Welcome to the Stop Sabotaging Your Success Podcast, episode eighty-one. I’m your host, Cindy Esliger. This is the podcast focusing on what we can do today to take control of our careers and overcome the inevitable barriers to success that we encounter along the way. 

In a world where we are constantly pressured to succeed and achieve our goals, we often forget that taking things too seriously can lead to burnout and a lack of enjoyment in our pursuits. We tend to believe that in order for something to be important, it has to be difficult and challenging. However, this mindset can be detrimental to our mental health and overall well-being. 

In this episode, we explore the notion that making things fun and easy doesn’t mean that we are not taking our goals seriously. In fact, it can be quite the opposite. When we enjoy what we are doing and approach it with a sense of playfulness, we are more likely to stay motivated and achieve success in our endeavors. 

One way to make things more fun and easy is by avoiding overwhelm. Breaking down tasks into smaller, more manageable steps can reduce the stress caused by the enormity of a task. We can also track our progress more easily and feel a sense of accomplishment as we complete each step. We are all creatures of habit, so it’s helpful to make these new things that we want to do as easy and natural as possible by incorporating them into what we’re already doing. 

Another way to make things fun and easy is by incorporating elements of play into the things we do each day. A little competition never hurt anyone, especially when you’re only competing with yourself. Why not challenge yourself to do just a little bit better than you did yesterday? It’s always fun to see what’s possible for ourselves and make a bit of a game out of the things that we do. 

It’s also important to remember that we don’t have to take ourselves too seriously. We all make mistakes and that’s okay. It’s okay to laugh at ourselves and approach challenges with a sense of humor. Treat it as an experiment. It could be as simple as finishing this sentence, “I wonder what would happen if…” Get curious and be open to the possibilities instead of putting more pressure on yourself to achieve more and more. 

By making things fun and easy, we can also inspire others to do the same. When we approach our pursuits with joy and enthusiasm, we can create a positive and supportive environment where everyone feels comfortable taking risks and trying new things. Unfortunately, the opposite is much more common. I’m sure I’m not the only one who has experienced the tension in the room when someone is taking things too seriously and not performing up to their own expectations, and it just makes everything uncomfortable for everyone around them. 

Making things fun and easy can be a powerful tool in achieving success and maintaining our mental health and overall well-being by incorporating elements of playfulness, enjoyment, and simplicity into our daily lives. It means taking a lighthearted approach to challenges and tasks, breaking them down into manageable steps, and infusing them with a sense of joy and enthusiasm. 

There are several benefits to incorporating more fun and ease into our daily lives, including increased creativity, motivation, and productivity. When we approach tasks with a sense of playfulness and curiosity, we can tap into our creativity and come up with new and innovative ideas. For example, you could try brainstorming ideas in a more relaxed, fun environment. By incorporating play into your brainstorming process, you may come up with more unique and interesting ideas than if you had approached the task with a rigid, serious mindset, which just might lead to greater success in your career or personal pursuits.

When we enjoy what we’re doing, we are more likely to stay motivated and engaged. By making your goal more fun and enjoyable, you may be more likely to stick with it until you achieve what you’re after, which can lead to greater satisfaction and that sense of accomplishment. 

By incorporating elements of ease and simplicity into our daily routines, we can also streamline our processes and increase our productivity. For example, if you’re trying to organize your workspace, you could break the task down into smaller steps such as clearing out clutter, organizing paperwork, and creating a designated space for each item. By taking a step-by-step approach and infusing the task with a sense of ease, you may be able to complete the task more efficiently and effectively, freeing up time and energy for those other things in life that contribute to our happiness.

Incorporating fun and ease into our daily lives doesn’t have to be complicated or time consuming. It can be as simple as taking a few minutes to play with a pet or taking a break from work to enjoy a hobby or activity that’s fun. What’s that old saying? ‘All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy’. There’s definitely truth in that for me, since without time off from work, I become both bored and boring. 

Here are three tips for making things fun and easy: 

1. Remove anticipated obstacles before you begin 
2. Start small and start now
3. Find joy in the process

Remove anticipated obstacles before you begin: One of the easiest ways to make tasks more manageable and less daunting is to proactively determine what might prevent you from accomplishing this goal. By identifying your potential roadblocks, excuses, or fears and how you will navigate them, you eliminate much of their power to act as a barrier preventing you from succeeding. 

Start small and start now: Chances are, if you are working towards a goal that’s important to you, it’s going to take time, energy, and focus to accomplish it. You’re far more likely to succeed if you start by making small behavioral changes now to set you on the right path, as opposed to jumping in all at once and expecting to do things perfectly, only to get discouraged and want to quit when things get tough. It’s normal to be excited as you begin and have that enthusiasm wane as you progress toward the messy middle. Dedicate time to work on your goals. Put it in your schedule so it’s one less step to navigate because you have the time set aside for working on that goal. 

Find joy in the process: Instead of focusing solely on the end result, try to find joy in the process of completing the task or project. Connect every goal to your reason for doing it and why it’s important to you. This can help you stay motivated and engaged even when faced with challenging or tedious work. If you’re working on a repetitive task, you could try to find joy in the rhythm and routine of the work. You can cultivate a more positive, optimistic mindset if you choose to, and that can help you achieve greater success and satisfaction in your work. 

