So, you think youve got yourself a pretty sweet job? Feel like youve got the world by the tail now that youre sitting at the big desk, spinning the world around on your fingertip like Michael Jordan spins a basketball? Wouldnt trade it for all the paper clips in the supply room, you say? Well, let me ask you something there, fellah (or gender-neutral noun of your choice). Are you really happy? Is your job supplying you with the really important things in life (besides free office supplies, that is)? Does it provide an exciting, interesting, and stimulating work environment?
Thats what I thought. What it comes down to is thateven with all the great pay, short hours, fringe benefits, great house, exclusive private schools for your kids, golf carts, and club membership, stock options, designer clothes, and rubbing elbows with Rosie ODonnellyou just cant make up for that missing element of full workplace happiness, that piece of the universe your psyche is crying out for to reach contentment in the workplace. Fun!
Everyone knows that business is serious business. After all, you cant make a million bucks a day if your competitor has a smile on his face. Our educational institutions teach us that successful business people should be grave and somber in personal communications. After all, gazillions of dollars in business deals depend on the investors confidence in the executives business skills or failing that, one really lucky bet at the racetrack. This is a serious business, this business stuff, and wed all do well to emulate the likes of J.P. Morgan, whose stern countenance gazes at us from the pages of history, reminding us that there is no place in business for fun.
Puh-fewwy!
J.P. Morgan may have been rich, but he probably never played jacks on his office floor. True, Morgan could buy and sell any man of his time, but I doubt that he ever took time out from corporate wheeling and dealing long enough to initiate a game of hide-and- seek with his employees. Oh sure, he may have played spin the bottle a time or two with his secretary, but that hardly counts (right, Mr. President?). That poor, poor, exceedingly
filthy rich man missed the boat on what business is all about, just as the rest of corporate America is in danger of doing today.
Like Mr. Morgan, you probably think the purpose of business is to make money, dont you? Guess again, Grasshopper, because you couldnt be further from the truth. Businesses exist so that grown-ups have a place to meet and play. (Why do you think people freak out when they get laid off or retire? Do I need flash cards, here?) Remember grade school? Every day you studied history and math, but you knew those were just time- fillers until the real purpose of school occurred: Recess! Every kid knows that you only attend school so you can run around with your friends at recess! Studying, learning, and business plans are just things you do to appease your parents, teachers, and majority shareholders. Sure its a lot to ask of a kid, but theyre willing to put up with those unpleasantries if it means they get to play. Shouldnt you demand the same?
As you grew older and moved into junior and senior high school, you switched from playing cars with your buddies to learning to play the game of life (and we arent talking about the Milton Bradley version either). Nope, unfortunately, this game of Life tells you to put away your toys and focus on more important things like the opposite sex, sports, cars, and Starbucks coffee. And in real life you dont even start off with $10,000 and a car! Before you know it, youve graduated college and are working 9 to 5, spending all of your time trying to earn enough money to pay for last winters vacation to Disneyland (where you spent four hours searching for your youngest child while the oldest one upchucked all over Mickey after eating too much cotton candy). Only after its too late do you realize that youve forgotten the whole point!
Its Not Really Too Late
Well my friend, Ive got news for you. Its not too late. You can recapture those childhood memories by digging into your desk drawers and pulling out all those games and toys youve got hidden there. Cmon, dont be shy to admit it. I know youve got a yo-yo stuffed in there somewhere. Ill bet if you look around in your briefcase, youll find a crayon your three-year-old jammed behind your calculator. Get those toys out and start playing now!
Corporate America has been stuffed into the straightjacket of a suit and tie and (on Friday) seemingly casual clothes for too long. Its time to relax. After all, whats wrong with a game of marbles played in the middle of the break room floor or a round of Old Maid being played by the Board of Directors while conducting their quarterly status meeting? The world will be a much better place when your 63-year-old CEO is no longer ashamed to play Hot Wheels in the mailroom with the company clerk during the morning break.
Remember, the only reason for being at work in the first place is to play with your friends. Actual business decisions should only occur after morning playtime and a nice long nap. Dont wait! Be the first in your office to bring in a Hula Hoop and get the fun started! Take out your frustration at being passed over for promotion with a rousing game of Rockem Sockem Robots! The day you can attend a meeting and record your notes on an Etch A Sketch will be the day that corporate America can once again can stand proud as a world leader.
Do it for yourself. Do it because its right. Do it for America. Start playing around on the job, now. Youll be glad you did.
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