From Hustle-and-Grind to Joyfully Aligned

The closer we stay to our joy, following the call of true bliss, the more productive we can be, and the greater impact we can have with those closest to us and afar.

If we were brave enough, and talented enough, to lead entire teams of people who were that happy, we would learn first-hand that organizations can joyfully flourish while honoring people.

     Our guiding principle at Flourish Today is “People First.” And our mission in action is to always tie back that unwavering principle as the attitude we embody individually and as a team — and how it can improve and sustain our client’s organization/company culture and bottom line.

     In August, our focus is on BLISS: cultivating pure joy in both our professional and personal lives. We want to shift workplace culture from hustle-and-grind to joyfully aligned. Here at Flourish Today, LLC, we believe that if we’re not enjoying the work we do and being with our colleagues, we’re not doing it right!

     While many organizations exist solely for profit and greed, those are not the companies we’re addressing in this article. We’re talking to the companies and organizations that were birthed to help people and places, those committed to making a positive impact through the products and/or services they offer. If that’s you, we invite you and your team to lean into BLISS.

     Yes, we can create BLISS on the job. And why shouldn’t we? According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the time we spend working accounts for 25% of our adult lives (or roughly 13% of our total life expectancy). Although cultural norms may try to convince us otherwise, we don’t believe that “bliss” is just some flippant cliche that belongs solely in private conversations and spaces. Instead, it’s a perfect example of an old business paradigm we’re committed to shattering here at Flourish.

     Recent statistics (some at the end of this article) prove that happy employees cost their companies less. They’re more engaged in their work, they care more about their deliverables, they handle stress better and want to show up as their best selves. They get sick less, so health care costs are lower. And most importantly, they feel cared about and seen. That kind of ROI is priceless.

     It’s no coincidence that we’re talking about BLISS this month. August marks the end of summer and its innate duality. The sun brings out our energetic and creative sides while the heat requires that we don’t move too quickly.

     There are some appropriate observations this month around self-care: Happiness Happens Day (8/8), Book Lovers’ Day (8/9), Lazy Day (8/10), Relaxation Day (8/15), Be an Angel Day (8/22), and Eat Outside Day (8/31).

     Consider how you can encourage your team to take advantage of these days to rejuvenate. It might be spending a bonus day with their families before school starts or taking an unplanned day off just to relax.

     According to a May 2026 article from Workhuman.com, about 52% of U.S. companies offer wellness programs. These programs help workers handle stress and feel better. Employees who think their company cares about their wellness are 56% more engaged in work. Also, 67% of employees with wellness programs like their jobs more and recommend them to others. Investing in worker health pays off. For every $1 spent on a wellness program, medical costs fall by about $3.27 and absenteeism costs drop by $2.73.

     There’s company support and then there’s the inside job. How frequently can you remind yourself and each other why you show up every day? Sure, you may only be there for a paycheck because times are hard. If that’s the case, you too can lean into bliss. How deep can you sink into gratitude for all this “paycheck” provides?

     BLISS, joy, and gratitude go hand-in-hand. What are we grateful for as a team? What can we do more of individually and as a team to express our gratitude, big and small? What parts of your day, your job, your team, and the impact your organization makes bring you the most personal satisfaction and joy?