Incorporating fun and ease into our daily lives can have many benefits, but it can also present some challenges. Here are three of the biggest challenges, along with strategies for overcoming them: 

1. Time management
2. Guilt and self-judgment 
3. Perceived lack of productivity

Time management: One of the biggest challenges of incorporating fun and ease into our daily lives is finding the time to do so. We often have busy schedules and may struggle to make time for activities that aren’t directly related to work or other obligations. To overcome this challenge, it’s important to prioritize fun and ease by setting aside time in your schedule for activities that you enjoy. This might mean scheduling time for hobbies, exercise, or socializing. Setting boundaries around work and other responsibilities can also be helpful, such as avoiding work emails or phone calls during your designated ‘fun time’. 

Guilt and self-judgment: Another challenge of incorporating fun and ease is overcoming the feelings that we should be working all the time, or that we don’t deserve to take a break. To overcome this challenge, it’s important to prioritize self-care and recognize the importance of taking breaks and doing activities that bring us joy. This might mean setting aside time each day to engage in self-care activities, such as taking a relaxing bath, meditating, or reading a book. It can also be helpful to practice self-compassion and remind ourselves that taking breaks and engaging in fun activities is important for our overall well-being. 

Perceived lack of productivity: Another challenge of incorporating fun and ease is the perception that these activities are not productive or may take time away from our work. However, research has shown that taking breaks and engaging in leisure activities can actually increase productivity and creativity. To overcome this challenge, it’s important to recognize the value of incorporating fun and ease into our daily lives. This might mean reframing the way we think about these activities and recognizing that they can actually help us to be more productive and effective in our work. It can also be helpful to set goals and track progress toward incorporating more fun and ease into our daily routines, just like any other habit we are trying to create. 

As I said, balancing fun with hard work is important for maintaining high levels of productivity. On one hand, incorporating fun and ease can reduce stress, increase creativity, and improve mood. On the other hand, hard work is necessary for achieving goals, fulfilling responsibilities, and developing skills. 

To strike a balance effectively in the workplace, it’s important to first understand the goals and expectations of the job. This might involve prioritizing tasks, setting goals, and developing a schedule that allows for both work and leisure activities. Here are some examples of how to strike this balance effectively: 

Take breaks: One way to balance fun and ease with hard work is to take regular breaks throughout the day. This might mean taking a short walk or engaging in another activity that helps you relax and recharge. Taking breaks can help prevent burnout and increase the speed at which you can accomplish those items on your to-do list when you return to your work. 

Set boundaries: It’s also important to set boundaries around work and leisure time. This might mean avoiding work outside of work hours or setting aside specific times for different activities. By setting boundaries, you can ensure that you have the time for both work and play and can avoid the stress of wondering how you’re going to get it all done.

Prioritize self-care: These days, self-care has become a bit of a buzzword and can mean different things to different people. This might mean making time for exercise, healthy eating, or other activities that help you feel your best. By prioritizing these activities, you can improve your overall well-being and increase your productivity and effectiveness in the workplace. 

Maintaining motivation and focus while incorporating fun and ease in your work can be challenging, but it’s essential for achieving success and avoiding exhaustion that just might put you on the path to burnout. Start by setting clear specific goals to help you maintain focus and motivation while incorporating fun breaks into your work. Give yourself something to look forward to, to help you push through those more unpleasant tasks. Celebrate your small wins along the way, and use them to motivate yourself to continue working towards your ultimate goal.

Surround yourself with a supportive community by finding like-minded colleagues or participating in online communities related to your interests. By connecting with others who share the things you enjoy, you can stay motivated, receive feedback and support, and have fun while working towards your individual success. 

Experiment with different strategies for making things fun and easy. This might involve trying new hobbies or activities, or simply making yourself take the time to relax and recharge. By experimenting with different strategies, you are more likely to find what works best for you and create a sustainable, enjoyable routine that supports your overall well-being and helps you maintain your high levels of productivity. 

It’s important to remember that trying new things can be scary or uncomfortable, but it’s often necessary for growth and development. Embrace new experiences and take risks to expand your horizons and discover new passions and interests. 

By not taking everything so seriously, we can actually improve our productivity and creativity. When we are too focused on the outcome, we can become stressed, anxious, and get less done. On the other hand, when we allow ourselves to have fun and enjoy the process, we can become more creative and open to finding new solutions to problems. Additionally, when we enjoy what we do, we are more likely to stay motivated and committed to our goals. So making things fun is not only enjoyable, but it can also lead to better results over the long term. 

There are many strategies for making things fun and easy, so experiment with different tactics and find what works best for you. Create a sustainable, enjoyable routine that works for you and helps you get more done. 

And that’s it for this episode of Stop Sabotaging Your Success. Remember to download your Guide for Making It Fun at cindyesliger.com/podcast, episode eighty-one.

Thank you to our producer, Alex Hochhausen and everyone at Astronomic Audio. Get in touch, I’m on Instagram @cindyesliger and my email address is info@cindyesliger.com.

If you enjoy listening to this podcast, you have to come check out The Confidence Collective. It’s my monthly coaching program where we dig a little deeper into what’s holding you back in your career, and we find the workarounds. We help you overcome the barriers and create the career you want. Join me over at cindyesliger.com/join. I’d love to have you join me in The Confidence Collective. 

Until next week, I’m Cindy Esliger. Thanks for listening.