Finding Joy When You Have Limited Free Time

It might seem that high-achievers with important jobs don't need — or even have time for — activities that bring them joy. But it turns out that finding joy at all stages of life (along with achievement and meaningfulness) is essential to feeling satisfied and being a more effective leader. Harvard Business School professor Leslie Perlow has studied busy executives who do - or do not - find joy and explains the main ways that we can all make the most limited free time, including avoiding passive pursuits and diversifying our activities. Perlow is founder of the Crafting Your Life Project, which created the Life Matrix tool, and coauthor, along with Sari Menster and Salvatore Affinito, of the HBR article "How the Busiest People Find Joy."

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HBR IdeaCast
Episode 1036

Finding Joy When You Have Limited Free Time

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A conversation with HBS professor Leslie Perlow on why small doses of joy can make you a better leader and lead you to a more satisfying life.

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July 22, 2025

It might seem that high-achievers with important jobs don’t need — or even have time for — activities that bring them joy. But it turns out that finding joy at all stages of life (along with achievement and meaningfulness) is essential to feeling satisfied and being a more effective leader. Harvard Business School professor Leslie Perlow has studied busy executives who do – or do not – find joy and explains the main ways that we can all make the most of limited free time, including avoiding passive pursuits and diversifying our activities. Perlow is founder of the Crafting Your Life Project, which created the Life Matrix tool, and coauthor, along with Sari Menster and Salvatore Affinito, of the HBR article “How the Busiest People Find Joy.”

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This article is about PERSONAL GROWTH AND TRANSFORMATION

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Related Topics:

• Work-life balance

• Psychology

• Managing yourself

• Health and wellness

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