It’s in our human nature (for most people) to enjoy fun things. Fun should not be limited to a few hours on the weekend. We must find a way to enjoy every aspect of life (even work!). This doesn’t mean to force smiles and giggles at a funeral. That can just be creepy. I’m referring to the activities of everyday life — working, interacting with family, running errands. It’s the often overlooked activities that could be injected with a shot of fun juice.
Let’s talk about work. Are you sure that crappy job is the best thing for you? If you can’t walk into your workplace with a smile, you must reconsider if it’s the place you need to be. Let’s turn the tables though. Are YOU the issue? If everyone else seems to enjoy themselves at work and you’re the consistent party-pooper, then you might be due for an attitude or perspective adjustment.
If you’re the person that ‘honks’ your horn at the driver in front of you .5 seconds after the light turns green, that’s a tell about your brand. If you’re the aggressive jogger that’ll push a kid out the way in order to make your time, that’s a tell about your brand. If you’re the colleague that will let a fellow employee skip you in the cafeteria if it seems like they’re in a serious rush, that’s a good tell about your brand. If you’re one of the first two examples, you need to lighten up and consider the impact of your actions. As mentioned in my recent “13 Crucial Personal Branding Tips” post, people judge and measure you based on their experiences with you. The experience could take place over a day or in four seconds. We’re not always afforded a long period of time to make positive impressions so go for fun and civility at every moment.
Sir Richard Branson, founder of the Virgin Group, is one of the best examples of a person with a fun brand. He’s the master of the nutty press moment:
Jumping off a building isn’t for everyone (I won’t be signing up any time soon), but Branson gets it and seemingly tries to enjoy every aspect of life. His story is amazing. Check out his book *Business Stripped Bare and try to have 1% of the fun this fellow has in life. It pays.
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