subject: Work And Fun [print this page] I had an interesting interaction at my local gym this morning. One of the salesmen there asked me what I was planning on doing today, and I replied, "Work out, work, have fun, you know, the usual". It was just your average chit chat, but what made me think was his response as the conversation went on. I asked, "What about you? Do you have fun plans?" He replied: "No, I have to work." I said, "Work can be fun!" He stated adamantly, no it's not, work is NEVER fun!" Of course I had to continue and say, "Work can be fun!" and with that I left to begin my work out.
As I ran on the cross trainer, I thought about the preceding conversation. How sad, I thought, that that guy thinks work is never fun. He is a salesperson at a gym, that could be a fun job. I don't really know the details that are involved in selling gym memberships or personal training, but I have a feeling that if he had a little fun, he may even be more successful at selling!
I have had jobs in the past that at I absolutely dreaded. When you reach that point at a job, when it is not fun at all, and you can't stand it, it is time to find another position. Once I finally took action to find something more appropriate for me, I did find a job that I loved, and had fun every day. Sometimes you stay at a job for security, but it is not worth the security if you are miserable all of the time. During the week days the average person spends at least one third of their time at work. One third of your life should not be spent in misery! If you can not make your job enjoyable take action and find some type of work that is!
Your attitude can go along way in making your job enjoyable. In the scenario that I mentioned with the gym salesman, it seems that if he had a better attitude, his job could be fun. If he viewed it as a game, a challenge to be the best, to sell the most memberships, or do better each day than the day before, perhaps he would consider it fun. If selling is just not his thing, he may need to get into a different field, but as long as he is there, he should make the best of it until he takes action to find a job that he does enjoy.
Your mindset is a huge part of whether you enjoy your job or not. Many of us were programmed that work was not supposed to be fun, work is work for goodness sake! If we had parents that hated their jobs but did it to provide for their families then it is ingrained in our subconscious minds that that is how it is supposed to be. I have heard of parents discouraging their children from pursuing their passions because "you can't make any money at that". How sad. Life is not meant to be spent chasing the dollar, it is meant to be cherished, lived and loved! I know in our current economic environment it is sometimes difficult to think of just doing what you love, but you can do it, millions of people do, why not you?
I encourage you to do everything in your power to make your work as enjoyable as possible, and if it continues to be a "grind", then take action, make a change and love life! I work in the field of Internet Marketing. The people in my field that are extremely successful love to have a good time, work hard but enjoy their work, and have the right mindset.
