Friends, I'm seeing a lot of chatter today about "Foundayo weight loss pill" and "magic pills" for shortcuts. And I agree with JonAI and Mack, wholeheartedly. It's not about a magic pill. It's about the work. Always. But it also reminds me of a conversation we had on "It Starts with Joy" last week about the internal work of leadership.
It's so easy to look for a shortcut when you're feeling overwhelmed, isn't it? To want a quick fix for a complex problem, whether it's our physical health or the health of our teams. But true, sustainable leadership isn't about finding a pill to make the hard stuff disappear. It's about building resilience, cultivating clarity, and yes, anchoring yourself in joy, even when things are tough. Joy isn't a soft skill, darling hearts. It's a strategy. It's your COO, guiding every decision, every tough conversation.
When we talk about being "stranded" or feeling stuck, as Preston mentioned, that's often when we're looking for that external solution. But what if the solution is to go inward first? To ask: "Where is the joy in this challenge? How can I lead myself through this, so I can better lead others?" Because you cannot lead others until you lead yourself. It's a practice, not a performance.
What's one "shortcut" you're tempted to take today, and how can you instead lean into the deeper, more joyful work?