The Art of Fun
The most memorable productivity involves laughter, a tiny bit of insanity, and being proud of your outcomes.
Task List Trauma
The problem with being ruthlessly productive is you sometimes forget to have fun in the process. Breathe. If you die tonight, the world will keep going. So, what legacy do you want to leave?
Do you want to be remembered as the efficient taskmaster who got everything done, the details of which no one will remember anyway? Or do you want to be remembered as a light in someone’s life — an inspiration, a leader? Someone who tests limits and rallies others to do the same?
The truth is, if you’re not having fun while pursuing all your minute goals, you probably won’t look back on their collective outcome with fond memories, because feelings are more memorable than tangible outcomes.
Feelings are more memorable than tangible outcomes.
Ten years ago, do you remember exactly what you were working on (school, career, or otherwise)? How about your feelings at the time — many of which were likely related to your relationships with others? If you’re like most people, you probably don’t remember the details, but you certainly remember the sentiments. Moreover, your personality traits like (T) thinking vs. (F) feeling predispose you to certain emotional conclusions.
Think of a time you produced something and had fun in the process, and another time you felt sick at the end. What was the difference? The people involved? The approach? The timeline?
There will always be constraints and challenges, and there will always be more to do. But surrounding yourself with a culture of people who know how to have a good time in the process can make the difference between loving life and loathing it. Fortunately, you contribute to the culture around you, so you have an element of control. Exercise it.
You contribute to the culture around you, so you have an element of control. Exercise it.
Balance Your Goals
Embrace the Insanity
I remember the night I painted Abstract Metallics — the cover image above. While some of my paintings take weeks or even months to complete, I was determined to complete this piece in one night to refresh my wall art. I pressed ‘Play’ on some music. I filled my palette with blobs of paint: ice blue, steel gray, copper, black, and white. I loosened the bristles of my paint brush with my palm, then I slapped paint back and forth over the canvas like a baker swiftly glazing her cakes and pastries, preparing for the day’s rush of customers.
Within thirty minutes, I had a new (3' x 4') painting. But it wasn’t enough. I stood back and sipped my drink, staring at it, contemplating. It was abstract, sure, but it was missing something. Then I did something wild. Imagining I was in my own artist studio where a certain level of unkempt craziness was expected, I loaded my brush with a thick helping of copper paint, reared back, and flicked my brush toward the canvas.
The color splattered on more than the canvas (and I was quick to clean it off my furniture because some perfectionism traits are hard to shake). But the canvas. Wow! I smiled and nodded. It was starting to take shape — the shape of insanity. Unpredictability. I giggled and repeated the process with black paint.
Again and again I threw paint while laughing not unlike a mad scientist bewitched by experimentation. It was thrilling. Unexpected. Delightfully disorganized. The random splotches provided a layer of surprise and intrigue on top of the already abstract strokes.
It was thrilling. Unexpected. Delightfully disorganized.
I still look at that canvas and smile when I remember the feeling I had that night. It was pure freedom — to try something new, to succeed or fail, and to love the process as much as the outcome.
It was pure freedom — to try something new, to succeed or fail, and to love the process as much as the outcome.
Reset with a Good Laugh
Focusing on the intangible — the abstract — the art of feeling can enable a higher degree of satisfaction with your life’s pursuits. Put yourself in a position to affect those feelings positively, because while you can’t control everything, you absolutely control yourself, and — by association and indirect influence — others’ feelings.
One of the best ways to feel great and influence others positively is to laugh. According to this article, “Laughter strengthens your immune system, boosts mood, diminishes pain, and protects you from the damaging effects of stress.” Try smiling in your next interaction and watch the other person (or people) visibly relax.
Sometimes it’s hard to laugh, but it doesn’t necessarily require optimism. It requires a willingness to evaluate your situation with a sense of humor. Even if everything is falling apart, find a reason to laugh. Like the time my basement flooded eight years ago, and while I bailed the water like a sailor trying to stop the ship from sinking, I sang songs to my four-month-old to keep her from wailing. At one point I stood up and erupted in a fit of laughter, and my then-toddler asked, “Mommy, what’s so funny?”
Even if everything is falling apart, find a reason to laugh.
Be Proud of Your Outcomes
Be gracious and forgiving of yourself. We all have the same hours in the day, and you chose how to spend yours. Don’t focus on all the things you didn’t achieve. Instead, be proud of what you did accomplish. You prioritized those things for a reason.
Be proud of how you approached those tasks — with mirth, inquisitiveness, and a willingness to explore. Surely you learned (or taught someone else) something new in the process. If you’re not proud of what you accomplished, learn from it, and make different decisions next time.
And once you’re over the need to tally all the small actions that resulted in some (hopefully outstanding) outcome, make a mental note to remember how you feel right now. Seek to replicate that. Over and over. Soon it’ll be routine, and you’ll be proud of your achievements as well as your approach.
Summary
Ruthless efficiency means nothing if you’re not willing to have fun in the process. Optimism comes down to your outlook. Light up your life (and the lives of others) with some laughter. And above all, let go. Be free.
#noregrets
The postings on this site are my own and do not necessarily reflect the views of my employer.
