23 Ways to be Happy at Work: #4 - Work Can be Play

Do you have fun at work?

by Lori Grant

Careers , Jobs Indonesia, Indonesia Vacancy

Work can be fun? Really?!?

Yes, it can be. If you think about it, fun is an activity that’s enjoyable or amusing. Surely, there’s something at work that’s fun for you. In my last job, my executive team meetings were always fun. Yes, there were some meetings that were stressful. But most of the time, I enjoyed the company of the team. I admired each member’s contribution, wondering why we worked so well together. Of course, there were a few bumps along the way, but that’s to be expected.

I always looked forward to Friday mornings for this 10:00 am meeting. What do I miss the most? The camaraderie with my colleagues. I had the most fun when we were brainstorming or creativity thinking our way out of problems. The second thing I most fun thing I miss? Working with my direct reports as I shared my experiences and knowledge with them on projects that relied on my product marketing background. 

List the reasons why work is play for you

Make a list of the reasons why work is play for you at your current job. Is it because you enjoy working with your teammates? What aspects of your job is play to you? Is it because of the product you manage or the clients you get to work with? Is it fun because of the people or tasks? How can you do more of the same, allowing you to have more fun at work? Are there some aspects that feel more like play than work? 

List the reasons why work isn’t play for you

Make a list of the reasons why work isn’t play for you, like an unproductive weekly department meeting or a 1-on-1 meeting with your boss. Having a hard time coming up with fun things at your job? What can you do to make changes? Or is it the job that you’re ready to quit? Try to figure out how to make work play; it’s one simple step toward being happier at work

The 23 Ways to be Happy at Work series reflects on 23 ways to help you reflect about the course of your career. After deciding to identify what made me happy at work, my list became this list. Here the are the drivers to my happiness at work that may help you manage your career:

1. Work by your values
2. Love your work, love your career
3. Decide what makes you happy in your job
4. Work can be play
5. Know the big picture
6. Walk in your boss’ shoes
7. What is the problem?
8. Try the same old thing to get different results
9. Try something new to get different results
10. List your accomplishments
11. Don’t gossip
12. Don’t react
13. Don’t worry
14. Don’t be unhealthy
15. Read up
16. Read It
17. Share knowledge
18. Mend fences
19. Be a squirrel
20. Change your workspace
21. Give yourself a gift
22. Let it go
23. Change this!