In my case, my Joy Factor is, on average, above a five, probably close to 7 consistently. On quite a few occasions, I have experienced days where I rate 8 to 8.5. There have also been a few dozen days when I was feeling a 10. Those times were in response to something really big happening in my life, like my engagement, my sons arriving, giving a special presentation, and getting my new puppy, Milo.

Of course, I have those days when I fall below a five. In my 30’s and 40’s, those below-the-line days happened way too often. Today, when my rating drops, I call on my superpowers to redirect my emotions to reach a rating more positive on the scale.

Here is what I have learned about my Joy Factor.

 There seems to be a direct connection between my level of joy and acting in alignment with my life’s purpose.

That statement might beg the questions, must you know your purpose to have joy? Or can you feel joy without knowing your purpose? These questions are much like the rhetorical question of which came first, the chicken or the egg?

In my experience, acting in alignment with your purpose is not the only way to feel joy, but it seems to be the most sustainable way. When you know your life’s purpose and unique reason for being on this planet, you can act in alignment with it and ultimately receive enormous satisfaction and a sense of achievement.

At our core, each one of us longs to feel joy regularly.

You and I are not so different. You may be a lawyer, physician, banker, sales rep, student, or retiree. No matter your title, we both long for internal gratification, that sense of satisfaction and reward that comes from our unique contribution to the world. Yet, how do we reach it?