From the course: Time Management Tips

Make time to have fun

From the course: Time Management Tips

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Make time to have fun

- Are you having enough fun in your work day? In my experience with working with leaders around the world, I find that very few take enough time. Fun is, in fact, a key to success. Consider some studies that I discovered as I was creating my book, The Power of Having Fun. The Energy Project and Harvard Business Review found that when someone took a little time to do something fun and relaxing, at least three times per day, it helped them be more focused, creative and healthy at work. Yet, less than 10% of workers do so. A study by Project: Time Off found that those who used at least 11 vacation days per year, are more likely to get a raise and promoted at work, than those who take 10 days or less. Yet 55% of all Americans fail to use all their vacation days. Children, when given more breaks for recess, were determined by the Texas Christian University Linked project to be better able to pay attention in class, with fewer behavioral problems. Yet, many schools are reducing or altogether removing recess. The benefits extend beyond just work. A report by the National Marriage Project, found that married couples that go on at least one date every week, are three times more likely to report improved marital happiness, better communication, and better satisfaction in the bedroom than those who don't. Yet, a Redbook magazine survey found a mere 18% of couples go out around once per month. And there is a workplace benefit as well. Companies that place an emphasis on having fun, are more likely thought of as great places to work, according to Fortune's Great Places to Work institute study. Yet, not enough companies consider having fun a necessary part of their strategy. Having fun should be a top priority, an essential part of your schedule. It adds life and joy to all of this accomplishment and productivity and getting stuff done, that we're so busy doing. Now, I can't cover a detailed book in a short video like this. Yet, I can give you one experiment to try for two weeks. First, choose one activity that you find enjoyable. Not what you think other people would want you to do, and not even what you think you should do. Instead, choose something that you would like to do, just for fun. It can be active, like running or shadowboxing. Or, it can be passive like watching videos on Netflix. Personally, one activity I like to do, for 30 minutes on a daily basis, is play video games. Once you've chosen your activity, schedule time every single day for that activity, around 20 to 30 minutes of time. Make this is a recurring appointment in your calendar. If you can't start this week, start next week. Then, experiment for the next two weeks on a consistent basis, keeping that time. Don't let anything get in the way. Pay attention to what happens to your attitude about life and your career. Evaluate what happens to your energy levels at work. If you try this experiment, I believe that you will find what many of my coaching clients have found: having fun boosts your energy throughout the day, and gives you greater ability to perform at your best. If you want to be a success, don't sacrifice having fun. Instead, sacrifice a little work time to have fun. Then, when you go back to work, everything you do, will be more successful.

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