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Daily Leadership Thought #161 – Are You Having Fun?

June 25, 2011

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I have always believed it is important to have fun at work and home as often as possible.  Life can feel like a treadmill otherwise.  I am not saying your day-to-day existence should be all “wine and roses;” however it should be about finding some level of joy in the daily aspects of our human existence.  It doesn’t have to involve a big gesture; it can be as simple as:

The list of sources of happiness and enjoyment is exceptionally long.  All you need to do is find what works for you and approach it with the right attitude.  In fact, making a list of the activities you enjoy is a wise idea because it can provide a good reference point when you are struggling to find the fun in your life.

Seeking out opportunities for fun is a conscious choice.  Rarely does it just happen.  While we all have moments of spontaneous joy, this is usually the exception not the rule.  I encourage you to make having fun a fundamental part of your daily, weekly, and monthly activities.   You don’t have to be a great planner to get more joy into your life; you just must continually seek ways to incorporate it.

However, be careful not to go too far in the other direction, no one lives a life of endless fun.  I have found that the more you have of something, the less you appreciate it.  As the saying goes, “too much of a good thing, never is.”

You still must deal with responsibilities, deadlines, commutes, chores, bills to pay, etc.  Look at fun as you would the seasoning of meal.  Sprinkle it in as needed.  Some days might require more seasoning while others less.  Try to avoid bland days by asking yourself “How am I going to make fun a part of my day today?”   Then use your answers to inspire action.