It’s no secret that nonprofit professionals are facing mounting challenges that make it increasingly difficult to serve and support our communities. Amid staffing shortages, increasing burnout, rapidly advancing technology and changing policies, Shabnam Mogharabi says there is an important solution that can help address our greatest obstacles.
Joy.
According to research, joy is one of the most powerful forces for good, correlated with proven health benefits, including improved heart health, the ability to effectively combat stress, a stronger immune system, pain reduction, an overall healthier lifestyle, and a longer lifespan.
But to harness these benefits, Shabnam Mogharabi, best-selling author, positive psychology expert and the keynote speaker at the Nonprofit Leadership Center’s 2024 Nonprofit Leadership Conference, says nonprofit leaders must embrace being rebellious:
Shabnam shares her five essential elements to create a personal joy toolkit that can help you positively reframe your attitude, adopt a purpose mindset, and prioritize community and connections.
5 Elements to Create Your Personal Joy Toolkit
To harness more joy at work and in life, start with Shabnam’s five ingredients to create your own joy toolkit:
1. Express gratitude.
To enhance any area of your life, gratitude is essential. Dozens of research studies show that showing gratitude has benefits, such as enhancing resilience, strengthening relationships, and boosting well-being. It’s also the foundation for joy and reduced burnout.
TRY THIS: This week, when you think about someone you care about, pick up the phone or send them a message to tell them. Don’t wait. A simple act of gratitude every day can go a long way for both you and the person receiving it.
2. Know your why.
Each of us has an individual purpose as we move through this Earth that is rarely connected to a job. Your true purpose is less about what you do and why you do it and who you do it for. Shabnam cautions us against hitching our purpose to a job or specific role that can change and undermine the source of our true purpose.
TRY THIS: To help define your sense of purpose, try this exercise: Ask yourself ‘What is my why?’ Then, ask ‘Why?’ six more times for each of those answers. Shabnam says it often takes asking ‘why’ seven times to get to your true ‘why.’ This can help you identify the seed of truth that is closest to your true purpose.
3. Prioritize connections.
Quality relationships are essential to finding joy. It’s not about the number of friends you have, but the quality of those connections. Shabnam says it’s about having two good friends, not 20. Prioritizing those relationships and nurturing those connections will pay dividends. Building trust requires vulnerability.
TRY THIS: When spending time with friends or family, leave your phone in another room. Free time together without a phone helps create a greater sense of presence and connection. This is especially important when spending time with children in your life.
4. Find your community.
Linked with prioritizing connections is building and being part of your community. This reduces loneliness and bolsters your purpose.
TRY THIS: To help find and build your community, join something. When you commit to show up for something, be it a club or new activity, you turn engagement into enjoyment to create more joy. What is something new you could join or commit to in your community this month?
5. Start small, start today.
Changing our behaviors and habits doesn’t happen overnight. Making small, incremental changes over time can lead to long-term shifts in our well-being.
TRY THIS: Commit to doing one small thing today — send a message of gratitude, keep your phone in your desk drawer all evening while with family, join a community group. Do one small thing today, and then another tomorrow, and watch your joy multiply.
Start Small With a Nonprofit Training Class
Signing up for a professional development experience to invest in yourself is a small step you can take today to harness more joy. Join the Nonprofit Leadership Center for an upcoming nonprofit training class or certificate program to become a stronger, more joyful leader. From leadership and management to fundraising and finance, we’ve got something for nonprofit professionals at every level to strengthen your skills and nonprofit.
