Wheel of Life: Fun & Recreation
One of the important “spokes” on the Wheel of Life, that I have blogged about in the past, is Fun & Recreation. In working with over 3,000 clients I have found that when time gets tight this is one of the first things to be sacrificed by most people. I have come to the conclusion that this is not the wisest path to take.
Fun & Recreation are important, even critical, to one’s self-renewal. Even break down the word “recreation” and what do you have? Re-Creation! We need to constantly re-create and renew ourselves. Human Beings are so-wired that we need to have fun and laugh and smile. In fact, we are hard-wired for this. It is a proven fact that just smiling, even when you don’t feel like doing so, will release a very small amount of endorphins in the brain, the very chemical that causes us to feel good. Keep smiling long enough, and eventually you really do feel like smiling. Add laughter to that equation and look out, you’re feeling pretty great before you know it. Engage in activities you personally find to be fun and recreational and you are getting some much-needed renewal.
One of the exercises I assign to my Coaching Clients is called, “20 Things I Love To Do”. Basically, it’s like this:
Take out a piece of paper, or turn on you computer and begin brainstorming things that you love to do. Never mind how long it’s been since you last did it. Maybe it was yesterday for some, or 20 years ago for others. The point is that it’s a brainstorm, so no “editing” while you’re writing. Come up with at least 20 things and put them on your list.
Next, ask the following questions for each of the items you brainstormed:
1. How long since I last did this?
2. Do I prefer to do it alone, or with someone?
3. Is it Job Related?
4. Is it generally done spontaneously, or does it require some planning?
5. Is it more fast-paced, or slow-paced?
6. Is it Mental, Physical, Social, or Spiritual (or any combination of the four)?
7. Does it cost money, or is it free?
The answers to these questions are merely to shed a little insight into the things you love to do, and help you choose what you might do next, and then do it.
So, don’t delay. Having Fun and Re-Creating are critical to your success and happiness. I suggest you start right away.
If you would like to see what your Balance Score is for Fun & Recreation in your life, just click the link below to take a Free Personal Assessment of your balance.
To Your Success!
Kip Kint
Success Coach & President
Mission Ignition, Inc.