How many times have we overhead parents telling their children to enjoy their youth because soon they will enter “the real world,” full of work, deadlines, bills and responsibilities. Why is there such a contrast between youth and adulthood? As adults, have we lost our ability to have fun, or have we just lost our perspective?
Companies like Volkswagen, Nike, Starbucks, and Walt Disney beg to differ. These companies recognize the need to foster elements of fun and play in the workplace and in daily life. Companies are realizing that incorporating these concepts into their organizations makes work enjoyable, fosters positive feelings among coworkers, relieves stress and encourages employees to work harder and be more productive.
Kevin Carroll, founder of Kevin Carroll Katalyst/LLC, is a “social change agent” and author that inspires businesses, organizations and individuals to embrace their spirit of play and creativity to maximize their human potential and sustain more meaningful business and personal growth. Kevin believes in 7 rules that allow individuals to harness their power of play that he outlines in his book Rules of the Red Rubber Ball. Among these rules, Kevin suggests finding time in your day to work your creative muscles, expect the unexpected, commit to incorporating play into your work life and seek out encouragers to help you along the way. Companies like Nike, Starbucks, Capital One and even Mattel have begun implementing these ideas into their corporate structure.
While Volkswagen realized the importance of fun internally, they wanted to project this idea into the public as a way to promote social change. The result? The Fun Theory campaign was launched. Their idea was that something as simple as fun is the easiest way to change people’s behavior for the better. They have created several scenarios accompanied by videos posted to their website, www.thefuntheory.com that proves this concept. Their most famous project was a piano staircase. They hypothesized that more people would take the subway stairs if it was a fun thing to do. Technicians installed special tiles that, when stepped on, would play the according piano key. Sure enough, 66% more people took the stairs, and not only were they avoiding escalators, they were leaving the subways with a smile on their faces. How could incorporating fun into your workday, make daily tasks more enjoyable?
Fortunately, Greystone is a company that realizes the need for fun and play into the workplace. While we haven’t installed a piano stairs into our office building or hire “social change agents” to speak at our weekly meetings, a subtle outlet for fun and play is recognized. It is not uncommon for us to pass along YouTube videos (often turning into miniature “viewing” parties). We are known for getting together outside of the office to enjoy meals, events and each other’s families. Also, we host an annual summer BBQ for clients and associates to meet and enjoy relationship outside the workplace in a relaxed and – you guessed it – FUN environment.
Finding small ways to introduce play into your work life can go a long way in changing your outlook, and may even get you excited to go to in to work every day. Don’t let deadlines, stress or responsibilities hinder you from embracing your spirit of play and allowing it to generate meaningful business and personal growth.