December 2004 - Make it Lighter
December 2004 - Make it LighterMake
it LighterThere are plenty of ways to add "light" to your workplace in the form of fun and enjoyable events to balance the shortage of light from the sun at this time of year
When people enjoy their work, the time seems to fly by. That's why so many workplaces promote holiday parties - they make people feel good! People who feel good, work better and get along better with others.
Imagine getting up every day excited about what you face at work that day! Your own individual positive "light" helps keep the mood upbeat. Whatever you can do to help yourself feel good at work, helps everyone else.
As we head into December, may people find they can let their creativity show
as they decorate their office with tinsel, shiny balls, glitter strings or other
bright, shiny objects. These also help reflect the light and add a bit of
sparkle that will tickle the fancy of those who come by.
Others wear brighter, livelier colors that have the same effect. Battery-powered low voltage light strings are often allowed in workplaces where adding electric lights may be a problem.
Individual homeowners and entire neighborhoods light up their homes for the holidays, which provide enjoyable scenery on the drive home from work on those dark evenings.
Some people find that practicing with the company singing group, church choir or local community group provide the extra uplift they seek at this time of year.
Many organizations choose to help others at this time of year. They may have auctions of holiday baskets with proceeds going to charity. The group effort of working together to achieve something worthwhile helps pass the time quickly, and the excitement of winning something pretty carries over in a positive way to other work throughout the day. Certainly the good feelings associated with helping others reminds us of how prosperous we are and provides another reason to be grateful.
If you are a boss, how about declaring a "silly day" when everyone can just relax and be silly? Radical? You bet! For those courageous enough to try it, you will reap major benefits by giving your employees the opportunity to relax and get to know you as a person instead of just "the boss."
Dennis Bakke, in his book Joy at Work, likes to ask the question, "What is the most important factor that makes a workplace rewarding satisfying, exciting — fun?" Typical answers include:
What would people at your workplace say makes it fun? Share the answers in your department or company newsletter. Encourage people to make suggestions for making it even more enjoyable this month.
At your staff meetings during the winter, how about dedicating 10 minutes to the subject of having more fun at work? Then, start implementing those suggestions. You may be surprised at how it changes the work dynamic in a positive way.
Wishing you a December of light and laughter!
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Internet Resources
Books
The Lighter Side 
Christmas
Wishes 2004 (Power Point slide show A
Visit from the Yuletide Spirits 
pdf)Hoping means seeing that the outcome you want is possible and then working for it — Bernie S. Siegel, M.D.
Where there is life, there is hope — Marcus Tullius Cicero
You gain strength, courage and confidence by each experience in which you really stop to look fear in the face. You are able to say to yourself, "I have lived through this horror. I can take the next thing that comes along." — Eleanor Roosevelt
When one door of happiness closes, another opens; but often we look so long at the closed door that we do not see the one that has opened for us — Helen Keller
There ain't much fun in medicine, but there's a heck of a lot of medicine in fun — Josh Billings
The tragedy of life is not that it ends so soon, but that we wait so long to begin it. — Anonymous
The greatest discovery of any generation is that human beings can alter their lives by altering the attitudes of their minds — Albert Schweitzer
In order to laugh, you must be able to play with your pain — Annette Goodheart
Nothing is quite as funny as the unintended humor of reality — Steve Allen
He who laughs, lasts — Mary Pettibone Poole
In order to be a realist, you must believe in miracles — David Ben-Gurion
The most important medicine is tender love and care — Mother Teresa
About our resource links: We do not endorse or agree with all the beliefs in these links. We do keep an open mind about different viewpoints and respect the ability of our readers to decide for themselves what is useful.
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