Inspiring Workplaces 
The Way Work Ought to Be!

#1,122- April 29, 2026

As we close out Humor Month, I want to leave you with a reminder of the power of embracing humor as a regular habit in your workplace and in your life. 

According to studies referenced in the book The Humor Habit by Paul Osincup, people who turn humor into a regular habit by intentionally finding the funny in life and making it a habit to consume more humor are:   

• Twice as likely to find a silver lining in a negative situation 
• More likely to appreciate the small things and find the beauty in life  
• 44% less likely to get upset over minor issues 
• Less likely to complain (50% less likely!) 
• Twice as likely to see obstacles as being temporary 
• Five times more likely to find me at least "mildly amusing" (okay, this one I may have made up) 
• Far more likely to view hardships as an opportunity to learn 

But wait! There's more! 

71% of employees with a humor habit report being very satisfied with their jobs, versus 52% of employees who do not practice or appreciate humor in a regular basis!   

So, how do you turn humor into a habit? Here are my three suggestions. 

1. Start a humor file to compile anything and everything you find funny. This forces you to be more observant and aware, and trains your brain to be on the look out for the funny side of life. 

2. Be more intentional about the amount of humor you read and watch. This might sound trivial, but studies show it makes a difference to our mental well being.  

3. Slow down and notice what you notice. Be more present. Be more observant. If you're taking an Uber, bus, or rickshaw into work  you won't find the funny in the world staring at your phone. As comedian Steven Wright said, “I don't go 'I'm going to write a joke.' I just go through the world and see stuff. I exercise the part of my mind of noticing things to the point where I'm now noticing things without even trying to notice them."   

Speaking of turning humor into a habit, in my virtual presentation Putting Humor to Work for Less Stress & More Success! on Thursday May 7, I'll share examples of humor at work from around the globe and you'll learn how humor can be used to engage and recognize employees, help your communication stand out from the herd to be heard, make your meetings more effective, improve customer experience, and create a more resilient workplace that fuels extraordinary results. 

And if you can't make the live presentation you'll still have access to the recording and the follow-up resources including the eBook "401 Ways to Create a More Inspiring and Fun Workplace" and an access code to view any of my previous virtual presentations at a 50% off rate. 

For those who attend the live event there will be door prizes and bonus resources! But if you can't make the live event you'll still have access to the recording, so sign up while supplies of me last!