Our "puppy" Mack is a bright canine. He is able to read the "family-is-leaving-and-the-dog-goes-outside" signs early in any departure process. Unfortunately, Mack doesn't like it when the family leaves, and, as a result, he will lay down, dig in, or otherwise refuse to go anywhere near the back door.

This obstinate behavior doesn't go over well with the tall people in the family.

In fact, my usual response is to push, prod, and otherwise manhandle Mack to get him outside. While I technically "win" this wrestling match, the victory makes me sweaty, ruins my hair, and otherwise destroys my attitude.

Hardly a triumph worth celebrating!

My husband, however, runs an entirely different playbook with "Senor Yellow." Billy makes going outside a game with the dog. Billy starts the festivities with an extended stare-down, making sure Mack is fully engaged with him. Then Billy does a fake "bolt" as though he's heading for the door and stops short before actually moving, usually leaving Mack scrambling to get back to his starting place.

By this point, the dog is all about playing. Billy then runs over to get a treat and races the dog to the door. Boom! With a few seconds of effort, Billy has Mack outside, sitting, and waiting for his treat.

If I could I remember this approach, not only would I be happier, but so would the dog, the kids, the hubby, and everyone else who comes across my non-sweaty, decently coiffed, non-grumpy self during the day.

Having fun changes the outlook on almost everything.(Did you write that down? Pretty insightful stuff right there!!)

And yet, despite the obvious nature of my "fun changes everything" statement, we don't value fun the way we should.

Here's what I mean - When we plan a meeting, put kids through their bath/bedtime routine, organize a family vacation, work on a school project, cook a meal, or tackle ANYTHING tedious, we don't usually ask, "how can I make this fun?" Instead, we think, "how can I make this fast?" or maybe, "how can I delegate this job?" or even, "will anyone notice if I don't do this chore?"

If you're like me, you find it easy to make efficiency, well, so efficient, that enjoyment gets squeezed out.

I like to get things D-O-N-E and then later, I reason, I'll chill out and laugh with the people around me. Fun and productivity don't really go together.

As backwards as this sounds, what's worse, the resistance to making tasks both efficient and fun doesn't bring just neutral results; it ends up actually working against me.

For me, when projects and tasks are driven by a checklist, eventually I dread the list. My dread leads to procrastination, which leads to last-minute fire drills, which usually ends up with my temper being just a tad too short and my disposition none too civil. It's an ugly cycle.

On the other hand, when fun is a strategic part of planning, another cycle emerges. When I approach a work meeting (or family chore, or travel logistics, or ____! ) thinking through how to make the time both efficient and fun, I find at least three consistent outcomes:

Productivity increases
Creativity flourishes
Time flies

Finally, as a leader, when I take responsibility for making tasks under my authority not just effective, but enjoyable, the lasting impact is that taking yourself seriously is difficult. Impatience fades into the background when you realize that progress isn't always a linear, list-management process. Instead, productivity grows when you can lighten up and give people room to enjoy processing through their tasks.

What assignments/chores/jobs make you more likely to lose your patience? How can you use fun to lighten up those moments?

As for me, I'll get started by playing more games with the dog...

The Link Between Fun & Efficiency