Why Fun is the F-Word We Could All Use Now

If you grew up being told to eat your vegetables first, it may have become embedded in your brain, perhaps even morphing into a “should” that applies to most things in life. Suffer through the hard stuff first, then have fun.

How much fun is that?! 

When Picasso said, “it took me four years to paint like Raphael, but a lifetime to paint like a child,” he was tapping into the importance of fun, curiosity, exploration — without a “goal” or “purpose.”

Consider reversing the order of “Vegetables first.” Why not have a little fun before you tackle your next difficult project, or — dare I say it — take time for fun in the middle of a time-consuming project? Couldn’t we all benefit from inserting a little fun into the day to give a much-needed break from the gravity of life’s current circumstances?

Fun is a three, not four-letter word. Not only is it OK to have fun; it’s essential. Have you ever seen the saying, “Don’t Postpone Joy”?

Having fun is like a palate cleanser for your mind, helping you prepare for the next course with a fresh perspective. To boost your creativity. To help you cultivate resilience.

Related: Are You More Resilient Than You Think?

Turning Fun into Flow

Everyone defines “fun” differently. It doesn’t have to be elaborate or grandiose, like taking sky-diving lessons. Get creative as you explore what’s fun for you. Do you enjoy gardening? Trying a new workout, dance, or yoga video? Watching a great live concert, comedy act, or movie on Netflix or YouTube?  Playing a quick word game, puzzle, or Solitaire? Drawing or painting?

In Flow: The Psychology of Optimal Experience, psychologist and author Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi describes flow as “the state in which people are so involved in an activity that nothing else seems to matter; the experience itself is so enjoyable that people will do it even at great cost, for the sheer sake of doing it.

“Whenever the goal is to improve the quality of life, the flow theory can point the way,” he adds, highlighting its ability to inspire creative solutions, innovate products and generate new ideas.

Fun often turns into flow, affirming the importance of play. 

You Create Your Future

What do you do when you’re watching a TV show or online video that doesn’t grab you, or pulls you down? You change the channel, make another choice.

The same goes for your mindset during a job search. Don’t like how you’re feeling? How can you best change the channel from feeling discouraged to feeling hopeful and empowered? Sometimes all it takes is a tiny tweak or two in your thinking.

Let’s say you had what you thought was a great interview, but find out that you didn’t get the job. 

·     You could take a defeatist approach:

I didn’t hear back after the interview.

They probably hired someone else, someone better.

I’m a loser. No one will ever hire me.

·      But what if you shifted your mindset to something like this:

I didn’t hear back after the interview.

Maybe they thought I wasn’t a good fit.

Or maybe they haven’t decided yet; I don’t know.

I’m going to follow up to inquire, remind them of my value (whether now or down the road), and build the relationship.

And, I’m excited to explore what else is out there!

Which sounds more fun to you?

Reframing your explanation (“I’m a loser” vs. “Maybe they thought I wasn’t a good fit.”) along with your conclusion (“No one will ever hire me” vs. “I’m going to follow up, and I’m excited to see what else is out there”) can make all the difference. Not only in your mindset, but your results.

There’s always room to create the path to what you want. Sometimes you need help detouring around a black hole. Fun can be a stepping stone to get (and keep) you on that path to your future. And a reminder not to take everything personally.

Give Yourself Permission to Have Fun

In order to reap the benefits of fun, the first step is to give yourself permission to have some. Like, maybe even five minutes from now. Or if that’s not doable, how about in the next 24 hours?

Related: The Secret to Self-Care: Give Yourself Permission

“Job search” and “fun” aren’t mutually exclusive. In fact, we wholeheartedly believe that infusing a little fun into your days can energize your job search. It doesn’t mean you’re slacking off, not giving your search the attention it needs. Remember recess? It was fun, necessary, and allowed you to better focus during class.

So take a fun break. You choose what that might be. Even a walk around the block helps. 

If you’re an uberachiever and worry that having fun will lead you too far off course, try this approach*:

·      Promise yourself that you’ll commit to accomplishing six tasks per day.

·      Choose three that demand greater focus and attention, and three that require less time and energy.

·      Write them down.

·      Cross the tasks off your list as you complete them.  

*based on the Lee Ivy method of achieving peak productivity

It sounds simple, and it is. By setting parameters around your intentions, you create a roadmap for your day. Only you know if you’re the type that needs to drive straight through to your destination, or if stopping along the way for a treat (did someone say ice cream??) fuels your energy for the rest of the trip.  

Expect the unexpected to pop up. Be flexible with and willing to adjust your plans for the day. No one lives in a bubble – especially in the middle of a job search.

Regardless of when and how you take time for fun, crossing to-do’s off your daily list frees you up to be a human being, ready to dive into some fun.

And that’s the true essence of life working.

Nobody aspires to be a job seeker.
We’re here to make the process manageable, and whenever possible, fun, too.
Learn more about our Career Coaching services.

Career Coaching | Life Working® | Chicago

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