Recently, a serious journalist interviewed me over the phone about my Very Serious Business Career. (I say that last part sarcastically, because not much of what I do is serious).
In keeping with my hectic life, I was driving the car, talking on the hands-free device, sipping my soy mocha and petting my little puppy, who couldn't possibly sit as far away as the passenger seat.
The interview was going well. The journalist asked all of her questions while I enjoyed the sun and responded in a Very Professional Manner. The pup seemed sleepy, but then she opened wide to yawn and … threw up on me.
This wasn't just a little spit up, unfortunately. It seemed like the week's takings, and it was all over me and the car's interior.
I remained Very Professional and didn't miss a beat with the interview, but I was giggling inside. Anyone watching might have noted that my facial expression said, “I'm horrified that such a pretty little thing could create such a mess, but it really doesn't matter, because it's not such a big deal, and it's actually quite funny.”
Afterwards, I e-mailed a good friend and told her about the incident. She replied, “Em, that's the thing about you. You always greet every situation and challenge with such joy.”
Her comment came at a time when I'd been thinking a lot about joy. We'd just had T-shirts printed for a group of my Business Chicks employees, who will run in Sydney's “City 2 Surf” race to raise money for a local children's charity. The T-shirts said, “Business Chicks, Joyfully Supporting Kids Help Line,” because that's how we felt about it. It's a joy to do the sort of work we do-Business Chicks is the leading community for women in business in Australia-but then again, we don't even consider it work because we love it so much.
People ask me all the time why I'm perpetually happy, and the answer is because I love what I do. I've figured out what I'm really good at and worked out a way to make it into a business. There's no separation in work and life for me- they're one and the same.
- How can you, too, bring joy into your work?
- Start doing the stuff you love.
- Only work with people who have great optimism.
- Give thanks regularly. Have an attitude of gratitude.
- Do something meaningful that leaves the world a better place.