Contributed by Laura E. Rios.

Albert Einstein said, “Creativity is intelligence having fun.”

Coincidentally, fun starts with F which is the letter for today.

Image source: Pixabay

I used to work in a university physics department, where I developed a respect and liking for Albert, and I think he’s right. Truly creative people are intelligent, but using your brain to work and produce can, over time, cause brain drain. The best remedy for this is FUN.

Forbes considered fun important enough to have published this online article that appeared under the “Leadership” heading in September 2020:

“15 Fun Stress-Reducer Games and Activities for Remote Employees”

While most of us reading this blog are most likely writers or people who are interested in becoming writers, I think we can all agree that the process of writing bears some similarity to remote workers. It’s usually a solitary activity. Often it’s just you, a desk, and a computer trying to be productive. The alone-ness can wear on you. There needs to be an occasional break for fun. What a good stand-up-and-stretch does for you physically, fun can do for you mentally and emotionally.

Here are just a few of the fun stress relievers recommended in the Forbes e-zine article:

Playing online games like Scattergories or Bingo. There’s also Words with Friends or Yahtzee, Mahjong or even Candy Crush if you must. They’re not really suggesting that you spend all your work time playing games, but taking some five minute breaks throughout the day to play a few game turns allows for a mental mini-vacation; fun lets your brain to take a brief and much-needed rest. If playing games on your phone or computer aren’t your idea of play, then doodle while you listen to music. Grab your yoga mat and do some fun poses. Work a crossword puzzle for a few minutes, or color a quick picture.

Taking a virtual coffee break with your fellow workers, wherever they may be.  If you’re a writer, surely you know another couple of writers with whom you can take such a break once or twice a week via Zoom.  Spend 10 minutes to share a coffee, some chit-chat, and a few laughs.

Host a Lunch and Learn

Forbes suggested connecting remote team members at lunch time, again via Zoom. You might arrange for a friend to talk about how she organizes her notes for a new project, or how she outlines her story ideas. You might invite a small group of fellow writers to hold a “show and tell” to briefly discuss what everyone’s been doing. Or, simply have lunch and chat together, which is still fun, and fun starts with F and that’s what it’s all about today.

Clearly, if a no-nonsense publication like Forbes is suggesting that we have fun to banish feelings of isolation and bolster productivity, then by gosh, maybe we should take this fun stuff more seriously.

You can read the full 09/23/2020 Forbes article here.

In a Business Insider article entitled “How to Unlock Your Creativity According to Science”, it was recommended that we:

“Have fun”

Why do you think Google employees are encouraged to play beach volleyball and go bowling while on the clock? It’s been proven that having fun engages the creative side of the brain. Additionally, “play” can decrease stress levels, increase optimism, boost motivation and improve overall concentration.

It might seem silly and counter-productive, but play and be spontaneous daily, especially if you’re in a rut. Creativity aside, it’s always important to make the time for fun.”

(This was the third item listed in the article on unlocking creativity that I spotted on a feature called Insider. The original article can be found on Inc. Copyright 2016. You can follow Inc. on Twitter.) From https://www.businessinsider.com/how-to-unlock-your-creativity-according-to-science-2016-9#have-fun-3

So… Forbes. Business Insider. These are some serious and respected publications that reach lots of corporate types who value profitability and treasure productive employees. If they recommend taking time out for fun, then maybe we should sit up and take notice. The methods for making employees happy and productive in the workplace can be applied no matter where your workplace is, and even if you for yourself and your only product is whatever you write.

The idea is simple, really. The proverb “All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy” was first recorded in 1659 in James Howell’s Proverbs. What it means is this: a lack of balance between work and relaxation (aka fun) renders a person dull and stunted, holistically speaking.

Raise your hand if you feel dull and stunted sometimes. Aha! I thought so. The way to change all that is to start having some fun in small ways each and every day. Fun creates enthusiasm and energy, and who doesn’t want more of that?

Look for a way to make the writing process fun. Be a little silly sometimes. Have your characters talk in song titles for a while, and make it work.

“Two out of three ain’t bad,” Mary said with conviction. “It’s all coming back to me now. I believe in life after love.”  

He stared at her and slowly replied, “I love you so. I’ll leave the door open. Stay.”

(Now come on, admit it, that’s fun, I don’t care who you are.)

Or try this: think of five short, random titles. Then, write a paragraph or two based solely on each title. Decide which one sounds more promising and keep going with it. See? Fun.

Bob Basso has been called America’s number one fun motivator by People magazine. He said, “If it’s not fun, you’re not doing it right.” Let’s start doing it right!  Whatever your brand of fun is, I’m suggesting you add a bit more of it to your daily productive time – whatever it is that you do – and just see if it doesn’t make you a wee bit more creative and productive. You have nothing to lose and much to gain.