| Seven Ways to Keep Work Fun | | | | game is that there is not much to the game. |
| I used to love the commercial where the guy | | | | They are definitely in competition, but nobody |
| would have to wake up at an insanely-early hour | | | | wins anything and you can see the fun on their |
| to go make donuts. He did this so the donuts | | | | faces as they play. What competitions can you |
| would be fresh when all the morning commuters | | | | set-up for your staff that will not cost much and |
| came in to grab a donut and coffee. | | | | be fun at the same time, even if you do not win? |
| Unfortunately, he didn't get up early enough to | | | | 5. Take it Outside: Change the environment. If |
| prevent Dr. Atkins and Starbucks from taking his | | | | you normally meet inside, go outside (and visa |
| customers! I digress. The commercial came to | | | | versa). Change things up a bit. Heck, maybe even |
| mind for this subject, because the guy looked so | | | | rent a school bus and have your next meeting in |
| sad having to get up and go into work. Many of | | | | the bus! Put your team in a new environment and |
| us face that feeling when we stroll in at 9am! The | | | | you are sure to spark some new energy. Take all |
| following tips are meant to help you put some fun | | | | of the chairs out of the conference room and |
| back into your job. | | | | invite people to sit, stand, walk around the room, |
| 1. Get Over Yourself: You are not all that! Okay, | | | | or anything they feel comfortable doing during the |
| so you are a big important leader now. Good for | | | | meeting. I must warn you, there are bound to be |
| you! But guess what, the world was turning | | | | groans from the skeptics, but if you lead your |
| before you became the boss and odds are it will | | | | team based on avoiding the dreaded eye-rolls, get |
| be turning after you leave. Not to say that you | | | | help for that! That is no fun at all. |
| are not making major contributions to your | | | | 6. Just Because: Do something for no reason at all. |
| organization, but there is no benefit in getting | | | | Announce that next Tuesday is crazy hat day - |
| caught up with how important you are - instead, | | | | you could also tie that into tip #4. Or, put a cake |
| be thankful to be in such a position to help so | | | | in the break room for no reason at all. Just looking |
| many people. | | | | at a cake makes things seem better. Leave it |
| 2. Be Goofy: Or Mickey, or Minnie. It is difficult to | | | | blank, or you can write something like "Our team |
| be animated and not have fun. Tell a joke once in | | | | is so good, we can have our cake and eat it too!" |
| a while. Even better, tell a bad joke. Make the bad | | | | When there is something to celebrate, receiving |
| joke at your expense and fun can't be far behind. | | | | something is expected. However, doing something |
| Tell people about how you couldn't find your keys | | | | for no reason at all really hits home. That gives |
| because you put them in the refrigerator. As a | | | | me another idea: pick up the phone and call |
| leader, you often focus on getting things done | | | | someone you care about and say, "I just wanted |
| and getting them done right. Your staff might | | | | to say I care about, love, and/or appreciate you." |
| sometimes start to look at you as a | | | | Stevie Wonder and I will be very proud of you! |
| constantly-perfect robot. It is not fun to be | | | | 7. Actually Make Donuts: Do a team building |
| around someone that is always right (I don't | | | | activity that doesn't relate to work. Ask |
| know how my wife does it!) Show your | | | | everyone to come together to work on a |
| goofy-side once in a while. But don't get carried | | | | non-work project. This will stir up some energy |
| away with this tip. Few people want to be led by | | | | and creativity that will help people get more work |
| the Nutty Professor! | | | | done when they return to their desk, cubicle, or |
| 3. Yoda Says: Don't try to have fun, do it! It may | | | | spot in the coal mine. Making donuts could be a |
| impress you that you have agreed to try and | | | | great activity. Break into groups responsible for |
| have more fun on the job, but I say you can | | | | different steps in the process, or break into |
| show me better than you can tell me. If you are | | | | separate teams (see tip #4 again). What about |
| climbing Mount Everest, I will be impressed by you | | | | designing a donut lto ike your company logo? |
| just trying, even if you don't succeed. That is a | | | | Even if you do not like donuts, you can find so |
| tough challenge. Having fun on the other hand, a | | | | many fun activities to do with your team. Try to |
| good try is just not good enough. Have fun. Even | | | | break a world record of some sort. After you |
| if you are having a bad hair day. Even if you look | | | | are done, ask one of my favorite questions: "how |
| fat in that outfit. Even if you rip your pants and | | | | does all of this relate to our work?! " |
| everyone sees your Tuesday underwear (and it's | | | | In the spirit of being fun, I would like to close with |
| Friday!) It's just fun, now have at it! | | | | some words on fun from SpongeBob |
| 4. Hush Puppies: Compete for fun. My kids play a | | | | Squarepants, "F is for friends who do stuff |
| quiet game called Hush Puppies. I love when they | | | | together, U is for you and me, N is for aNywhere |
| play this game! Whoever stays quiet for longer | | | | any time at all, down here in the deep blue sea! |
| wins! Great game. What is really cool about the | | | | |