So some of us aren’t very in tune with how we’re feeling in a particular moment. Enter my solution… the joy-o-meter! (Don’t worry you already have one…you just might not know it!)
The joy-o-meter is a whimsical way I use to gauge how joyful I am in the moment or around a particular situation, and it’s also a great way to use joy as a decision-making tool. Every situation requires joy (or a bit of ), so the joy-o-meter can show you what activities to pursue, which people to spend time with, and which careers to choose.
Is your joy-o-meter working for you? 
To get using your own joy-o-meter, first notice what are your indicators that you are closer to or further from joy? For me it is all in my voice. If I sound alive, excited, engaged, then my joy-o-meter is running high. If I am sunken, heavy, slow in my speech, if I think I have to do something or it is a “good idea”, then my joy-o-meter is low.
When my joy-o-meter is low, I take it as an indicator that it’s time to re-think that activity or choice. Or I consider that it’s time to change my attitude or perspective about that thing.
Sometimes, it takes a little bit of a snap to get the joy-o-meter back into working order. Use these questions to help you do that:
- Where in your life have gotten into the rut of just doing what’s a good idea?
Maybe you’re going to the same place for your date night or even ordering the same food. At work you might be doing the same tasks and never volunteering for the interesting, exciting, or a little bit scary tasks.
- What’s it costing you?
- Where are you choosing joy or fun?
- How does it affect you? How do you know you’re in the joy and the fun?
- What do you need to do to choose more fun?
Your self-respect? Excitement? Spontaneity? New possibilities?
Hint: These are the things that make your heart pound, your eyes twinkle, or put a smile on your face. You know that you’re stretching yourself and you feel anticipation when you’re doing these activities.
Check out . Are you more aware, or tuned in to yourself and your environment? Maybe you’re feeling a buzz, an excitement, an anticipation?
Maybe it’s a matter of saying no to the stuff that doesn’t work. Or maybe it’s time to get your joy-o-meter tuned up so you know what’s joyful!
Okay over to you:
When has your joy-o-meter served you? What do you plan to do to trust it more often? I’d love to hear from you! Leave a comment below.
