100 Happy Days | Day 2 | Sweets

April 5, 2014 — 4 Comments

 Who Can Resist 

Texas Chewie Pralines from Lammes  

and 

Salted Brown Butter Texas Pecan Brittle Chocolate  

from The Chocolate Makers Studio?

“Yum-O” as Rachel Ray would say.

 

#100HappyDays: “There’s nothing as cozy as a piece of candy ...” ― Betty MacDonald

“There’s nothing as cozy as a piece of candy …” ― Betty MacDonald
Photo credit: Jackie Yun | JackieYun.com

 On Day 2 of #100HappyDays 

Sweets are on my happiness radar.  

I’m the type who asks for the dessert menu before ordering the entree.

My favorite holidays are Valentine’s Day, Easter, Halloween and  Christmas.  (Chocolate, anyone?)

And My Advice to New Leaders: 

“Lead through a Bowl of Candy”

My candy bowl was filled with Reeses®, Snickers®, 3 Musketeers®, Milky Ways® and more.

A bowl of candy can become one of your best and favorite leadership tools.  Here’s why: 

  • It’s Your Lifeline to What’s Really Happening!

Entice your team with a sweet candy energy boost (admittedly not the best nutritiously; substitute fruit if you like! — we used to have Wednesday fruit day and it was quite a hit) and that’s when you can corral them with a friendly chat about the real goings-on and take the pulse on whether your guidance is needed.

Bonus tip:  Put your candy bowl strategically just outside your office for those who are too shy to actually come into your office. 🙂

  • It’s Your Permission Slip to Take A Break! 

Are you and your team guilty of consistently working through lunch and breaks?  Your candy bowl sends a subtle and continual message to your team that it’s okay to pause and get refreshed.

Bonus tip:  It’s a reminder for you, too.  When did you last get up from your desk and stretched?

  • It’s Your Excuse to Do a Walkabout! 

Go ahead, grab your candy bowl and get to know your team on their turf.  For us introverts, the candy bowl is our ice breaker and don’t forget to pass out those candies as a “thank you”.

Bonus tip:  If you’re stuck about what to say, these “three words” would be welcome.

  • It’s a Reminder to be more Human!

Sweets bring out the smiles, the warmth and all manner of what’s good with being human.  You can use the candy bowl as a trigger to check in periodically and ask yourself: “Am I leading with my values as a human being?”.

Bonus tip:

A corollary question is “Have We Moved Past The Tough Guy Image?” — the topic discussed at this past Sunday’s #PeopleSkills Chat on Twitter, hosted by Kate Nasser (@KateNasser).

This tweetchat is one of my favorites and there’s good learnings for new and established leaders from the #PeopleSkills community.  Join in on Sundays at 10:00 am ET and find out for yourself!

CAUTION: All good, only if you pass the intention test!

"I give myself a piece of candy, a glass of tea and some free time to enjoy- that is how I honor my hardworking and appreciate my struggles" ― M.F. Moonzajer

“I give myself a piece of candy, a glass of tea and some free time to enjoy- that is how I honor my hardworking and appreciate my struggles” ― M.F. Moonzajer
Photo Credit: Jackie Yun | JackieYun.com

With all this talk about sweets, I hope you don’t think an intervention of sorts is needed for me.

Brené Brown, Ph.D., LMSW, research professor at the University of Houston, reminds us that what can be a comfort can also be what numbs us to the world.  There’s a difference between having 1 ounce of chocolate vs. a dozen Hershey’s kisses.

Know your intention when you indulge.

Today, my happiness isn’t from partaking from the Lammes Pralines and the Salted Brown Butter Texas Pecan Brittle Chocolate (I haven’t had even one bite!).

I’m happy because these delights represent:

Friendship:

What better way to welcome new neighbors returning to Austin than to share something one loves and in this case, something made right here in Austin?!!  Hope they’ll enjoy!

Pleasant Life Randomness:

Just noticed these candies look just like my granite counter!

 Over to You.  

Do you have a favorite sweet candy, leadership tip, or thought about the ‎#100HappyDays in a Row Challenge you can share?

Take The #100HappyDays Challenge.   from 100happydays.com

Take The #100HappyDays Challenge.
from 100happydays.com

I’d love to hear from you in the comments and please…

Life can be sweet.

#TakeThisMoment to engage and be engaged.

It’s up to you! ~ Jackie Yun

 

4 responses to 100 Happy Days | Day 2 | Sweets

  1. The candy jar on my desk has always worked miracles. Thank you for framing it.

    I gave up chocolates again for Lent this year. It is a dance I do with sacrifice, tradition and discipline that my two kids have adopted as well. So right now I certainly miss that sweet heavenly dark chocolate morsel which is a morale treat. (And trust me, Jackie, I will pick out something special and chocolate for Easter morning.)

    Life is very very sweet. ❤ “Let’s see what they have for dessert.”

    • Hello Leia,

      Here’s to the power of the candy jar/bowl! 🙂

      Thank you so much for visiting me here and sharing your thoughts.

      Did you know that the origin of the Easter Bunny is via the pagan goddess, Eostre. Per Real Simple, “Eostre [the pagan goddess] found a bird dying from the cold and turned it into a rabbit so its fur would keep it warm — but that rabbit still laid eggs like a bird.“ Chocolate eggs were a 19th century addition. Your comment about Lent and Easter got me to do a bit of surfing on Easter traditions.

      I’ll be thinking about you on Easter and wondering what the Easter Bunny will bring you.

      Much love,
      Jackie

  2. Intention Test Passed! >> Contagious Indeed this is Jackie! Thank you for passing the idea along.

    • Hi there, Jolie!

      I wonder how quickly happiness would spread if each of us could “infect” just one person with joy? Contagious in this context is a plus!

      Love seeing you here, Jolie. Means so much to me that you took the time to comment.

      Hugs to you,
      Jackie

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