HUMOROUS HELPS

Humorous Helps

The Oinker Boinkers of the world can truly bring a person down without some resistance mechanisms. I ran across this article listed on Articlecity and felt it had some vital points to share. I agree with much of the information in the article. Unfortunately, the perfect world is not where the majority of us reside. Few companies are likely to consider implementing these suggestions. The hope here is that maybe we can all take away some helpful points that may have some positive and beneficial effects on our lives. Live happy and be well!

"Laugh and the Work World Laughs With You by: Craig Harrison
Many of today's work environments are rife with moody bosses and co-workers,
repetitive tasks and unpredictable market pressures. Stress abounds. Managers
often tell me they can’t afford the time or cost for my humor workshops; how can
they afford not to address workplace stress. We know clinically that laughter
and play have medicinal qualities, offering physical, psychological and
physiological benefits as well. In the workplace, humor and fun can increase
productivity, encourage creativity, enhance team building, and thus improve
esprit de corps. While we may not be able to control everything that happens to
us in our jobs and work environments, we do have control over how we choose to
react. I coach others how to create an environment which is safe and friendly,
and use humor to help maintain a healthy balance between the pressure and
seriousness which comes from high stakes jobs and a competitive marketplace.
Remember that humor starts from within. Being able to laugh at your own foibles
goes a long way toward creating a healthy work climate in which to flourish. The
following are activities and strategies for you as individuals, workgroups and
managers. Be creative and use these ideas to stimulate your own remedies to
workplace stress. - Adorn your work area with cartoons, headlines or funny
photos which bring a smile to your face and visiting co-workers'. Whether you're
surrounded by your favorite Pez dispensers childhood, or wry cartoons that speak
to your tastes, let your work area comfort and humor you while taking some of
the edge off the standard office decor. - Tap a co-worker to be your
humor-partner. Bring a daily joke to share. Commiserate about funny workplace
events. Keep each other buoyed with good cheer. When the chips are down your
humor partner can chip away at your depression, and vice versa. - Don't think
cubicles limit your humor options. I've seen shower curtains, umbrellas and
other devices used effectively to set a light or semi-serious tone. For some,
creativity flourishes behind their cubicle's shower curtain. People tampering
with your work area? Don't get angry…protect it with yellow "Crime Scene" tape!
- Subscribe to a humor website to be e-mailed a free daily or weekly humorous
story, joke and anecdote. Sites such as www.netfunny.com/rhf/ or
www.oraclehumor.com/ are two examples. Are You Laughin' At Me? One manager,
known for his moodiness, acknowledged it with a "Mood-O-Meter" outside his door.
Both he and his employees took turns forecasting his mood: from fire-breathing
to variable clouds to periodic eruptions…proceed at your own risk. Don't
underestimate the power of self-effacing humor for making yourself more
accessible and liked. Room for Laughter. Some companies designate a room, work
area or corner of their office as a romper room, where frolicking and silliness
is allowed. Whether yours has a punching bag, games, a dartboard or foosball,
it's a room for letting off steam and taking a break from the grind. Whine Not.
Everyone loathes whiners yet we all need to blow off steam periodically. One
group of creative trainers and their manager decreed Thursdays to be effective
whining days. They self-policed themselves the rest of the week, making sure not
to whine. Yet even their Thursday gripes had a departmental sanction and somehow
seemed healthier. After all, they belly ached together. A ripple effect actually
improved the morale of departments adjacent to theirs! Meting Out Humor. Many
professionals approach meetings with trepidation. A dash of humor can make a
difference. For regular meetings earmark one or two minutes each meeting for a
humorous interlude. In one workgroup a "humor hand" rotates from meeting to
meeting. Employees take turns setting a lighter tone to the meeting, insuring
everybody is engaged. An anecdote, verbal or physical activity focuses the group
on the task at hand and brings colleagues together in a spirit of fun. When not
to use Humor. Not all humor is good humor. Humor that hurts, ostracizes or is
cruel will have a detrimental effect on others and you. Strive for humor that is
inclusive, creative and captures our human essence. By now you know that sexist,
racist, ageist jokes and crude humor are not only inappropriate, but can lead to
sanctions, termination or even lawsuits. Be sensitive when telling jokes
involving terminations, reductions in force (RIFs) and personal tragedies. Their
hurt can linger long after the fact. . When in doubt…leave it out! Appropriate
humor can make hard tasks easier, collaborations fun and certainly make workdays
go faster. Laugh, and the work world laughs with you!
About The Author
Since the age of eleven when he went door-to-door selling Used Jokes, Craig
Harrison has been connecting with customers through humor. As a professional
speaker and corporate trainer Craig Harrison's Expressions of Excellence
provides sales and service solutions through speaking. Contact him at (888)
450-0664, through his website http://www.ExpressionsofExcellence.com
or via e-mail: humor@craigspeaks.com "

Humorous Helps