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 employees
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!
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