Aurelia Flores: Having Fun at Work (I Know You Do!)

SINGAPORE - NOVEMBER 12: Australia's Minister for Trade Simon Findlay Crean (L) laughs with Minister of the Chinese Ministry of Commerce Chen Deming during the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation Ministers meeting at Suntec Singapore International Convention & Exhibition Centre on November 12, 2009 in Singapore. APEC 2009 brings over 800 of the world's top business leaders and 15 world leaders to Singapore, with the two-day Summit addressing the economic crisis and key global issues.. (Photo by Victor Fraile/Getty Images) (2009 Getty Images)

We spend more time at the workplace than any other single location in our lives, other than in our beds, sleeping.

So it makes sense that we should have fun at work, and we do! While you don’t want to be seen as a ‘goof off' or someone who doesn’t take their work seriously, a healthy dose of levity is just fine.

Having fun means finding the simple joys in our everyday work life – whether that means telling a joke, being silly, seeing beauty, finding camaraderie, or whatever it is that allows us to better appreciate our day.

But sometimes we forget we are actually having fun, so I encourage you to take note of what you do to enjoy your day, and add to it!

Telling Jokes

Share the latest (clean) jokes with your colleagues. Ask them about recent ones they've heard, and be open to sharing a chiste.

Sometimes telling jokes may mean sharing a funny video or picture, or even laughing together at the latest harmless mistake you made, such as a humorous typo in an email, or some such thing.

Finding the Silly

Outside of deliberate jokes, allowing yourself to see the humorous side of the workplace can be fun. Sometimes the things we think are so serious end up being ridiculous, and it can be good to just lighten up.

Think about what you can approach from a different angle, and how the day to day tasks that come across your desk might be able to make you laugh.

Not only does being silly make us laugh, it helps us bond, and helps to relieve tension at work.

See the Beauty

One of the things that brings us pleasure is finding something that is aesthetically pleasing. Maybe someone brought in a bouquet of flowers, or has a lovely new outfit, or you see an expansive view of the outdoors.

Maybe someone brought in food to share, is wearing a nice cologne, or is playing some lively music.

Whatever it is that your senses can appreciate, share that beauty with your co-workers, or just enjoy it yourself.

This can be a little lift to your day.

Finding Confidantes

Having fun at work may be extra special when shared with one or a few close work friends. Maybe the silliness is something you don’t want everyone to know, but you can share it with a few.

Perhaps the joke is one your son or daughter told you, or something they did. Find close friends and people you can share with at work, and this is part of the fun.

Or maybe just sharing what happened over the weekend, talking about the latest news, or going to lunch together, can deepen the friendship and help you enjoy your day.

Having a good time at work is an important part of our careers and work life. It makes us happier, more productive workers.  But not only that, it also connects us.  When we’re able to have fun, and bring others along with us, it makes the workplace a much better place to be – for all of us.

Since I know you already do most or all of the above, make sure to take the time to notice it, and appreciate the fun you’re having in those small moments. And think about how you can continue to add to the things that lift you up.

How do you have fun at work?