In his latest book, The Power of Having Fun, productivity expert Dave Crenshaw gives us permission to have fun. Seriously! According to Crenshaw, we all need to take breaks—lots of them—every day, week, month, and year. In fact, the best way to be productive is to have fun every day all year long. So, Crenshaw teaches us how to incorporate having fun into every aspect of our lives. After you listen to him, you’ll be back in the sandbox taking back your recess time!

00:15  Intro to Dave Crenshaw, author of The Power of Having Fun

01:10 Having fun helps us be more productive

02:10 Crenshaw uses “desert” and “oasis” metaphors

02:25 “Desert” = an extended period of deprivation and/or chaos (as defined by you)

03:45 Most common deserts: career and retirement

05:40 59% of people unhappy at work but push hard to retirement anyway

06:20 Taking time for an “oasis” actually helps us get to the other side

06:50 Oasis = a planned, scheduled break (as defined by you)

07:20 Taking a vacation can perpetuate the “desert” mentality

08:00 More than 600 million vacation days go unused annually

08:30 Hard work necessary for success

08:40 10% of our awake time should be “oasis” time

09:25 Prescheduled times to step away from work refreshes us

09:45 “W.I.S.H.”  - worth it someday, hopefully

10:25 Permission – the first stage of having fun (not feeling guilty)

10:45 Research shows those deprived of dopamine get worse at task

12:10 Short breaks (not a vacation) help us perform better

13:30 Clearly defined fun time (not one activity coupled with another)

14:00 If you’re traveling through the desert, is water something you earn for good behavior?

14:15 Fun is a requirement!

15:05 Playing is almost a human right

15:45 “W.I.N.” – worth it now

16:05 Discovery – tough step for adults who’ve forgotten how they like having fun

17:00 “Recess” has been stolen from us

17:10 World Health Organization (WHO) determined playing is a basic right of children

17:30 Children with recess time pay attention and have fewer behavioral problems

18:40 Children always find a way to play, have fun, and entertain themselves

20:10 Lean away from costly breaks; save those for yearly play

20:30 Oasis intervals (daily, weekly, monthly, yearly) determine time and money spent

21:25 Most of our fun should be free to very inexpensive

22:10 It’s not time management; its focus management

22:30 Massive difference between being distracted and having fun

23:10 Trap: waiting to finish everything before having fun

23:35 Oasis should be one of the first things on the schedule

24:25 How to create and honor a family oasis

25:15 Relationship deserts let them dry up and fall apart while driving toward success

26:25 Spending time in loving relationships enhances our business endeavors

26:30 If you want children to succeed in school, have fun with them

27:00 “Me” time vs. “them” time: planning family oasis time that suits the needs of others

30:00 We have far more control over our own time than we think

31:10 Discover your “ultradian rhythm” – work/activity cycle within a day (90-120 min.)

33:20 Trust that fun and play truly makes you more productive

34:10 Staying at home with children can be its own desert

34:40 Find a moment – a gap in the day – then reserve it, guard it

35:30 Anticipating the fun can help get us through the desert (a “pre-ward,” not a reward)

37:10 Recommendation: “How to Have Fun Like Children: 15 Joyful Tips” by Nan Nanton

BUY The Power of Having Fun: How Meaningful Breaks Help You Get More Done

Check out Dave's website!

Get 15 ideas for how to have fun like children, a blog post on the “Tiny Buddha” website

Connect with us!

• Facebook
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• Twitter
• YouTube

Special thanks…

• Music Credit
• Sound Editing Credit

 

 

 

 

BUY The Power of Having Fun: How Meaningful Breaks Help You Get More Done

Get 15 ideas for how to have fun like children on the “Tiny Buddha” website.

Connect with us!

• Facebook
• Instagram
• Twitter
• YouTube
• Website

Special thanks…

• Music Credit
• Sound Editing Credit