Fun and Simple

Fun and Simple, by Teresa Thomas-Carroll, director

Earlier this year, we reflected upon regaining focus and how remembering what we love about our work can help. Now, let's add a handy tool to get even clearer about clarity.

The tool? Imagine a pair of glasses with the lenses of fun and simple. Whenever an issue or work habit feels too difficult, you put on these glasses and can see the sun through the fog.

Think for example about an event you are getting ready to prepare. If you've orchestrated this type of event before, you might be doing everything in the same pattern, worrying out about how much there is for you to do and trying to make it live up to past events. It's supposed to be fun for everyone but it's no longer feeling that way for you. You're stressed and depleted.

You decide to put on the fun and simple glasses. Options start to appear such as: 1) delegating to those who enjoy particular aspects more than you, 2) finding other ways to meet the objectives, 3) realizing you don't have to do things the way they've always been done and 4) embracing quality of experience over perfectionism of details.

With these glasses, your perspective shifts from how difficult this is to thinking fondly of the wonderful people with whom you'll be able to connect. This is feeling much simpler and fun already. And you are regaining clarity about why you are doing this event in the first place.

You've rediscovered your intention; you're excited and feeling at ease again. It's clear!

Mini-Reflection Exercise

Sit down, take a breath and pay attention to what feels difficult or not fun anymore.

Remember when this activity or process felt easier or enjoyable. What has changed?

What might you rethink or alter so that it feels simpler and more rewarding?

This month, each time something starts feeling frustrating reflect upon the above questions. You may be surprised at how many patterns can be refreshed with a little creative thinking.