More Fun Than Pike’s Peak
October 9th, 2008. Filed under: Thursday's Travels.That’s the Pike Place Fish Market in Seattle. It’s home to flying fish and the Fish Philosophy. Do you enjoy your job? Do you really have fun at work? The fishmongers at Pike Place do. Check out their web cam and watch them at work. They and their customers are having a great time. Makes me wish I were working at a place like that. Hey, I’d buy fish from them just for the experience. I first heard of their Fish Philosophy a couple years ago during a presentation by my current employer. Both the video and philosophy are excellent.
The Fish Philosophy involves four elements.
- Play. If work is fun, it gets done. Play is a state of mind that brings new energy to the tasks involved in our jobs and sparks creative solutions.
- Make their day. A small kindness or unforgettable moment can turn routine encounters into special memories.
- Be there. Not just your body. Be totally focused on the moment and on the person or task. When we are fully focused on others, we listen.
- Choose your attitude. If you choose your response to whatever life brings, you can look for the best and find opportunities.
Some suggestions presented to help you choose your attitude include waking up early to spend some time in meditation, yoga, prayer, reading or taking a walk. Try turning off the radio on the way to work and reflect on how you will “be” during the day. Start a gratitude journal. Keep an intention log in which you jot down your intentions for the week and post them on your bathroom mirror. That way you can reflect on them every time you wash your face or brush your teeth. Break out of the cycle mid-day and take a walk. The last suggestion is that when you arrive at work, stay in your car a little longer or close your office door. Use this time to go over your planner and reflect on how you will “be” during each appointment, meeting or activity.
Once you’ve chosen your attitude, then it is easier to play and create an enjoyable workplace. If we can’t take time off from work to go fish, then let’s fish while we’re at work.