Having Fun Doesn’t Always Show With a Bright Smile
If your role models don’t smile or laugh all the time, it doesn’t mean they don’t have fun right where they are.
When I teach and share Self-Gamification (an approach to turning our lives into fun games by tapping into anthropology, kaizen, and gamification), I often invite my listeners to think of their role models and ask them to answer the following questions.
An assignment: Take a look at those you admire
I also invite you to do this little exercise. Feel free to write the answers down and if you wish so, share them in the comments.
Think of one or more successful people you admire and answer the following questions with a “Yes,” “No,” or “I don’t know:”
The name of the person(s): Feel in the blanks [_____]
- Do they have fun with what they do? [_____]
- Are they passionate about it?[_____]
- Do you think they are compassionate to themselves? [_____]
- Do you think they are compassionate to others? [_____]
- Do they do what they do to serve others? [_____]
- Do you think of them as being non-judgmental in general? [_____]
- Do you think they are both kind to and honest with themselves? [_____]
- Do you think they are fully present and engaged in whatever they do, including the interviews they are giving? [_____]
- Do you think they managed to be masters in what they are successful at by making small but steady steps? [_____]
- Do you think they approached at least something in a playful way? What was that?[_____]
Did you answer five or more questions with a “Yes”? Then the person you admire practices non-judgmental seeing of themselves and the world around them, making progress with small steps, and being humorous and gameful while they do those steps, often deliberately honing these three skill sets, even if they might not have heard of any of the approaches brought together by Self-Gamification.
An answer igniting contemplation
One of the respondents mentioned that someone inspired her, but she wasn’t sure how much fun this person had because he often appeared so serious. After some contemplation, I sent her the following comment:
(The beginning of the comment)
For a long time, I thought that only those who smiled broadly were happy and having fun. Smiles and laughter were for me strongly connected with fun, joy, and happiness. I thought that fun and happiness did not exist without smiles and laughter.
Until I was inspired to look at those who love reading books. They might be frowning due to the tension in the book, but at the same time still, be having fun and feeling happy. The same is true for those who play board, video, or other games. They might not be smiling the entire time, and at times even appear to be working hard to reach the next level, but if you ask them if they’re having fun, they will answer in the affirmative.
Being fully engaged and having fun might not always show externally, but they are still there on the inside. I am convinced that people who are passionate about what they do are most certainly having fun. It is made evident by the fire in their eyes when you ask them about the topic of their passion.
(The end of the comment)
Thank you for reading this article! I hope you enjoyed it.
Note: It is a compilation of two excerpts from Self-Gamification Happiness Formula: How to Turn Your Life into Fun Games.
Here are several other stories you might enjoy about fun:
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