Fun at Work

HR Advices

• Set real goals for yourself, not just metrics to follow. One way to have more fun at work is to set tangible goals for yourself whenever you head into the office. Having long term goals that feel meaningful instead of just like you’re crunching numbers can definitely help make your workplace more fun for you. Write down your weekly work goals before you get to work on Monday, and work on setting monthly or even yearly goals. The more you have to strive toward, the more motivated you will feel.
  Believe it or not, setting goals and meeting them actually will make your work week much more fun!
• Generate positive energy. If you want your workplace to be more fun, then you have to work on being more positive. Sure, everyone loves to complain about work, but if you get into the habit of constantly complaining about work with all of your co-workers, then you’ll be heading in a downward spiral. Though it can help to vent about the things that bother you, try talking about a new innovation or co-worker you like at work for a change, and see how much this improves your level of happiness and your overall mood. Work on genuinely complimenting at least one of your coworkers each day. This can help set a positive tone to your day.
  If you catch yourself making a negative comment, try to compensate with at least two positive comments. When your coworkers complain about work, you don’t have to tell them to stop, but you can try to naturally change the subject to something more positive.

• Have a sense of humor. If you want to have fun at work, then you have to stop thinking that being professional means being serious all the time. If you take a moment to laugh at the funny things that happen at the office, to occasionally share a funny story with a coworker, or just to read a funny comic someone put on the fridge, you’ll begin to see how much more fun you’re capable of having in the workplace. If you stop seeing work as a “no fun” zone, then you’ll open yourself to endless possibilities. If your office environment is pretty fun and open, you can even play harmless pranks on your co-workers, like placing a rubber spider on their desks, once in a while. Just make sure you know them well enough for this to not send the wrong message. Learn to laugh at yourself, too. If you take yourself less seriously, you’ll be able to relax and have more fun.

• Be motivated to do your job. Being motivated to succeed can really help you have fun in the workplace. In order to be motivated, you have to not only set personal goals but to really believe in the good that your company does. (Of course, it can be a little trickier if you can’t find the good — then you may need a new strategy!) Focus on the fact that you’re helping people and producing something meaningful, and you’ll feel more motivated to work hard while having fun in the process.
  Being motivated may be easier than staying motivated. One way to stay motivated is to write a to-do list at the beginning of your work day or work week and to take satisfaction in crossing each item off the list.
  Talk to your coworkers about projects you’re really excited about. This will help you be motivated and to get excited about your work. You can even share your results with your coworkers, which will also make your job more fun.

Manager’s Office

HR & Training Dept