Hey, Are You Having Fun – Yet?
Updated: Jul 16, 2024
Ken Keis, Ph.D., is a leading global authority on behavioral (personality) assessment strategies and an expert in leadership, purpose, and wellness. He is the President and CEO of Consulting Resource Group International, Inc. (CRG) which has served thousands of organizations worldwide.
Look around you. Does it feel like the fun has been drained out of life? Sometimes we take ourselves so seriously that we forget to enjoy the ride.
"Never put off till tomorrow, the fun you can have today." — Aldous Huxley
Fun is about finding joy and amusement in everyday moments. So, let's dive into this article with fun in mind.
"People rarely succeed unless they have fun in what they are doing." — Andrew Carnegie
Sure, there are serious moments when laughter isn’t appropriate, but if fun never finds its way into your day, you might notice fewer smiles and fewer friends than you deserve.
"In high school, I was the class comedian as opposed to the class clown. The difference is, the class clown is the guy who drops his pants at the football game; the class comedian is the guy who talked him into it." — Billy Crystal
If I called your friends and colleagues right now, what would they say about your Fun Factor? Are you enjoying life, or are you stuck in a perpetual sour-prune juice face?
We should inject fun into all areas of our life — work, home, relationships, hobbies. Where could you use more fun?
Take our office, for example. At CRG, amidst deadlines and high stakes, we’ve mastered the art of not taking ourselves too seriously. A few years back, my team orchestrated a prank where they faked a server data loss. It scared me witless for a few minutes, but the laughter that followed was priceless and yes, I deducted their planning time from their pay!
"The IQ and the life expectancy of the average American recently passed each other going in opposite directions." — George Carlin
There's scientific proof that humor and fun improve your health. Norman Cousins, in his book The Anatomy of an Illness, healed himself by watching Three Stooges movies in the hospital. Laughing releases endorphins that boost your immune system. Ever laughed so hard it hurt? That's the magic of fun.
"My doctor gave me six months to live, but when I couldn't pay the bill, he gave me six months more." — Walter Matthau
I urge you to infuse fun and enjoyment into your life. Amidst my busy schedule building CRG, I realized I needed more fun with my family. What about you?
Think back to the Pink Panther movies with Inspector Clouseau. He hired a martial arts expert to surprise him without warning. Maybe you can spice things up in your life too.
You don’t have to do what I’ve suggested, just get with the program of enjoying yourself and having fun.
Take it from Montreal’s Just for Laughs Comedy Festival, born over four decades ago against all odds. Laughter is universal.
Here are 10 steps to having fun and enjoying life
Are you fun to be around? Ask your closest friends.
Are you having fun at work, at home, and in your leisure? If not, what needs to change?
Lighten up! Life’s too short to be serious all the time.
Take life seriously, but not yourself.
This week, do something that makes you laugh — watch a funny movie, visit a comedy club, or invite friends who crack you up.
Schedule fun activities. No guilt trips allowed.
Share your Fun Factor. Become a Fun Master for others.
If you can’t have fun or aren’t enjoyable to be with, limit your interaction with others.
Did Question 8 ruffle your feathers? If so, you failed the fun test. Start over and lighten up.
If you’re reading this, you passed the test. Congrats! Now, are you having fun yet?
To have fun, you need to be living On Purpose. Consider our ecourse, The Quest For Purpose, to level up.
"My doctor recently told me jogging could add years to my life. I think he was right. I feel 10 years older already." — Milton Berle
Until next time, keep Living On Purpose!
Read more Dr. Ken Keis
Dr. Ken Keis, Expert Leadership, Wellness, Personality, Purpose
Ken Keis, Ph.D., is a leading global authority on behavioral (personality) assessment strategies and an expert in leadership, purpose, and wellness. He is the President and CEO of Consulting Resource Group International, Inc. (CRG) which has served thousands of organizations worldwide. With over 4 million words of content authored, including 4 books and a dozen assessments, Dr. Keis is also a respected author, speaker, trainer, and media guest His latest books include: Why Aren't You More Like Me?, Deliberate Leadership, and The Quest For Purpose. An engaging public speaker, Dr. Keis has conducted over 3,000 presentations and 10,000 hours of coaching and consulting.
