If I’m not having fun, I’m not doing it!
That’s more than just my favorite phrase—it’s my entire life philosophy in action.
Life is too short not to fill your days with joy, passion, and purpose, and for me, nothing embodies that better than stepping onto the stage and connecting deeply with an audience.
One of my greatest joys comes from delivering my keynote about finding happiness (and other life essentials) at the bottom of a chemo bag. It’s really a walk through adversity and toward well-being.
Through my own battle with adversity, I’ve discovered valuable truths about finding genuine happiness and maintaining wellness, even amidst life’s most stressful moments.
While I recognize I’m not alone in experiencing challenges, I deeply believe that everyone has the right to choose their own path in overcoming them.
My goal isn’t to prescribe a one-size-fits-all solution but rather to openly share what’s worked for me, hoping it inspires you to find your unique path forward.
Here are a few takeaways that work for me; some of them may work for you too:
- ✨ The power of mindset and intentional language: Discover how your choice of words influences your thinking. For example, after I self-diagnosed my Hodgkin’s lymphoma and getting past the initial shock of the news, my friend Wendy inspired me to intentionally choose the phrase “walking through” cancer rather than “having” cancer—because “having” implies ownership and permanence, while “walking through” conveys movement, resilience, and a temporary challenge. That was a powerful choice for me and a call to action to keep living by that mindset—a way of thinking that not only got me through cancer, but also served as an approach for every aspect of my life.
- ✨ Strengthening your well-being amid big decisions: Big decisions don’t have to translate into big stress. In fact, big decisions can be pivotal moments of relief. My team at my practice recently completed a twenty-one day detox. The program consisted of drinking two nutritional shakes daily and eating one clean meal—free from gluten, dairy, and sugar. For many people, this might sound stressful because it differs from typical eating habits. However, here’s another perspective: Two of your meals are already prepared for you! There’s minimal prep work, there’s no grocery shopping for those meals, and you’re even saving money. Try this paradigm flip the next time you’re faced with a decision. You might like a new perspective.
- ✨ Pressure test yourself and your workplace: Learn effective techniques for reflecting on and evaluating your behavior in high-pressure situations. For instance when I’m at the practice and a patient doesn’t follow my recommendations, instead of letting the pressure wash over me, I reflect and look for the learning: Did I truly understand their needs? Did I address their objections effectively? This approach is about self-evaluation—considering how I might have better facilitated the patient’s success. Similarly, if your boss critiques your report, instead of reacting negatively, ask yourself: Could I have communicated more clearly? Was there a more effective way to accomplish my goal? This practice builds resilience, improves outcomes, and fosters a healthier workplace culture.
- ✨ Living unapologetically: You can identify and dismantle the thought patterns that hold you back. Living unapologetically means expressing yourself freely—whether through bold choices…or even outrageous clothing. Let’s say we surveyed one hundred people about my personal style. The results would likely reveal what we already knew—that some people loved my choices and others didn’t. But here’s the liberating truth: If it feels good to you, why not embrace it? This brings me back to my original statement: If I’m not having fun, I’m not doing it.
Embrace your choices confidently and create a mindset rooted in self-compassion and empowerment. When you honor your authentic preferences, you build resilience against external judgment and strengthen your sense of self-worth.
I invite you to engage in a mindset shift. Let’s discover happiness, strengthen resilience, and inspire well-being together, even when times are tough. You deserve joy, laughter, and fulfillment—and you can have them even in the midst of life’s toughest challenges.
Be positively altered,
Dr. Cindy M. Howard
P.S. If you or your colleague works in an environment where you could benefit from some of the workplace wellness topics that I cover in my blog or podcast, let me know! I’d love to share my insights in person on stage!
Can’t wait that long? Check out my book, Positively Altered: Finding Happiness at the Bottom of Chemo Bag.
One more thing! Don’t forget to check out my latest podcast with bestselling author Joey Coleman about “How to Transform Your Employee Interactions Into Lasting Connections.”
