Productivity and creativity are two of the major benefits of using your sense of humor. How and why does this work? When we are stressed and tense we cannot think clearly or be at our best. Minimizing that stress and tension brings us back to peak performance levels. Clearly, it puts us in a better mood. That new spirit, generated by our own joy of fun and humor, whether from external sources or evolved on our own, sends us back to work much more focused and more productive – which usually leads to becoming more profitable! By the way, this greater level of productivity will also, in time, do much to enhance our self-confidence and self- esteem. Additionally, whenever we put humor or fun into our minds, we are more easily able to think at a higher level of creativity. Studies have shown this statement to be true time and again. We can use our creative ideas to resolve the stressful issues we face, and we can use them to improve our lives and businesses. Humor in the workplace is most assuredly fun, but it is not just for fun’s sake! Statistics show that when humor is present at work, productivity, job satisfaction, morale and employee loyalty increase. In fact, one study indicated that humor workshops could increase productivity by 15 percent and cut sick days in half!
Feel confident in your ability to minimize your day-to-day stress and reap the rewards. A desire to achieve the end result of adding positive humor to your life is an important first step. Believe in the power of your inner sense of humor and experience the outcome. This belief is often all it takes to motivate yourself to develop the habits of humor to improve your life! In this way, you can see that attitude is very important. Many will read this article and think “ OK, this sounds good, but it won’t really make a big difference for me. If it was that easy, why. . . . . . .?” You’ve all had those thoughts from time to time about various new ideas and approaches you’ve explored. However, those with the right attitude, those who are willing to give this a try, especially in cases where there’s nothing to lose and, at the very least, a few laughs to gain, those are the ones who will truly benefit long term. Develop a positive attitude about humor and make it work for you. Remembering how wonderful you feel when you’re having fun should show you that some properly placed and strategically timed fun can change everything for the better. You can make it happen if you begin with the right outlook and an open mind. Take even a small step in the right direction and you’ll see these things begin – especially those of you who need a little more convincing.
“ Input equals output.” “You are what you eat.” “Whether you can or cannot, you’re probably right.” All are wise sayings and all relate to who we are or who we think we are. We generally tend to believe those things about our behavior and ourselves that are repeatedly told to us. Our minds then react according to the thoughts and comments fed to us time and time again. Input equals output. How often have we, as children, heard things like “ Stop all that childish laughter.” or “Quit that laughing and grow up?” Maybe we’ve heard that often enough as children so that we actually believe, as adults, that too much fun and laughter is a sign of immaturity or childishness. This belief, very simply, is not true. Fun and laughter surely can serve us in many positive ways as long as we remember two very special rules. Rule #1: No one may get hurt in any way while we’re having our fun. Rule #2: As adults, we must remain productive and responsible even while we’re having our fun. As long as we remember and obey these guidelines, then we can surely have all of the fun we want, whenever we want.
When did we forget to have fun and instead, solemnly pursue our careers? Why can’t fun and career development go together? They can! Please do not convey the previously mentioned ill-conceived, negative message of laughter to any children you know and, as we further explore the value of humor in our adult lives, please put those old thoughts out of your mind. Consider that your mind is like a parachute, in that it works best when it is open. Open-mindedly explore the benefits of humor and laughter, and you’ll find that your mind really reacts to the thoughts fed into it. Cheerfulness and a more positive outlook are generally the two most immediate side effects of learning to use your sense of humor. In addition, we tend to deal better with other people and often find that we’re suddenly more in demand. Our new outlook on things that generally cause stress and frustration makes a remarkable, noticeable difference to us and to those with whom we come in contact at work and in our personal lives. We enjoy the fun (who doesn’t ?) and begin to have more fun doing so many of the things that used to seem mundane and boring, even frustrating. You see, we begin to approach these activities with a new outlook and attitude, making us more efficient, more productive and more successful – not to mention the health benefits that come along with minimizing our day-to-day stress.
Good luck and REMEMBER TO HAVE FUN!
Barry Roberts, a humorist, helps businesses achieve maximum profitability and productivity by reducing stress and developing innovative thinking skills. His keynotes and educational seminars are sought out throughout the USA and Canada. For more information and a sampling of his book, Practice Safe Stress, visit www.BarryRoberts.com.
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