Some Fun

Some Fun

13 Steps to Creating a Fun Workplace

There are 3 ways to motivate people to work harder, faster and smarter:

1. Threaten them.

2. Pay them lots of money.

3. Make their work fun.

In today's workplace, threatening people has not been effective. Paying them lots of money (even if you can afford it) has only shown short-term success. Only number three, making their workplace enjoyable, has a track record of effecting real change. It is time managers learned how to create an atmosphere that is challenging, creative and fun for employees as well as for themselves.

How Fun is Productive

Imagine a work world where people love their work environment, and they are calm, stress-free and happy all day long. People who are in good spirits are more likely to be productive. Their mental attitude produces increased oxygen, endorphins, and blood flow to the brain, which enables them to think more clearly and creatively. They are more relaxed, more accepting of others, and more likely to share their sense of humor.

Laughter creates a bond that brings others together; people like to be with employees who are having fun. Creativity, intuition and flexibility are key to successful operation of organizations today. In stimulating environments, employees enjoy their time at work and they will also excel at work. Attracting customers is easier in an environment of hospitality. A fun workplace is not only more productive, but it attracts people and profits.

A Test: Is your Staff Suffering from Terminal Seriousness?

Scan your workplace and take note:

Do you regularly catch people laughing or smiling at work?

       YES       NO

When something funny happens do people stop and appreciate it?

       YES       NO

Does your organization have fun activities at least monthly?

       YES       NO

Do you have tools (fun giveaways, draws) to invite patients to participate in having fun in your environment?

       YES       NO

Are managers usually optimistic and smiling at work?

       YES       NO

If you answer no to two or more of these questions, your staff probably suffers from "terminal seriousness," which is negatively affecting morale and productivity.

More Benefits of Humor in the Workplace

Dr. Norman Cousins said, "Laughter is an igniter of great expectations." Children laugh an average of 400 times a day and that number drops to only 15 times a day by the time people reach age 35. Preschoolers must know something we don't. Laughter releases endorphins (a chemical 10 times more powerful than the pain-relieving drug morphine) into the body with the same exhilarating effect as doing strenuous exercise. Laughing increases oxygen intake, thereby replenishing and invigorating cells. It also increases the pain threshold, boosts immunity, and relieves stress.

Humor also levels the playing field to create an atmosphere that encourages honest dialogue, open communication, and increased risk-taking. Creating more equality in power or control shows people respect and builds pride in their work.

This is just a sampling of the benefits of having fun in your workplace. Hopefully now you are convinced you could use a "fun injection" in your own place of employment.

Help people belong to your organization and not just work there by giving them a way to solidify and build rapport.

THIRTEEN STEPS TO CREATING A FUN WORKPLACE:

1.   Give up the notion that professionalism means being

serious all the time. It's possible to take yourself lightly and still be competent and productive. Start to promote the benefits of humor at work.

2.   Define what fun is in your workplace and what it is not

(e.g. harmful humor, off-color jokes, sexual humor, humor tarnishing the organization)

3.   Organize a "Fun Committee" for dreaming up fun

"stuff" to do during and after work.

4.   Add fun to meetings. Bring in fun things such as Nerf

balls, a basketball and hoop, or party blowers. Start a meeting with a humorous story or joke.

5.   Collect and share your favorite cartoons and jokes.

Create a Joke Board or a Humor Newsletter. Look for tools to disseminate fun and funny things daily.

6.   Let customers know you are a fun company. Do

something just for fun (organize fun customer events, dress for fun, share funny things with customers) and give employees tools to create a fun relationship with customers (stickers, candy for children, dog biscuits for dogs, humorous buttons with the company logo). This makes work more fun for employees and it strengthens the relationship with customers. Dick Snow of Ben and Jerry's Ice Cream says, "We believe that we're in the entertainment business and selling ice cream is just a part of what we do. In our stores the counter is our stage and the customers are our audience." Disneyland has the same kind of approach.Employees are part of an entertainment experience, and they aren't just doing a job.

7.   Gather your co-workers for the "Joy of Work" hour.

Everyone must talk about something good at work. Take turns telling stories about the things that make work a joy. Each person should contribute ideas on how to make work more fun.

8.   Have a fun recognition program. Fun is not a reward for

performance, but can be a way to encourage employees to perform. For example, you could create "games" out of productive activity...who can motivate the most patients in a hospital to smile and say something funny to the head nurse. Playful and goal-oriented fun is best.

9.   Respond to fun when it happens. Funny things occur all

the time, but if you are obsessed with left-brain analytical thought, you might find it hard to stop and respond. Natural spontaneous humor is a blessing. Stop and take a moment to give employees and customers an opportunity to see the fun in the event.

