"Man, I wish we could get
rid of him. What a pain in the butt!" exclaimed the president of my burgeoning
natural foods company.
"Yeah, I wish! But we
can't. He brings in too much money. The owner won't let us fire him," bemoaned
the general manager.
Who's that?
The head honchos were
talking about me! I was the bane of their existence. In their eyes, I was worse
than an annoyance. I was a curse. Their cross to bear this lifetime.
What's Up with That?
Why did I upset them so?
Simple. I had too much fun!
I reveled in fun. I
propagated play. I promoted enjoyment on all levels of our organization.
As the company vice
president, I offered free homemade gourmet, organic lunches so all the workers
could bond by eating together every day. By request, like a radio station, I
piped in everyone's favorite music throughout the warehouse and offices. I
provided free Hollywood film showings and live rock band concerts every Friday
night to develop a sense of community among the workers. I arranged
Non-competitive Game Days with other New Age businesses. I got the company to
pay for employee hiking, canoeing, sailing and skiing excursions.
In our retail food stores,
I sponsored parties almost every day. Customer Gratitude Days. Employee
Appreciation Days. New Employee Celebrations. Old Employee Goodbyes.
Welcome-to-Spring Bashes. Summer Flings. Winter Festivals.
A Threat to a Smooth
Running Ship
What upset my bosses' world
of professional propriety was general merriment. Revelry for no reason. Play
with no purpose. Amusement with no apology!
A Danger to the Bottom Line
The only weak link in their
argument against fun in the workplace was that the Universe didn't agree! A
small flaw in their philosophy of business.
The World Talks Back
Yes, what really got under
their skin was that all my "frivolous folly" filled the coffers. Fun attracted
customers like kids to ice cream. Our retail outlets were always packed. People
ordered wholesale from us because our phone people joked with them-and our
delivery people came bearing smiles, laughter and free gifts.
My bosses called me shallow
and silly. They warned new executives and employees to not spend much time with
me or they would be "infected with idiocy."
The Genesis of Joy
I didn't promote fun
because of any intellectual or highfalutin philosophy. I developed my approach
in order to make "work" tolerable. In my first "job" – a childhood lemonade
stand – I discovered I could make business fun AND profitable. I was sold on
play. I was hooked on horsing around. Play equals profit in my book!
I'm Not the Only One
In today's lingo, you could
say that fun is the new Feng-shui of business. Ask Google, Inc., who provide to
their employee's three free meals a day, play space, office daytime volleyball
games, and encourage the use of roller skates at work! Fly the joking, jovial
skies of Southwest Airlines-the only airline to turn a profit every year since
9-11!
How Do Angels Fly?
How do angels fly? They
take themselves lightly.
Certainly there are times
when life presents major challenges and one needs to act clearly and directly,
but behaving responsibly and efficiently does not preclude humor and
light-heartedness.
In fact, a flexible, fluid,
upbeat approach and attitude is crucial to releasing magic and miracles in any
endeavor-personal or professional. Inspiration and breakthrough are often born
from the spirit of playfulness and exuberance. A spontaneous wink, a funny
smile, a comic gesture can unlock deep blockage and stress in any stagnate
situation. Through conscious silliness, soul purpose and connection can emerge.
Science Supports Silliness
Recent research supports
this thrilling thesis. Scientific studies show that fun, humor and laughter
reduce stress, boost immunity, relieve pain, decrease anxiety, prevent
depression, rest the brain, enhance communication, inspire creativity, bolster
morale, sustain resilience, and help us keep our balance and perspective in all
activities.
Doctors, nurses and
attendants now use "clowning" in hospitals to stimulate the healing process with
patients. Medical professionals have discovered that when patients are laughing
and having fun, they experience less physical and psychological pain – and
recover faster.
The same healing,
transformative dynamic reigns in every realm – business, relationships, sports
and spirituality. Laugh more, heal quicker, feel better, live longer – and
attract more abundance in all arenas of life!
The Purpose of Life
After all, what is the true
purpose of life? To learn to love more fully. What is the ultimate result of all
authentic fun, laughter and play? More free flowing energy. Healing. Love.
Machines Malfunction
One of my teachers is fond
of saying, "Even machines malfunction in the presence of seriousness." All human
endeavors malfunction in the presence of seriousness!
Clues Abound in Our
Language
The definition of
seriousness in our culture is "weightiness." And people say, "You must have
appropriate gravity for the occasion." But doesn't gravity weigh us down? "His
manner was very professional and properly sedate." Sedate or sedated?
Play Is a Lubricant
Fun is the antidote for
seriousness. Play is a lubricant for aliveness and creativity.
Yes, But …
Many people in our culture
say, "Yes, but … you must have fun in a responsible way." Yes, fun in a
"responsive" way. Fun is the very essence of true responsibility-that is,
appropriate responsiveness. Fun is the mutual enjoyment of the moment. The only
way mutual enjoyment can be created is by being appropriately responsive to the
situation and people involved.
"Your Mission, Should You
Choose to Accept It"
The challenge is to know
how to create enough fun whenever and wherever you can. The biggest obstacle
facing most people is their attitude towards fun. Enjoyment is often seen as a
secondary – or superfluous – consideration in most undertakings. And, sometimes,
it's even viewed as a hindrance! Nothing could be further from the truth of
human creative dynamics.
Make enjoyment your
priority in every enterprise! Fun and lightheartedness are absolutely essential
for wellness, happiness and success. As unforeseen and uncontrollable events
threaten to knock you off stride or isolate you from supportive resources, play
keeps you open, flexible and resilient.
Fun is the attitude of
willingness to find whatever joy and aliveness exists in each moment.
Approaching life's challenges with a joyful heart is the surest path to success
in any venture. Fun is the best fuel for success because it's the best food for
your body, mind – and spirit!
About the Author:
Drawing
from the wisdom of native and ancient spiritual traditions, Keith Varnum shares
his 30 years of practical success as an author, personal coach, acupuncturist,
filmmaker, radio host, restaurateur, vision quest guide and international
seminar leader with "The Dream Workshops". Keith helps people get the love,
money, and health they want with his F-r-e-e Prosperity Ezine, F-r-e-e Abundance
Tape and F-r-e-e Coaching at
http://www.TheDream.com
