Stop Saving the Good China: A Joy Strategy for Leaders

Let me start with a confession.

For years, I kept a stunning set of china tucked away in a box in my basement—wrapped, protected, untouched. I was saving it for “the perfect occasion”… which never came.

And leaders do this with their lives every single day.

We pack away the things that bring us joy. We tuck away the moments, routines, and rituals that fill us up. We tell ourselves, “I’ll get to that when things slow down.” But the slowing down never comes, does it?

The Joy Thieves We All Know Too Well

Even the strongest leaders get hit with the same trio of joy thieves:

• The endless piles of paperwork

• The buzzing phone that never seems to rest

• The calendar that looks like it needs its own calendar

Burnout isn’t subtle. It creeps in, drains us, and leaves us carrying the weight of everyone else’s needs with nothing left for our own.

You already know what steals your joy. But have you honestly asked yourself:

“Do I know what builds my joy?” “What are my non-negotiables?”

This is where we shift from reaction to intention.

This is where joy becomes strategy.

Part 1: Stop Postponing Joy

One day I realized: If I’m waiting for “perfect,” I’m waiting forever. Just like the good china, joy was sitting in the basement of my life.

Your joyful life isn’t waiting for a perfect moment. The perfect moment is now.

So here’s your first challenge:

Identify ONE thing you always postpone—even though it brings you joy. A walk. A nap. A chapter of a book. Five quiet minutes. A journal page. Coffee with someone who makes you breathe easier.

Call it out. Name it. That’s step one.

Share it in the comments—because naming the thing you’ve been saving is the beginning of reclaiming your joy.  I’ll share step two in the next post. Make sure we connect!