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Ep. 123, Designing Your Life for Joy While Living in Reality

Season #3

You don’t need a new personality, a new job, or a vision board with unhinged optimism. You need to live in the joy ratio.

In this final episode of the New Year mini-series, Jenn walks you through how to actually design your life and leadership for joy—not as a vibe, but as a strategy.

This is a guided, reflective episode (yes, you'll want to grab a pen), where values, stories, and personality finally come together in a practical framework Jenn calls the Joy Ratio. You’ll identify what genuinely fuels you, what quietly drains you, and how small, intentional shifts can radically change how you experience your work and life.

No “new year, new you.” Just a new opening—and a smarter way forward.

Here’s What’s in the Episode:

  • 1:01 If you don’t know what brings you joy, there is no way you can ever live in joy..

  • 2:12 We don't need to normalize toxic positivity or toxic teams.

  • 4:11 Identifying joy for yourself.

  • 7:07 Identifying toil, even if you're good at the work.

  • 9:58 Using the joy ratio.

  • 11:02 how to design your work and entire life for joy without pretending toil can disappear.

 

Key Takeaway

You can’t lead well from a life that’s designed to drain you. You didn’t “lose” your joy—you never built it into your leadership.

 

About the Host: Jenn Whitmer

Jenn is an international keynote speaker, leadership consultant, and the founder of Joyosity™, helping leaders create positive, profitable cultures through connection, curiosity, and joy. With a background in communication, conflict resolution, and team dynamics, Jenn helps leaders and organizations navigate complex people challenges, reduce burnout, and build flourishing workplaces.

Her insights have resonated with audiences worldwide, blending real-world leadership expertise, engaging storytelling, and a dash of humor to make the hard stuff easier. Whether on stage, in workshops, or with coaching clients, Jenn equips leaders with the tools they need to solve conflict, cultivate communication, and lead with purpose.

Her book Joyosity and the Joyosity Works Playbooks offer leaders a fresh approach to joy at work that builds real results.

 

Resources & Links:

Get Joyosity and the Joyosity Works Playbook

  • This book gives leaders the tools to turn exhaustion into resilience and build cultures where work is a joy, people are whole, and organizations flourish.

 

Free 99:

  • Episode 120 of the Joyosity™ Podcast → The New Year Trope Leaders Keep Believing

  • Joyosity Explorer Map → This map will guide you to understanding the deeper purpose and story you tell yourself about your work. Joy is linked to purpose and productivity increases by 20% or more when you directly link your purpose to your work.

Ready to Make a Plan:

  • Joyosity™ Jumpstart → Get crystal clear on what you want, what’s in the way, and how to move forward with traction.

Starting the Journey:

  • Enneagram Navigator → Stop guessing your type. In this 1:1 session, get clarity on your motivations and blind spots.

Ready to Dive In:

  • Joyosity™ Intensive → A one-day transformative experience to realign with your values and build a practical plan for joyful leadership.

A Party for More:

  • Bring Jenn & the Joy to Speak → Bring the spark (not just the spark notes!) to your whole team with contagious joy, practical tools, and plenty of laughter.

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