Are you having fun?

“We don’t stop playing because we grow old; we grow old because we stop playing.” – George Bernard Shaw

When was the last time you had an absolute blast doing something just for the fun of it? Or, are you, like so many of us, too busy stuck in the weeds of the daily grind that you forget to pause and ask yourself a simple yet profound question: am I having fun?!

It’s a theme that comes into play (deliberate choice of words, there) for a lot of my clients: they’re successful, ambitious, finally achieving balance in their lives and yet, things can feel a bit too...serious, sometimes.

Fun isn't just a luxury; it's a vital ingredient for a fulfilling life and a stimulated mind. So, let's dive into how we can bring more lighthearted joy into our lives.

First off though - it’s cards on the table time! Consider reflecting on these questions before we begin -?

1. When was the last time you laughed out loud or felt pure joy?
2. Do you have hobbies or activities that you look forward to outside of work?
3. How often do you feel genuinely excited about your daily tasks?
4. Are you spending enough quality time with friends and family?
5. Do you find moments to be playful and spontaneous?
6. How often do you engage in activities purely for pleasure, without any productivity goals?
7. Are there aspects of your work that you still find enjoyable and stimulating?
8. Do you take regular breaks to recharge and have fun?
9. Are you trying new things that excite and challenge you?
10. How balanced is your life between work and leisure?

What stands out for you? Do you notice any specific areas that would benefit from some attention??

Another point to note is that our definition of fun changes over time - what we enjoyed in our twenties won’t hit the same mark in our thirties or forties. All part of life of course, but it’s important to take stock and re-discover what works for us so we have a lighthearted outlet in our lives to balance the heavier grown up stuff.?

If you find that fun has taken a backseat in proceedings, here are some suggestions to bring more enjoyment into your life:

1. Remember what you used to enjoy: reflect on hobbies/interests you used to love or explore new ones. Whether it's reading, painting, walking, playing an instrument, or gardening, find activities that light you up?
2. Schedule fun (yes, I’m deadly serious!): just as you schedule meetings, deadlines, and tasks that must get done, it’s crucial to make time for fun. Block out time in your calendar for activities that bring you joy and stick to it
3. Be more playful: inject some lightheartedness into your day. This could be through games, humorous conversations, or simply allowing yourself to be silly - you’ll be surprised at how this positivity can spread to those around you
4. Do something new: challenge yourself to try something you’ve always wanted to do but have never done - a new sport, a cooking class, or even a spontaneous weekend to somewhere on your bucket list. Indulge your sense of adventure, life’s too short not to
5. Laugh more: make an effort to laugh - watch a comedy, read a funny book, or share jokes with friends. Laughter is a powerful antidote to stress and a great way to have fun - it’s also highly contagious

Fun isn’t just meaningless frivolity - it's essential for our mental well-being and overall happiness. Reflect on what brings you joy and what you can do more of to inject some more lightheartedness in to your day to day.

And in the interest of practising what I preach - I’ve taken a dose of my own medicine and scheduled some fun: we’re off to a gig this week, out to dinner with friends, and I’ve started a new book that is couched as Irish comedy gold - will keep you posted :)?

Want to find out more?

• Download my e-book ‘Are you in the driving seat of your life, and business?’ to gain actionable advice and support
• Book in a complimentary, confidential discovery call to discuss how we could partner together
• Follow the Infusion Insights newsletter, which is packed with advice and experience for business owners who want to scale their business and create ultimate freedom?

‘Til next time.

Laura