The Eastern Way: Fundamental #29 – “Keeping things fun”

This fundamental was written by Benjamin Davis. Ben has been with the company since 2014 as a documentation specialist. Ben served in the military for four years, where he was a sergeant in the Army, and returned to continue his education and career in financing. Ben is currently enrolled at Montclair State University in New Jersey.

The Eastern Way: Fundamental #29 – “Keeping things fun.” Remember that the world has bigger problems than the daily challenges that make up our work. Don’t take yourself too seriously. Joy and laughter bring us closer together and make us look forward to coming to work each day. LAUGH EVERY DAY.

Those of you who know me already know that I enjoy having fun. I believe that keeping things fun in the work place creates a better workflow between employees. I believe it does this by enhancing communication among each other while building and strengthening the team. This is why I believe that you should always try to keep thing fun at work. I am not saying that you should slack off or be a complete clown, but a certain amount of fun will bring us all together, all while building morale and boosting productivity.

When I was a child having fun was all I wanted to do. However, as I started to grow up, society started to convey this idea that as I grow up and become an adult I am supposed to become more serious; work and play must somehow become separated. However, these two ideas aren’t exactly true. The opposite of play isn’t work, it’s depression. This is why I believe you must always keep things fun.

People spend more and more of their time working, so we want to make the most of it by having a great time while we are at work. In addition, everyone wants to learn to think outside the box, yet most people still operate inside of it because they can’t tap into the creativity waiting within. However, by allowing fun in the work place, we are fostering this creativity, while at the same time reducing stress.

Here is just a little list of fun things you can do to help keep your workplace fun:

• Invite a new co-worker out to lunch
• Go out for drinks
• Find an awesome joke online, memorize it and tell it to everyone
• Give a friendly wink or smile to someone that you know
• Make everyone gather for a group photo
• Compliment everyone that you interact with
• Ask five people how they are feeling (and really listen)
• Stretch at your desk for five minutes, to get yourself together
• Laugh at yourself, DAILY
• Celebrate birthdays and tailor it to their likes
• Create a company song

So in conclusion, keeping things fun in the workplace isn’t just about having a good time and enjoying yourself at work, but allowing everyone else to do the same as well – all of this while reducing stress and depression, building morale, inspiring creativity and improving productivity.

Thanks,
Ben Davis