In this increasingly dynamic and challenging world, finding meaning in what we do is essential for our well-being and professional success, but also increasingly complex to find answers. We live in the era of "dosing," where doing too much is grounds for cancellation, and doing too little is cause for judgments without measuring words, context, or impact. And thus, we lose the essential... to seek what truly makes sense.

For many years, I lived working trying to please everyone and leaving my needs last. What I didn't realize is that the more I dedicated myself, the more I distanced myself from myself and the more I distanced myself from the goals I wanted to achieve. When I transitioned from the operational area to the Human Resources area, it was then that I realized that a single change towards my professional desire - working with Training & Development - made all the other steps make sense to achieve all the dreams that were tucked away in a drawer and that I didn't have many expectations of ever being realized.

I had the opportunity, first and foremost, to get to know myself better, to know what I really believed in and what my values were (negotiable and non-negotiable). I tested my knowledge and opened myself up to learning from others. I put listening into practice, much more than speaking. And from then on, the dream of training turned into an opportunity to live in other cities and the opportunity to live in other countries and expand my knowledge also with other cultures and languages.

And it was in this journey that I became certain that HAPPINESS lies in the process of getting closer and closer to your own essence and what makes your heart beat. And it's okay to change directions and try several times. You're not going to get it right on the first try. You may encounter things that change your sense of purpose. That's not just acceptable - it's the point. The process of finding your purpose is more important than the specific words you ultimately choose.

To celebrate the International Day of Happiness, I invite you to delve deeply into this theme of happiness and purpose at work (and why not in personal life too?) and ask your self do you know your purpose?

Enjoy the read!

The Importance of Happiness at Work

Studies show that happy employees are more productive, engaged, and resilient. When we feel fulfilled at work, our energy and motivation multiply, driving us to achieve our goals and contribute significantly to the organizations we work for.

What Makes Us Happy at Work? by Dan Ariely — In this TED Talk, the renowned behavioral economist Dan Ariely explores the complexities behind happiness at work. He shares valuable insights into how intrinsic and extrinsic motivations affect our professional satisfaction and how we can find greater meaning in what we do.

Inspiring Leadership

Leaders who prioritize the well-being and purpose of their teams reap the benefits of a positive and productive work environment. By promoting an organizational culture that values happiness and purpose, leaders can motivate their employees to reach their full potential and work towards common goals.

🔗 Harvard Business Review - Self-awareness can help leaders more than an MBA

Discovering Personal Purpose

Purpose is the compass that guides our choices and actions in life. Finding meaning in what we do allows us to overcome obstacles more easily and face challenges with determination. Reflecting on our values, passions, and skills helps us identify our unique purpose and align it with our career.

There are a lot of benefits to having a purpose (just look at that list above!), but you need to focus on the ones that feel most important to you. It’s a little meta, but knowing why you want a purpose will keep you motivated in finding yours.

So don’t just ask “What is the purpose of life?” Ask “Why do I want a purpose?” and “What do I hope this purpose will do for me?” Are you aiming for happiness? Do you feel like you’re wasting time and want to do something more meaningful with your life?

How to find your life’s purpose

💡 Ask the big questions:

Draw up a list of questions that touch on the most important things in your life, then write down your answers. Ultimately, your answers will help you see a pattern of who and what you prioritize. Once you know that, you can set goals based on your priorities.

So, what sort of questions should make the list? That will vary from person to person, but the “life questions” below will get you started.

• Who is most important to me?

• What are my happiest memories and experiences?

• What is the best way for people to live?

• What makes me feel most fulfilled?

• What is my biggest regret?

• What are three things I hope for?

• What do I do when I fail at something?

• What individual attributes are most important to my identity?

• What would be worth dying for?

🌟Tips on how to find purpose in life

• Embrace simplicity.

• Allow yourself to revise.

• Forgive mistakes, both yours and others.

• Remain open to new experiences and thoughts, such as exploring a new hobby.

• Avoid comparing your journey with anyone else's.

• Adapt your goals and expectations according to your priorities.

• Establish clear boundaries, both for yourself and in your relationships.

• Allocate regular time for self-reflection and self-assessment.

• Let go of the pursuit of perfection.

Your sense of purpose may evolve as you encounter new experiences. And that's not just acceptable— it's part of the process. Remember, the journey of discovering your purpose matters more than the specific words you ultimately choose.

🖼️ Image of the Week:

Happy International Day of Happiness 🙂

In 2019, I graduated as a Chief Happiness Officer by FIU Chaplin School of Hospitality and Tourism Management FIU and WOHASU. I share with you the action plan for a life with more purpose and self-awareness. The goal of a CHO is to enhance employee morale, productivity, and overall job satisfaction, which can ultimately lead to improved organizational performance.

📼 TEDTalks Every leader should watch

How to know your life purpose in 5 minutes | Adam Leipzig

Adam Leipzig, CEO of a film production agency, shares his personal journey of purpose discovery and offers a simple framework to help others find theirs. This TED Talk is a source of inspiration for those seeking to align their careers with their deepest values.

Click here to watch.

💡 Quote of the week:

The purpose of life is a discovery, not a decision. You uncover your purpose by living life fully." - Richard Leider