Create Space for Joy: The Productivity Secret Business Owners Forget

If you want more energy, focus, and results, you might not need another tool or strategy. You might just need to have more fun.

Joy is not a distraction from productivity..it is a driver of it. When you intentionally schedule activities that light you up, you restore the mental and emotional energy that keeps your business running. Without it, even the most well-planned day can feel like an uphill climb.

The day I learned to plan for fun

Years ago, when I was leading a national network of entrepreneurs, we used a specific daily planner. One day, I noticed something I had overlooked: a line dedicated to “Fun.”

At the time, I was laser-focused on goals, deadlines, and productivity. The idea of writing “Fun” on my to-do list was almost laughable. But the more I thought about it, the more it made sense. Fun wasn’t separate from success… it was part of it.

That one small line shifted how I planned my days. Now, in my Best Planner Ever, fun is always on the agenda, right alongside the strategy calls and sales follow-ups.

Why joy belongs in your business plan

As business owners, it’s easy to see productivity as simply doing more tasks. But real productivity is about creating the conditions that allow your best work to happen. Joy is one of those conditions.

When you consistently make time for activities that recharge you, whether that’s reading a great book, taking a long walk, or cooking your favorite meal…you:

● Protect your energy so you can focus deeply on the right work.

● Boost creativity by giving your brain space to make new connections.

● Prevent burnout by balancing output with recovery.

● Strengthen relationships when joy includes connecting with people you love.

If you only plan for work and never for joy, your days will eventually drain you. Joy is like oxygen, it needs to be a non-negotiable part of your calendar.

How to intentionally create space for joy

Leaving joy to chance rarely works. Tasks and obligations will always expand to fill your time unless you protect it. Here’s how to make joy a regular part of your week:

1. Audit your current schedule.

Look at the past two weeks and highlight any moments that truly recharged you. Notice how few (or how many) there were. This awareness is the first step.

2. Define your joy triggers.

These are activities that consistently leave you feeling lighter, happier, or more creative. Keep a running list so you always have ideas when you plan your week.

3. Schedule joy like a meeting.

Block it in your calendar and treat it as unmovable. Whether it’s a morning hike, a midday break to play with your kids, or a Friday afternoon coffee date, protect it.

4. Start small.

Even 10 minutes of something joyful can change the tone of your day. You don’t need a full weekend getaway to see results.

5. Build it into your systems.

Tie a joy habit to something you already do daily. After your first meeting, take a 10-minute stretch and listen to your favorite song. After you close your laptop, step outside for fresh air.

Three ways to add more joy starting today

1. The Morning Joy Ritual

Before opening your email, spend a few minutes doing something you love: journaling, reading, or simply enjoying your coffee without rushing.

2. The Midday Reset

Set an alarm halfway through your workday for a quick joy break. Step outside, call a friend, or work on a hobby for 10 minutes

3. The Weekly Anchor Event

Plan one activity every week that you look forward to: a class, a lunch date, or a family outing. The anticipation alone boosts your mood.

What gets in the way of joy

● Believing you don’t have time. The truth is, you don’t have time not to. Skipping joy leads to burnout, which costs you far more time later.

● Feeling guilty for stepping away from work. Rest and play are part of your job as a leader. They keep you capable of making high-quality decisions.

● Waiting for “someday.” If joy is not scheduled, it’s not happening.

The connection between habits, energy, and joy

Last week we talked about habits that protect your energy. This week is about using that energy to create a life and business that you actually enjoy. When joy becomes a habit, just like your planning, your follow-ups, and your client calls, you create a sustainable rhythm that supports your goals long-term.

Remember: You are building more than a business. You are building a life. Success without joy is just another version of burnout. Choose to create space for the things that matter most, and you will not only work better…you will live better.

If you want a tool that helps you plan for both productivity and joy, the 2026 Best Planner Ever is now hot off the press. It’s my 5-minute daily planning system that ensures joy has a permanent place on your agenda.

Grab yours here → https://bestplannerever.com/