10. Commit to being fun and it will change your approach

to work. Start slowly with a few activities and communicate your desire to create a more relaxed workplace. Don't expect things to turn around overnight.

11. Put fun things and activities in the staff room. This allows

people to take their mind off of the seriousness of work for a short period, so they come back to work with a more positive and balanced perspective.

12. Encourage staff to leave work behind at the end of the

day. Employees shouldn't be so consumed with work that it affects their family life and leisure activities. Find fun ways for employees to "unload" at the end of the day or week. Create a ritual like writing a "to do" list and posting it on the board. By doing this, you commit to not thinking about the things on the list until the next day.

13. Encourage employees to develop their own style of

having fun. A nurse anesthetist at a hospital in Michigan often sings to his patients to help them relax prior to surgery. Patients have appreciated this so much that they have told family and friends about the experience. It is not uncommon now for the hospital staff to get requests for "The Singing Anesthesiologist" when they are scheduling their surgery.

Remember that employees create fun in the workplace, not managers. It's a manager's job to orchestrate fun activities (and not get in the way of them).

About the Author

Jody has been presenting her keynote addresses around the world for over 10 years.  She is passionate about spreading the message of fun, and meaningful work. Annually she addresses over 40 organizations and associations, and is a top motivational keynote speaker.

Jody is author of the book All Work & No SAY and writes a syndicated column called the Joy of Work, which is published in over 40 magazines and trade journals. Her mission is to help individuals and organizations derive more meaning and satisfaction from their work.
 
Jody is a feature speaker for the GE Healthcare Tip-TV program broadcast in over 2600 healthcare facilities. Jody is the 2008 Bronze Winner of the 29th Annual Telly Awards for excellence in programming this presentation.

Jody's clients include health care associations, financial, corporations, parks and recreation bodies, government departments and many more groups

Some Fun Now $10 Some Fun Now

Just Having Some Fun $6 Just Having Some Fun - Bratz

Some Fun $13.99 One of the most award-winning, critically acclaimed story writers working today, Antonya Nelson has a list of accolades that is astonishing for any writer, but especially for one as young as she. With her newest collection, Nelson once again proves herself worthy of her stellar reputation, delivering seven taut, striking stories and a brilliant novella, all exploring the tensions of troubled family relations. Nelson is an extraordinary chronicler of the fraught relationships between parents and children and husbands and wives. With her particular understanding of the threats and vulnerabilities of wild adolescence, as well as the complicated, persistent love that often lies dormant beneath the drama of rebellion, she illuminates the hidden corners of her characters' lives. The shy, shoplifting sixteen-year-old protagonist in the title novella is trying to understand how to become an adult while going through a year of family disaster. We watch as she dabbles in the same adult behaviors that so repulse her about her parents (binge drinking, sex) while maintaining so much of her adolescent insecurity and confusion. "Dick" is a moving story about a mother who, having lost her daughter to the vicissitudes of adolescence, has a compulsion to protect her innocent, preadolescent son from the aggressive and encroaching post-9/11 adult world. The homeless teen at the heart of "Eminent Domain" is a pampered Houston rich girl who has, for her own reasons, taken to the streets. Radiating an emotional intensity that unifies the entire collection, each of Nelson's stories both captivates and unnerves. As her characters run the gauntlet of often bewildering family tensions and trauma, she alternates hope and despair, resentment and love, in perfectly recognizable proportions. Weaving wonderful observation with quick wit and striking insight, Some Fun is a timely and provocative inventory of the state of family in America -- and proof of why Nelson is one of the most important writers at work today.

Just Havin' Some Fun $22.99 Track Listing: 1. Just Havein' Some Fun, 2. Tanga, 3. Nalini, 4. Just Friends - (featuring Bonnie Herman), 5. Saudade, 6. Jasmine, 7. Some Other Time - (featuring Bonnie Herman), 8. Lady in the Moon, 9. Monster and the Flower, The, 10. Nature Boy, 11. Strange Blues

I Wanna Have Some Fun (Deluxe Edition) $10.49 I Wanna Have Some Fun (Deluxe Edition)

