Making Work Fun!
August 23rd, 2007 by Dave Cheong
Wow! I can’t believe it has been so long since I last posted on this blog. Rest assured, dear readers, I have not abandoned you. I’m as energetic as ever, but unfortunately the commitments of work has again gotten in the way of everything else.
Including this blog, but most notably fun and leisure!
A couple of months ago, I started at a new client side. Because the client is new, environment is different, technology and type of work unfamiliar, I’ve had to work extra hard to get things done with my usual tenacity and productivity. Although the road has been bumpy and steep, I’ve kept my head up and have persevered through the tough times.
That’s all good, but I miss the fun times!
So how do we make work fun? Well, you can do it like my friend, who at this very moment is running rampant about Sydney doing a massive treasure hunt! From what I read on this blog, the folks at Atlassian are having a great time on their ‘Cutlassian Pirate’ day - having dressed up as pirates, kicked out of the Google offices and generally causing mayham! All I have to say to him is go Team Yarrr!
Those guys at Atlassian sure know how to have fun.
Why aren’t other companies like this? In all seriousness, most of us spend at least 40 hours at the “office”. Given that this is a significant portion of our week, why can’t it be more fun? There shouldn’t be any reason whatsoever.
So, what can we do to make work a place in which we look forward to going? For the budding entrepreneurs out there, here are some initial thoughts.
- Employees need to know they are working on worthwhile things
- Employees need to know they are appreciated
- Employees need to receive compliments on their work
- Employees need to know their input and opinion is valued
- Employees need to know their work makes a difference
- Employees need to have work which is interesting and challenging
- Employees need to feel they are learning and growing
- Employees need to feel they are making progress in their career
- Employees need to be fairly remunerated for their work
- Employees need timeout - treasure hunt anyone?
In many ways, our employers dictate how happy we are at work. A fun workplace could instigate treasure hunts, morning teas, dinners to celebrate project milestones etc. While this may be true in some instances, it’s not a very nice way of living and thinking.
I subscribe to the belief that we make our own fun and happiness. Two people working at the same place, doing the same thing could have totally different viewpoints on how much they enjoy their work. In the end, we have the freedom to choose how we perceive things. Instead of looking at the negatives, try to look for the positives. Instead of looking for problems, try to look for opportunities. Instead of feeling sorry for ourselves, try to look for constructive solutions.
Ask yourself, Are you a happy employee? If not, what can you do about it?
I’m interested to hear about what your workplaces are like, especially if you have had problems and have found ways to overcome them. Leave a comment.
Oh, and good luck Team Yarrr.
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August 26th, 2007 at 4:40 am
[…] Having fun in the workplace seems like a oxymoron. However, engineer Dave Cheong postulates that having fun at your place of work is not only good for team building, but it makes for more productivity. There are many ways that employers can make the office a bit more enjoyable; appreciation for work well done, compliments where compliments are due, etc. Work doesn’t have to be one big party, but a little bit of par-tay can sure make the workday go more smoothly. Are you a happy worker bee? Tell us why or why not in the comments. Making Work Fun! [Dave Cheong] […]
August 26th, 2007 at 7:15 am
morale in the workplace is very much influenced on the bosses or managers that are present. i’ve worked in places where the atmosphere is so cold and negative because of the moods and the superfluous rules that can be traced back to the people in charge. if you have a friendly, relaxed boss who understands that jokes, non-work chatter (and in the above case, treasure hunts!) means we are not avoiding work, but making work fun so that we enjoy turning up in the morning!
good article, welcome back
August 26th, 2007 at 11:53 am
[…] Office Culture: Can You Make Work Fun? August 25th, 2007 by Kolz Having fun in the workplace seems like a oxymoron. However, engineer Dave Cheong postulates that having fun at your place of work is not only good for team building, but it makes for more productivity. There are many ways that employers can make the office a bit more enjoyable; appreciation for work well done, compliments where compliments are due, etc. Work doesn’t have to be one big party, but a little bit of par-tay can sure make the workday go more smoothly. Are you a happy worker bee? Tell us why or why not in the comments. Making Work Fun! [Dave Cheong] […]
August 26th, 2007 at 1:34 pm
I work in a psych unit, my work is forever fun and interesting.
