Some people would say no.
They’d say it’s irresponsible. That you have to work hard – grind – to make anything of yourself. That you don’t deserve abundance unless you’ve paid for it in sweat and struggle. That joy is earned after the work is done.
But I’ve been rethinking that.
Not because I don’t work hard (I do). Not because I’m avoiding the hard parts of building a business (I’ve wrestled with bookkeeping systems, trademark filings, legal structures, shipping logistics, and spreadsheets that made me want to cry).
I’m rethinking it because joy is more than pleasure.
Joy is a mindset.
It’s a muscle.
It’s a way of being that helps us show up fully – and keep going, especially when things are hard.
Joy Is a Lens
Take something as mundane as doing the dishes. For years, it felt like a chore. But lately, I’ve found myself pausing to admire the pottery in my hands: mugs and bowls I shaped in the studio, or pieces made with love by friends and family. When I slow down, I feel grateful. I notice. The dishes become a meditation, not a task.
Or bookkeeping. Not my strength. But I can still approach it with curiosity. I can take pride in learning new systems – even if I eventually outsource them. (And yes, I did hire a bookkeeper. Bless.)
Joy doesn’t mean only doing the things you like.
Sometimes it means choosing to find light in the things you don’t.
The 80/20 Magic
There’s a principle that says 80% of your growth comes from 20% of your efforts. And I’ve found that to be true—not just in business, but in energy.
When I focus on the 20% of tasks that light me up – drawing, writing, visioning, collaborating, storytelling – I move faster. I create more. I feel better. And I naturally start to attract people who enjoy doing the things I don’t.
Turns out, there are people who love spreadsheets. People who thrive in logistics. People who geek out over analytics and backend systems. When I give myself permission to lean into joy, I make room for those collaborations. I don’t just grow – I expand.
So, Is It Okay to Follow Your Joy?
Yes. It’s more than okay. It’s essential.
Following your joy doesn’t mean you’re avoiding effort. It means you’re aligning your effort with what makes you come alive. It means turning your tasks into rituals. Your challenges into adventures. Your life into something you want to live—on purpose.
We each deserve that. Not later. Not “once we’ve earned it.” Now.
With love,
Heather Goff
Founder of Heather’s Joy
Heather’s Joy is more than a studio – it’s a way of creating, living, and sharing that begins with wonder and ends with connection. Whether through pottery, plush toys, websites, or words, I follow what lights me up – and build from there. My hope is that by sharing the process, it helps