This holiday weekend raises the topic of why it’s vital to have more fun at work and how to do it.
Ah, the culture of bustle. Instead of living to work, it’s very usual in our culture to live to work, which leads to stress, burnout, and physical and mental health problems. Instead of being quietly or living life to the fullest, we frequently boast about how busy we are and how much we do.
What happens if the opposite is true? If we concentrate on enjoying what we do and the people we work with, we can keep things lighter and have more fun at work.
“Every day we spend at work is one of our precious and finite days on the planet,” stated Bree Groff, transformation expert, author of Today Was Fun: A Book About Work (Seriously), and counselor to Microsoft, Google, Pfizer, and Target. We aren’t enjoying five out of seven days of our lives if we aren’t enjoying our workdays. Nearly every workplace article you come across will highlight the extensive data that demonstrates how employee engagement influences corporate performance. However, I’m far more curious about how engagement affects my happiness in life.
Groff defines fun as being so instinctive, unadulterated, and, in many respects, subjective. When working on a task, ask yourself if it’s enjoyable. You’ll know right away if the answer is a resounding yes or no. The same is true with routine tasks; you can tell if they’re fun or not. Be aware that socializing with your coworkers isn’t the only way to have fun at work. The labor itself can be enjoyable.
Seeing your coworkers’ faces light up with excitement when you have a wonderful new idea is a lot of joy. Perfecting a piece of work and feeling proud of it is enjoyable. Groff said it’s enjoyable to see the difference you’re making with clients, consumers, or coworkers. Additionally, developing and showcasing your abilities is enjoyable. To put it another way, even while I appreciate a nice team meal (or even a game of ping pong!), the most sustainable form of enjoyment at work is when you truly enjoy the people you spend time with and the activities you engage in.
Establishing micro rituals is one approach to maintain a positive work environment. Micro rituals, according to Groff, are tiny, deliberate actions that significantly influence your day. They require very little time and are tiny bursts of delight and connection.
She suggests attempting micro mischief or writing a spontaneous note to a coworker expressing your appreciation for anything unique about them, such as their kindness at a meeting. Try adding some spice to your emails by using “Ahoy” instead of “Hello” and “Happy Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday” rather than just “Happy Friday.” This will make you and other people laugh.
Groff stated, Are you still here? It’s a joyful day! The all-too-common belief that the workweek must be completed in order to enjoy the weekend is countered by it. We can also have pleasure in our workweeks!
Vicki Salemi is a former corporate recruiter, author, speaker, consultant, and career expert for Monster. The Tribune News Agency
