Do you know how to have fun?
Maybe you did as a kid. But somewhere along the way between work stress, family demands and the weight of responsibility fun quietly got squeezed out.
I realized I was holding life a little too tightly a few years ago while coaching Little League baseball for my son’s team.
It was the bottom of the last inning. Tie game. My son came up to bat and hit a single. I cheered while coaching third base. The next batter hit a grounder into right field. I waved my son around second. It was going to be close, so I signaled him to slide.
He did. Safe at third! I picked him up, dusted him off and congratulated him.
He looked up at me with a huge grin and said,
“Dad… look what I found at first base.”
He opened his hand to proudly reveal a worm.
There I was, locked into competition and outcome while my son was having the time of his life carrying a worm around the bases.
And immediately, a line from Stripes popped into my head:
“Lighten up, Francis.”
Why Fun Gets Lost for High Achievers
For some of us, having fun doesn’t come naturally, especially for driven, results-oriented people.
Personality plays a role. High D’s (Lions) and C’s (Beavers) on the DISC profile often default to seriousness, efficiency and outcomes. High I’s (Otters) are usually the ones who bring levity and energy, especially when others unintentionally suck the air out of the room.
Work environment matters too. Some jobs are repetitive, uncomfortable and mentally draining.
A great example comes from Pike Place Fish Market in Seattle, made famous by the book FISH. The fishmongers dealt with cold mornings, smelly fish, constant tourists and monotonous routines. Morale was low.
They realized something powerful: they could choose how they showed up.
They adopted four simple principles:
- Choose your attitude
- Play
- Make the customer’s day
- Be present
The result? A playful, high-energy environment that attracted customers and boosted morale. The work didn’t change but the experience did.
Relearning How to Have Fun
Sometimes a mindset shift is enough. Other times, structure helps.
At the bottom of my daily planner, I write one thing “To Enjoy” at the end of the day. When I’m pushing through tedious or difficult work, that small reminder keeps me moving.
Weekly rest matters too. Weekends aren’t just time off. They are a reset and time to re-create.
Sundays are a great opportunity to slow down, reflect and do life differently than the rest of the week. For many, that starts with a worship service to realign priorities. A shared meal with loved ones can be a great way to reconnect and make some memories together as well. Turn off technology and play a game.
And don’t ignore your vacation days.
Most of the leaders I work with don’t even use half of the days allotted. Take some time with your family. Take time with just your spouse. And take a few days alone to reflect, recharge and think about what’s next.
A Simple 7-Day Challenge
If this is new territory, try this for one week:
- Each day, look for one way to have fun while still working hard
- Write down one thing “To Enjoy” at the end of each day
- Make Sunday intentionally different
Do this three weeks in a row and you have established a new habit.
I’d love to hear what you do to make sure fun is a regular part of your life. Share below and if you want to talk through your specific situation, feel free to reach out.