August 26th, 2007 at 1:41 pm
I don’t necessarily want work to be a “fun” place. I want the workplace to be productive and respectful so that there is some time for a bit of goofing off or being laid back.
If the workplace is mostly functional, organized-fun can be a positive thing I suppose, but if the organization is dysfunctional, I find organized fun intolerable.
I remember one company meeting where someone came up with the idea that each person would make sock puppets then divide into groups to give presentations using the puppets. I know some people loved it, but I had to talk myself down from killing myself.
August 26th, 2007 at 4:26 pm
How sad is this? I just went through your bulleted list of things that make a workplace fun and there were about one and a half things that are true for my workplace. I’ve known my work environment has been bad for a while, but not until I saw this list of things that make a good work environment have I so clearly seen what’s wrong with mine.
August 26th, 2007 at 10:10 pm
Hi Andrew,
Thanks for the comment and it’s good to be back!
Sometimes, because of the nature of my work as a contractor, I get the feeling that I always have to be producing and actively contributing some value for my employer. Whenever I’m not, I feel guilty. It doesn’t matter if everyone else is slacking off, what matters is *I’m* slacking off.
Upon reflection, it’s tough to feel like part of the”team”, when I know I’m only a temp, hired to fix a specific problem and moving on when I’m done. For me though, I won’t say I’ve work at places where the atmosphere is “cold” but I’ve definitely work at places where I felt guilty taking time off to go to the toilet!
Most workplaces just aren’t fun or very hospitable.
It’s funny to think that when we invite people to visit our homes, we try to make them feel as comfortable as possible. Yet, we don’t do the same when we have external folks come in to our workplace to do something for us.
That’s fruit for thought.
August 26th, 2007 at 10:15 pm
Hi Patrick,
Great comment! I agree that there’s a time for fun and time for work. I certainly don’t want the fun to get in the way of work, especially when managers instigate “fun” activities for the sake of it.
Managers that do so are ineffective because not only do they waste everybody’s time with superfluous activities and rules, they also alienate themselves from the people they are managing. I also believe that overtime, this disconnect leads to a breakdown in communication and affects their ability to lead.
Having said that though, well placed team building activities and workplace fun can be effective in breaking barriers down, getting team members to function better together etc.
Maybe the tricky balance is not fun or no fun, but the correct application of it.
Thanks for the comment.
dave
August 26th, 2007 at 11:49 pm
LOL @ Psych
Great article, I also subscribe to the philosophy that we make our own fun and happiness. Even with the most difficult working conditions, if you have humor with it and a group of great people, work can still be fun.
Thanks for the article Dave
August 27th, 2007 at 12:23 am
I would say my workplace is extremely fun. We laugh a lot, we enjoy meals together a lot and we, for the most part, all really enjoy our jobs and each other.
I think the biggest factor is my boss. She is an extremely hard worker and she works us all extremely hard, but she’s loud and funny and loves to have a good time. She often says she feels like we’re a bunch of kids running the show, and she sometimes worries that the adults are going to show up and ruin our fun.
We’re an extremely productive office–we def. get the job done. But am very appreciative of the fact that we get it done while having a lot of fun.
August 27th, 2007 at 3:20 am
Nerf guns. Everyone in the office is aware of their daily use, nobody ever aims for the face, and nearly everyone has one.
Post-lunch slump? Go to the office next door and “kill” a co-worker. The ensuing fire-fight pumps you up with adrenaline, makes you laugh and is loads of fun.
Within ten minutes everyone’s back at their desks, doing their work and having a great day. I love my job.
August 27th, 2007 at 3:34 am
I totally agreed that the office environment are dictated by the boss and managers. If you are in the environment where your boss and managers are rude and have no respect towards other people, you will see the rest of the staff will behave the same towards their own colleagues, suppliers, vendors and etc. You will see those who can’t live in that kind of environment will leave the company while those who behave like their superior will carry on staying there. The worst part is, this are the people who usually can’t perform!
I believe things need to start from the top and you will see it slowly flow down to all level. As a boss or managers, you must not only able to identify good worker, but you must also identify those trouble worker. Good worker will bring happiness not only to the company, but to their colleagues also, while the bad worker will be the virus which need to be clear off asap.
