What If Joy Is the Shortcut?

Too many high-achievers treat joy like dessert: something you earn after the work is done.

But that thinking is backwards.

Joy fuels focus.
Joy amplifies creativity.
Joy prevents burnout.

If you’ve been feeling off, dull, or stuck in a productivity loop, you may not need a new system. You might just need more joy.

Let’s fix that.

The Power of a Joy Audit

If you don’t build in joy on purpose, the chaos of life will crowd it out. That’s where the Joy Audit comes in.

This is simple. But don’t let that fool you—there’s real power in it.
Actually do it. Don’t just nod your head and agree with me.

📌 Gift yourself 30 minutes—undistracted.
Step away from your desk. Turn your phone on Do Not Disturb. Grab a journal. Go outside if you can.

Then answer these three questions:

1. What activities energize you?​
   Before, during, or after—big or small.
2. What makes you feel fully present and alive?​
   Think: when time disappears and you're 100% in.
3. When do you feel most like yourself?​
   That deep “click” where everything feels aligned.

You might be surprised what comes up.

​

My Own Joy Audit? Football (The Real Kind)

You already know I love clarity, coaching, and productivity.
But when I need to recharge? You’ll find me watching European football.

⚽️ I’m a proud Man City fan from the Premier League.
Even if a match kicks off at 9 AM on a Saturday—or 2 PM on a weekday—I’m there.

And no, I’m not avoiding work. I work before and after the match.
I watch because it energizes me to do the work.

That’s joy. And joyful people? They’re usually the most productive.

And One More Thing…

I think we’ve been spelling happiness wrong.
It should be spelled with a Y: happyness.

Why? Because the Y reminds us that joy is a choice.
It’s something we protect, not something we wait for.

Your Homework This Week

✅ Complete your Joy Audit. Not in your head. On paper. With focus.
✅ Then choose one small thing from your list—and build it into your week.

One moment of happyness. One spark of energy. One you-filled activity.
That’s how we start showing up with more clarity, peace, and momentum.

Next (and final) episode?​
We’re making it stick.
You’ve done the resets—now it’s time to lock them in with simple habits that keep your clarity strong and your momentum flowing.

📞 Book a free 15-minute Clarity Sprint Call with me.

Until then… protect your energy and keep bouncing forward.

Mark

P.S. Miss the first four episodes? Find them on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts.

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