E-couragement: The "F" Word at Work
March 2007
"There is work that is work and there is play that is play; there is play that is work and work that is play. And in only one of these lie happiness.” -- Gelett Burgess
Ever since my daughters were little, we’ve had a commitment to laughter. We create games for the sheer purpose of fun. Sure, there were sub-goals, such as finishing a bath, getting pajamas on, preparing for a trip or getting a tired, cranky child out of bed. But, for the most part, the games were about laughing, having fun, and being together. Most of our games revolved around mysterious travelers, castles, shopping, funny made-up song lyrics, and assorted other girly things. Sometimes it meant that my fingernails needed to be painted. Sometimes I watched “fashion shows” or sought out secret hiding places while making silly noises. It didn’t really matter what the activity was. What was important was that we were together in a relaxed environment--laughing and connecting with each other. We lived the “F” word. We had FUN!
Where is the “F” word in our work lives? I am often taken aback by some of the answers I get to the question, “So, how do you like your work?” I hear things like, “Well, sixteen more years.” Or, “It’s tolerable on Friday.” I ran into a friend last night at a local restaurant and asked him, “How’s business?” He replied, “Good, we’re staying busy. I look forward to the weekends.” Now, that’s inspiring! What, are people doing—time? Are they incarcerated? Waiting to be “released” on good behavior after 30 years and fantasizing about the freedom of retirement? Folks, does this sound familiar? In many instances, we have allowed Corporate America to become a miserable place. How about a shot of Novocain? The pain is unbearable.
Growing up, one of my favorite T.V. shows was Wild Kingdom. It came on Sunday afternoon right before Wonderful World of Disney. Life was good! These manly men would enter into the wild habitats of dangerous creatures. The goal, it seems, was always the same. Shoot the wild boar, or cougar, with a tranquilizer gun, check its teeth for potential gum disease, tag its ear, and release it. It was dangerous and exciting work. I bet they never said, “Sixteen more years” when asked, “How do you like your job at Wild Kingdom?”
I have a modern day fantasy based on the Wild Kingdom theme. I want to don some authentic safari gear, load up a tranquilizer gun and head to the nearest corporate office park. Next, I burst into the first organization I find, tranquillize the inhabitants, check their teeth, tag their ear and release them from their imprisoned misery! With their ears tagged, I can now track the migration habits of these miserable employees to find out what they do next. My only concern? That they will simply return to a different corporate location, only to be trapped in the same unhealthy, repressive, joy-sucking habitat. That is the sad end to my fantasy. I return to my Jeep in the Serengeti, sweaty and dejected.
When did we start accepting that our careers have to be void of fun, meaning and inspiration? I believe it is time for a corporate revolution or revival (you choose what to call it). In Victor Frankl’s Man’s Search for Meaning, while recalling his brutal imprisonment in a Nazi concentration camp, he writes, “Everything can be taken away from a man but one thing: the last of the human freedoms—to choose one’s attitude in any given set of circumstances, to choose one’s own way.” This discovery helped Frankl not only “survive” the concentration camp, but to find happiness and joy in his day-to-day experiences. In corporate America, it is time to make your choice.
Cease to be part of the corporate agony. Begin your own personal revival. Decide that inspiration, meaning, and fun all have a place at work. Bring your own “F” word to work; others will catch it from you.