But at the end of the day, both party, the employee and employer need to play their part, but very often I see employee tend to expect a lot.
Completing your work on time and doing a good work does not guarantee you anything, do remember that is what you are paid for, to do the work and do it well. Employee must learn how to contribute beyond their own responsibility.
At the end of the day, it is you who decide if the place is fun or not. Once you start to get tired of the place, nothing happen within the environment will change you. You will always have the negative felling to everything being done by your boss or managers. When that time come, it is best that you leave the company as you are now a virus to the company.
August 27th, 2007 at 9:16 am
Hi Carl,
Thanks for the comment and I’m glad to read at least one other person believe in self-driven happiness.
It’s very strange (yet commmon) for me to come across people whose happiness is driven by others around them. Whether it be their bosses, fellow work colleagues, the guy sitting next to them on the train etc.
Personally, I’d rather take control of my life and dictate my own happiness. This way, I get to control how I feel and minimise the effect of external factors.
Good on you.
dave
August 27th, 2007 at 9:23 am
Chad,
Sorry to read that work is no fun for you and that there’s just so many things wrong with it.
From the receiving end, many people think this is ok. Maybe it’s because of our financial commitments or how desperate we need a particular job, that we feel it is ok for others to treat us badly or we have to tolerate a bad workplace.
I hope this isn’t the case with you and that you have the option to change things, make it better or leave for green pastures.
dave
dave
August 27th, 2007 at 9:24 am
Hi Melissa,
Sounds like you have the dream job! Productivity plus Fun plus Employee Satisfaction is the tri-factor of dream jobs.
The rest of us are very envious.
dave
August 27th, 2007 at 9:54 am
Mr Boliao,
Great comment! You may a few very valid points especially about the fact that if you feel bad about things at work, you have become the “virus” which negatively affects the overally well-being of the workplace.
Many thanks for the great comment.
dave
August 27th, 2007 at 8:51 pm
[…] Making Work Fun […]
August 27th, 2007 at 11:09 pm
:) very good article because now I’m thinking about fun and my work.
We, me and my “neighbours”, have created a little support group. We talk about our bosses, our jobs and problems with them.
We try to create, in our group, a little “shelter” of fun and relax so we can resist to our bosses that don’t know your items list
Have a nice life
Ciao from Italy
D
August 29th, 2007 at 7:36 am
[…] Employee motivation, talent management, team outs … there are a lot of things to make you feel better or be a team, but in the end it comes down to the point if you enjoy being at work. What you work makes a difference, but so does the fact if you are having fun at work. So this article caught my eyes, “Making Work Fun“. Really nice reading and very good points. Found via lifehacker. […]
September 1st, 2007 at 8:46 am
[…] Making Work Fun! – Improve your workplace culture with one or more of these “fun” ideas. […]
November 13th, 2007 at 2:25 pm
[…] Work Fun! November 13, 2007 Posted by Alfajri Hasdi in personal, works. trackback I got the article on this website. I try to create a summary of what he had written there. This isreally great motivation for to make my work fun. […]
December 18th, 2007 at 10:02 pm
Hi,
Feeling nice to leave a reply for your interesting topic on making work a fun place…
Work place can be fun if and only if you are interested in doing the work assigned in a proper manner. After that no one can ask you why are you not concentrating on your work???
After you finish your work, you are free to do the things that are helpful in improving your performance abilities and organisational growth..
Managing a balance between your work and fun is indeed a difficult task to carry out…
Ultimately it can be concluded that fun at the work place is no sin.. But it should be noted that it doesnot hinder the orgainsiational goal achievements and improve your abilities..
Creative funs are always invited in organisations…
Atlast, Thank you for giving me a chance to express myself…
January 5th, 2008 at 1:34 am
Great post. Having fun is what life is all about isn’t it?
February 3rd, 2008 at 8:30 pm
Hi Shah,
Thank you for leaving a great comment. I totally agree that work has to be interesting and fun. Only then would we be more productive and useful for the companies we work for. For the type of work I am involved in, a bored employee is more of a liability than an asset.
Best wishes,
dave
August 21st, 2008 at 4:16 am
Hi Dave,
You have really nice posts and inspiring ones. Off late there is no posts from you. Have you changed the site? Hope to get an update from you soon.
Vaidya