Happy April! It’s a beautiful month where spring is fully in bloom and my heart feels extra full. My wife, JP, and I will be celebrating 24 years of marriage and our daughter’s birthday is also this month.

I’d like to encourage you to take three minutes to join me in a brief exercise to help create even more joy this month. Here we go…

1) Take 90 seconds and write down what brings you joy. Got your list?

2) Now, take 90 seconds and write down things that take away joy from your life. Life isn’t perfect, but as I share in my book, Life Lived Well, with a little intention we can bring better balance to it.

What can you do during this month to add more of what is on your joy list?

Flowers came to my mind and I’m going to make it an intentional effort to do a morning run through the hills with all their spring energy.

What can you do less of?

Maybe it is reclaiming a little bit of time for yourself or immersing yourself in a I “get” to do this mindset. The Japanese wise saying, cut wood when cutting wood, resonates and even things we don’t enjoy can take on a new energy when given our whole attention.

As Sister Maria shared with me as she handed me a small flower she picked and brought to my office… “I try to find something beautiful each day!” She had the fullest, warmest laugh.

As you reflect on your joy list and consider what to embrace or release this month, remember that small, intentional choices create the foundation for a more joyful life.

Please reach out to Jeremy at Jeremy.Zoch@gmail.com for speaking engagements on wellness, self-care, and leadership.

Consider giving Life Lived Well as a graduation or Mother’s Day gift.