Have FUN & Enjoy My Job
By Joan Endicott
“You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes.
You can steer yourself, any direction you choose.”
~Dr. Seuss
Humor is one of the most important ingredients for having a balanced perspective. Without it, we start taking ourselves too seriously and forget to enjoy this journey we call life.
For years, psychological and medical professionals have proven the benefits of a good sense of humor and laughter. Norman Cousins (editor and writer 1915-1990), a pioneer in laughter research, said, “Laughter is an antidote to apprehension and panic—it creates a mood in which the other positive emotions can be put to work, too. When you laugh, you are more likely to see the bright side of a situation and to have a more positive outlook, which ultimately promotes healing.”
For businesses, these benefits clearly help reduce absenteeism, sick days, stress at work, and the stresses people take home from work. Some of my best memories are working with people who encourage fun and laughter to be part of their culture at work. Bob McDonagh, owner of two businesses I’ve worked with, has been a business role model to me for over twenty-five years. He will forever be one of my best examples of keeping a balance at work—doing a top quality job while having fun in the process. Bob’s been known to help employees cool off on hot days by enthusiastically starting water fights in the parking lot (or snow ball fights in winter), putting “for sale” signs on employees’ cars, wearing goofy get-ups, leaving secret “gag-gifts” on desks, etc.
He and I would go back and forth with practical jokes. After my friend and coworker, Bonnie, and I decorated his truck with “Just Married” signs and paraphernalia, he came up with quite an elaborate scheme. This particular event took place when I was about eight-and-a-half months pregnant with my first child.
As is the case with most pregnant women, I needed to use the restroom as soon as I got to work each morning. To get to the women’s restroom, you walked through the business office, which was a large open area housing several team members’ work areas. As was normal, I would greet everyone for the day while going through the office. This particular morning, everyone seemed especially cheerful. After going into the bathroom stall and assuming the appropriate position, all of a sudden over a loudspeaker (that had been wired into the bathroom the night before), the National Anthem begins playing. Then I hear Bob’s booming voice on the recording say, “It’s bad enough that you have such little respect for your boss, but the fact that you won’t even stand when the National Anthem is being played is just unbelievable.” After I busted a gut—literally, I could hear through the wall, the entire office doing the same.
Some businesses not only don’t make it fun for customers, they have negative signs all over the place, creating an unwelcome setting. As the customers enter, they warn about all the don’ts. They have no public restrooms and to keep track of your kids or don’t come in.
Instead of the negative approach, we get to look for ways to use humor to get the same message across. I loved the sign I saw at the entrance of a particular store restroom area that read, Unattended children will be given an espresso and a free puppy. I laughed and then actually looked around to see what kind of puppy it was to see if it’d be worth it.
Laughter is the most beautiful and beneficial therapy God ever granted humanity.
~ Chuck Swindoll
Award-Winning Speaker, Giant-Slaying Coach Joan Endicott works with individuals and organizations frustrated with the GIANTS standing in their way of high performance, productivity and profit increases. If you are ready to move from ruts and routines into inspired action, need a world-class speaker for your next event, or want to order empowering “I Get To!”® Resources, contact us today! www.JoanEndicott.com or
(208) 453-8056