Unbalanced? Fun at Work Will Set You Straight

Barb Wold

Are you leaving the fun and playful part of your personality at the front door of the store each day? For many, work is a place to be serious -- fun happens on vacation and away from work. We need to accept fun and understand it as another element of the workplace.

Fun increases productivity
Research shows that coworkers who learn how to have fun together increase productivity and performance by welcoming spontaneity. People learn when they are having fun. They will take work seriously, but lighten up on life.

Laughing reduces stress
Laughter is a natural stress buster and fun is meant to be part of your life. Learn how to comfortably blend work and fun.

Acting silly requires maturity
When you think of great leaders, they all had a great sense of humor. A person who can do a serious job and not take themselves too seriously is very mature.

Fun is a "natural social glue"
Groups that can have fun together are more relaxed, interact better and are more comfortable with each other when problems need to be worked out.

Having fun gets the job done
Fun is not the reward, it's the lubricant that gets things done easily and effectively. Make fun a regular part of your daily routine.

Have fun with your customers
Your customers will have fun shopping with you and will return more often. Notice that all the new and successful retail concepts are centered around interaction and fun.

Copyright 2006. Reprinted with permission from Barbara Wold's Retail & Consumer Tips, bwold@ix.netcom.com.