In the midst of the Holidays here in the States, people seem to get very tensed, stressed, overwhelmed, frantic and on edge. It can be a challenge to NOT be affected by this type of energy.

While driving down the street recently, I saw a guy dressed in a banana suit leaping through the air expressing “full out” JOY! He was on a busy street corner intersection as a LIVE MARKETING CAMPAIGN for Jamba Juice, www.jambajuice.com.

He certainly brought joy to me as I laughed out loud enjoying his joyful antics as he was  promoting Jamba Juice. I could not help but notice that people were in their cars smiling and beeping their horns at him to show their appreciation for his hard physical labor, demonstrating his joy. He obvioiusly liked his job…there was an energy there that you could not help noticing.

I was on my way to an appointment, as this was on a Monday at 8:30 am, during morning rush hour. My thoughts of this Jamba Juice “creative advertising” lingered with me all day. I even tried to find him later in the morning, on my way back from the appointment, and was saddened to see that his morning shIFt was probably over…although it lingered as a true shIFt in me.

All week I thought of this guy bringing his Joy to Work and his Joy to the World. I had never been in Jamba Juice before, and I am someone who does my best to eat healthy, so I decided to reward the Jamba Juice Company and their creative advertising and give them some of my business.

So, later in the week, when I had some extra time in the morning I drove to the intersection, and to my delight, the Jamba Juice Dancing Banana Guy was there! I pulled in the parking lot and went into the Jamba Juice store, and I ordered a healthy smoothy, with some extra vitamins called  a “boost” thrown in.

Then I went to give the Dancing Banana Guy a $5 tip and thank him for his joyful way of working. He was so immersed and focused in his work, dancing with his music head phones in his ears, that I surprised him. He was genuinely thrilled with the tip, and he asked if he could give me a hug. After his joyful hug, he said I made his day. I told him, I am happy to do that, since he made my day on Monday and that he deserves somebody making his day when he so positively impacts hundreds of people driving by, during his morning ShIFTs. He certainly SHIFTED me, in my mood and I told him how much I appreciated him. I also told him, he is the reason Jamba Juice earned me as a customer.

IF all of us could bring our JOY to the WORLD, by bringing our JOY to Work, like this guy, just think how the World would ShIFt? 

IF all of us could honor our bodies and drinking healthy drinks that Jamba Juice Provides, just think how our health would shIFt?

IF all companies could be creative in their marketing like Jamba Juice, just think how many companies would attract more customers to buy their products.

One thing is for sure, the most traffic in that strip mall parking lot, was going in and out of Jamba Juice. I know it is from the Dancing Banana Guy on the sidewalk during the morning rush hour.

In conclusion, a coaching tip I will add… their was a wonderful message on my smoothy cup that said ” Jambaism # 3: Do unto your body as you wish it would do unto you.” Food for thought during the holidays and beyond!

May you all find a way to shIFt and bring your JOY to Work and ultimately shIFt the planet with your energy and bring Joy to the World!

Have a Blessed Holiday Season and a Joyful New Year in 2007!

In Joy,

Christina Carpentier

Master ShIFt Coach