Some Fun: Stories and a Novella $3.95 One of the most award-winning, critically acclaimed story writers working today, Antonya Nelson has a list of accolades that is astonishing for any writer, but especially for one as young as she. With her newest collection, Nelson once again proves herself worthy of her stellar reputation, delivering seven taut, striking stories and a brilliant novella, all exploring the tensions of troubled family relations. Nelson is an extraordinary chronicler of the fraught relationships between parents and children and husbands and wives. With her particular understanding of the threats and vulnerabilities of wild adolescence, as well as the complicated, persistent love that often lies dormant beneath the drama of rebellion, she illuminates the hidden corners of her characters' lives. The shy, shoplifting sixteen-year-old protagonist in the title novella is trying to understand how to become an adult while going through a year of family disaster. We watch as she dabbles in the same adult behaviors that so repulse her about her parents (binge drinking, sex) while maintaining so much of her adolescent insecurity and confusion. "Dick" is a moving story about a mother who, having lost her daughter to the vicissitudes of adolescence, has a compulsion to protect her innocent, preadolescent son from the aggressive and encroaching post-9/11 adult world. The homeless teen at the heart of "Eminent Domain" is a pampered Houston rich girl who has, for her own reasons, taken to the streets. Radiating an emotional intensity that unifies the entire collection, each of Nelson's stories both captivates and unnerves. As her characters run the gauntlet of often bewildering family tensions and trauma, she alternates hope and despair, resentment and love, in perfectly recognizable proportions. Weaving wonderful observation with quick wit and striking insight, "Some Fun" is a timely and provocative inventory of the state of family in America -- and proof of why Nelson is one of the most important writers at work today.

Fun, Fun, Fun $40 Here's some energetic and rhythmic fun for your orchestra with this classic Beach Boys hit. Give your students a chance to unwind and play one of their favorite radio oldies.

Have Some Fun $15.99 Wolf Records:120300

Fun. - Some Nights $20.56 Disc 0:No track list available

Some Of It Was Fun Cl $27.25 No Synopsis Available

Wanna Have Some Fun? - Jamster! Party Bee $10 Wanna Have Some Fun? - Jamster! Party Bee - Party Bee

Bettie Page - Let's Have Some Fun $19.99 Bettie Page - Let's Have Some Fun - T-Shirt

Juniors: Bettie Page - Let's Have Some Fun $21.99 Juniors: Bettie Page - Let's Have Some Fun - T-Shirt

Some of It Was Fun: Working with RFK and LBJ $26.51 A lively, intimate memoir that vividly recalls the idealism of the Kennedy administration. As deputy attorney general under Bobby Kennedy and then attorney general and under secretary of state for Lyndon Johnson, Nicholas deB. Katzenbach offers a unique perspective on the civil rights movement, Vietnam, and other issues of the day. In this engaging memoir, by turns intensely dramatic and charmingly matter-of-fact, we are treated to a ringside seat for Katzenbach's confrontation with segregationist governor George C. Wallace over the integration of the University of Alabama, his efforts to steer the Civil Rights Act of 1964 through Congress, and then his transition to the State Department, where he served at the center of the storm over Vietnam. In the political climate of this election season, Some of It Was Fun provides a refreshing reminder of the hopes and struggles of an earlier era, speaking both to readers who came of age in the 1960s and to a generation of young people looking to that period for political inspiration.

Zachary Cooks Up Some Fun $16.47 Heartwarming and fun, this picture book tells the story of Zachary the Texas prairie dog who must save his town from his evil arch-enemies, Fernando Ferret and Bernie Badger, using intelligence, courage, and a family recipe.

I Wanna Have Some Fun $16.49 Wounded Bird Records:1150

Getting Some Fun Out Of Life $14.99 Audiophile:241

Back Up Against the Wall (If You Want Some Fun) $10 Back Up Against the Wall (If You Want Some Fun) - Rare Essence

Clues/Double Fun/Some Guys Have All The Luck $8.49 Clues/Double Fun/Some Guys Have All The Luck

Difficult Shapes And Passive Rhythms (Some People Think It's Fun To Entertain) $8.99 Difficult Shapes And Passive Rhythms (Some People Think It's Fun To Entertain)

Jumble Jambalaya: Stir Up Some Jumble Fun! $9.84 Jumble Jambalaya is a great way to give your brain a workout and have fun at the same time.

I Wanna Have Some Fun [Bonus Tracks] $13.99 Track Listing: 1. I Wanna Have Some Fun, 2. Love House, 3. Your House or My House, 4. Next To Me, 5. Ready For This Love, 6. Confession, 7. I Only Wanna Be With You, 8. You Started Something, 9. One In a Million, 10. Walking On Air, 11. Hot For You, 12. Out of Our Hands, 13. Don't Cheat On Me, 14. Lovin' Don't Grow On Trees, 15. Now I Lay Me Down [From the Motion Picture a Nightmare On Elm Street 5: the Dream Child], 16. I Wanna Have Some Fun [Extended Version], 17. Love House [the Black Pyramid Mix] - (remix), 18. I Only Wanna Be With You [Extended Mix] - (remix)

Casper & Wendy Scare Up Some Fun $4.69 Rated: NRSynopsis: A ghostly compilation of 12 classic Casper the Friendly Ghost cartoons featuring Casper's friend Wendy the Good Witch. Casper and Wendy have spooktacular fun on their adventures and Casper spends time with his friend Billy!

