Book Title: Joy to You and Me (at Work!) by Amy Thornton
Category: Adult Non-Fiction, 179 pages
Genre: Self-help, Business
Publisher: Tell-Tale Publishing Group, LLC
Release date: June 5, 2018

Synopsis

Are you one of the 48% of employees worldwide who don’t like their jobs? Do you feel constantly stressed at the office? Or maybe you’re just feeling “blah” about your job and want to bring some life back into your workplace. If you talk to anyone about their careers or jobs these days, most of the time you won’t hear positive stories or excitement. You’ll probably hear words like “busy”, “stressed”, “exhausting”, and “mind-numbing.” And with the good old 40 hour workweek becoming a distant memory for many of us, this reality is just plain sad.

Joy to You and Me (At Work!) helps turn these situations around by giving the reader easy tips they can implement quickly to start making a positive difference in the workplace. Being joyful isn’t just a “fluffy-cutesy-nice” thing to do each day – it actually increases productivity and is good for any company or organization. The book helps anyone learn how to:

– Be a more joyful person
– Bring joy to co-workers
– Bring joy to customers
– Bring joy to networking

This fun, easy-to-read guide shows people of all ages and personalities how to make a difference immediately to make not only themselves happier, but to spread that happiness throughout the workplace – and beyond!

By sharing stories from the author’s 25+ years of making a joyful difference in the workplace and examples from truly kick-ass companies, Joy to You and Me (At Work!) is a life changing, fun read for anyone who wants to improve their work life.

Amazon ~ Barnes & Noble ~ Tell-Tale Publishing

Interview

Today I welcome  

Where do you get inspiration for your stories?

I swear most of them come “from above!” I have a strong relationship with God and try to pray daily. Talking to God is not hard for some of us, but sometimes listening to Him IS difficult. I try to stay open to ideas and possibilities, as the next story idea can come from out of nowhere. And when it hits, I’ve got to scribble that idea down quickly or it flies right out of my head!

My next book will be a novel and it is based on a true story that I heard about a few years ago. When I thought about the situation, I started to imagine how it could affect the relationship between the two women and for everyone around them.

What is your next project?

As I mentioned, my next project will be a novel. Two life-long best friends, Kate and Amanda, encounter an unexpected situation that instantly creates a wedge in their friendship. Will that wedge keep expanding to eventually push them and their families apart forever, or will something repair the relationship? Even I’m not 100% certain of the ending yet!

Is there a specific ritualistic thing you do during your writing time?

I started something new with Joy to You and Me (At Work!) by writing it mostly standing up! I dictated the book into my iPad positioned in front of me on a music stand. I liked being able to pace back and forth while I wrote and not feel like my butt was expanding from sitting so much! It also saved my hands and wrists, as I’ve dealt with some carpal tunnel/wrist pain issues in the past.

And I always have a cup of tea nearby while I write. Tea and writing go hand and hand for me!

What’s the most courageous thing you’ve ever done?

I used to pray for the opportunity to be courageous – you know, like run into a burning building to save someone or push a child out of the way of a speeding car. But I’ve realized I’ve done the most courageous things on behalf of my mom. I’m now in the “sandwich generation” – taking care of both my family and my elderly mother. Mom’s been in a couple of assisted living facilities and I’ve learned that if I don’t speak up for her, and often repeatedly, she doesn’t receive the proper care that she needs. It’s a reality for most any place that takes care of the elderly – you have to stay on top of the staff. I’ve been amazed how fiercely protective and vocal I am on her behalf!

If there were one thing you want readers to remember about you, what would it be?

My mission in life for years has been to give others joy – for real! And most of the time I’ve brought joy to people by doing little things that don’t require Herculean effort. Spreading immense happiness can come from doing something as simple as paying a sincere compliment to someone at the grocery store, or giving a co-worker who’s down a hot cup of their favorite tea. You may forget the small gesture you made for someone, but they may remember it for the rest of their life!

About the Author

Amy Thornton Shankland, GPC, has been bringing joy to her workplaces for over 25 years thanks to her innate enthusiasm. She is a former Dale Carnegie instructor, has been a grant professional for 17 years, is a former columnist for the Noblesville Daily Times, and is a current board member of Noblesville Main Street.

Website ~ Twitter ~ Facebook

Giveaway

Prizes: One winner will get a paperback copy of Joy to You and Me at Work and a $25 Amazon.com Gift Card and 2 winners will each get a paperback copy of the book (open to USA only / 3 winner total)

(ends Oct 27, 2018)

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