably take care of lots of details. You make the kids’ lunches and coordinate getting them to soccer games. You check your phone to review the meeting time and the agenda.
But you also do your joy work by mentally scanning through your plans for lunch meetings, special events and family gatherings. Because you pull out your joy strategies in advance, you get to your meeting on time with an apple in your hand.
• Cultivate confidence
Joy works requires a strong foundation. You’ll need to cultivate your inner strength and confidence in your ability to manage your weight.
When cloudy thoughts slip in (I can’t, I messing up, it’s too hard,) you pull up your self-esteem boot straps and use your joy work to push the clouds away. Instead of doubts or discouragement, you focus on celebrating your joy, saying things such as, “I can, I will and I am doing it!”
Joy work timing
How often should you do joy work? The answer is every day, often many times a day. Joy works is the difference between old habits and self-care. It prevents you from giving up when you slip, and it questions the ground if you fall off the wagon.
Joy work is not a “lifestyle.” Instead it’s a system that reminds you how to slip quiet pieces of work into your days and moments, keeping you true to your long-term goals.
Dozens, maybe even hundreds of times each day, ask the questions, “What is my joy work right now? How does my joy work handle this situation? Do I need to create a new piece of joy work for this challenge?”
As you integrate joy work into your life, you’ll discover a sense of power and skill around managing your weight. Instead of feeling like losing weight is a burden, your actions will be a strong happy, part of your day.
You’ll also learn that managing your weight does not have to be a constant focus. Instead, you’ll simply be vigilant.
Joy work doesn’t make you obsessed with your next meal. Instead, it helps you relax and appreciate routine. So get started immediately. Get on your feet, lift your arms toward the sky and do a bit of joy work right now.