Vienna Boys Choir Members Having Some Fun in Dormitory $79.99 Vienna Boys Choir Members Having Some Fun in Dormitory - Premium Photographic Print

Lookin' Good: Getting Some Fun Out of... $13.99 Track Listing: 1. Brenda Starr, 1. Lotus Blosson, 2. I Would Do Anything for You, 2. Let's Eat Home, 3. Al Cohn Medley: From a to Z/Tears by Me Out the Heart/Tasty Pudding: From A To Z / Tears By Me Out The Heart / Tasty Pudding / Blues For The Highbrow / Mr. George , 3. Stevedore Stomp, 4. Matty, 4. Violet Blue, 5. Mooche, The, 5. Old Man Harlem, 6. Dear Bix, 6. I Was Ready, 7. Save It, Pretty Mama, 7. Strange Music (From "Song of Norway") - (from "Song Of Norway"), 8. Alligator Crawl, 8. Billy Strayhorn Medley: Take the "A" Train/Lotus Blossom/Raincheck: Take The "A" Train / Lotus Blossom / Raincheck / A Flower Is A Lovesome Thing / Johnny Come Lately / Something To Live For , 9. In a Mist, 9. Ship Without a Sail, A, 10. Lookin' Good, 10. Wonderful One, 11. Getting Some Fun Out of Life, 11. Underdog, The, 12. King Porter Stomp

Anglers Book Supply Co 1899600280 Some Of It Was Fun $70.11 Recently discovered never previously published these memorable tales cover Falkus life ( his amazing narrow escapes from death) in the RAF right up to his later days hunting fishing from his beloved Cragg Cottage. Beautifully illus by Scott Adkins. 135mm x 200mm 198 pgs. Recently discovered and never previously published these memorable tales were probably intended for the 2nd volume of The Stolen Years covering as they do Falkus life (and his amazing narrow escapes from death) in the RAF right up to his later days hunting fishing from his beloved Cragg Cottage.ABOUT THE AUTHOR:Hugh Falkus has written some fine books like Sea Trout Fishing Salmon Fishing and The Stolen Years. Hugh s plan was that The Stolen Years was to have been the first in a trilogy of books covering his whole life. He worked on the manuscript for the second book from time to time but did not pursue it according to that original plan. Sadly the books never materialised and the manuscript was put to one side and largely forgotten.Some of it was Fun is certainly part if not all of that lost manuscript. The discovery of this text by Anthony Desbruslais gives us all the chance to enjoy a previously unpublished selection of Falkus s writing when we thought there would be no more. Hardcover

Mouth and Tongue Let's Have Some Fun! $8.95 Learning new facial expressions and mouth movements can be great fun, just ask Sam!. Moving the tongue and mouth in different ways is an effective way of strengthening facial muscles, teaching children about emotions and encouraging speech. Children will love copying Sam and Timmy Tongue's silly faces and improve their facial strength and dexterity in the process. This simple picture book will be an invaluable resource for any parent, teacher or professional looking to encourage children to talk and laugh by making funny facial expressions.

Let's Have Some God Damn Fun $13.99 Track Listing: 1. Party Shoes - Andy G., 2. Laughing Boy - The Plungers, 3. Give It Up - The Stags, 4. Annie Can Ya Keep a Secret? - The Little Killers, 5. Evil - DC Snipers, 6. I Was Drunk When I Met Ya - Cammied Yams, 7. Baby Come Back Home - The Swaggerts, 8. Lost Weekend - Weekenders, 9. Wild Turkey Is Not a Meat - Sleazies, 10. Watchin' You - The Shop Fronts, 11. Don't Come Beggin' - The Shemps, 12. True Denial - Disruptors, 13. Secret Affair - Electric Shadows, 14. Double Cross My Heart - Some Action, 15. Fuschia - Mob Stereo, 16. Treasure Hunt - World War IX

Fun at the Beach $3.99 Fun at the Beach Embellishment Dimensional beach time fun stickers bring some pop to your scrapbooking memories. Acid and lignin free. Size is approximate. Kids, family, vacation, friends, warm days, sand castle, bucket, shovel, weekend, beach, summer

Fun Couple $2.79 Fun Couple Greeting Card Anniversary greeting card has a couple on one side of fence doing some gardening, while the couple on the other side of the fence ride pogo sticks in the nude.

Fun Fun - Best Of (Reissue) $32.77 Track Listing: One Day Hit-Mix Medley Baila Bolero Gimme Some Loving Color My Love Happy Station Capital Girl Give Me Your Love Could This Be Love Give Me Love