Fun (like the sun) is a natural, abundant, renewable and readily accessible source of energy. But centuries ago, the work ethic relegated fun to the status of meaningless, idle frivolity. Fun then got into bad company and was seen hanging around with undesirable slackers, time-wasters and malingerers. Managers felt fun wasn't just unemployable, it had become a competitor to work. It got to a stage where bosses thought fun wasn't even funny! Remember the plight of “Patch Adams”? There are still workplaces today where fun is consciously banned.
How could fun get such a bad name?
Like all good things, fun couldn't be gagged (pardon the pun). It always maintained its value providing a break from stress - away from work. Today, as managers search for that elusive competitive edge, the potential of fun in the workplace has begun to get noticed. Far from the old philosophy of “the floggings will continue until morale improves”, bosses are beginning to realize that happy people actually work better.
Fun is therefore fast becoming not only acceptable in the workplace but actively encouraged (well, at least during lunch breaks - if we hear loud laughter in the office, we still tend to take a wary peek to see if the boss is around. But we're getting there). Mobile massages and tai chi classes - even laughter sessions - have become de regeur.
But we are still only part of the way towards business recognizing the full power of fun.
Fun is a life-expanding experience to be enjoyed anywhere, at any time. While you are having fun you are relaxing and allowing the real self to shine through. It's the time when you feel good about yourself, when you are likely to be at your creative, innovative, positive, enthusiastic, lateral-thinking best! Fun triggers a ripple effect, flowing into every aspect of your life, lifting your self esteem, self confidence and sense of self worth.
These life-expanding benefits occur just as much when you are having fun away from work. In fact the benefits can sometimes be even greater - especially if you don't like your job - because a personal interest is something you freely choose without any workplace restrictions.
Productivity comes from using your natural skills abilities and talents, only some of which are developed through the workplace. Interests that you pursue away from work, just for fun, unleash many talents. These become part of your ‘transferable skills', which play a major role in maximising your work productivity.
So let's officially welcome fun back (it never really went away). Fun indeed plays an integral role in every aspect of a person's week - at work, at home and at play. Fun is essential to mastering the serious side of life. It provides the balance that keeps us sane.
April 2007 |
