| Humor at Work |
ISSUE 706 - Nov. 29, 2017 |
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The Attraction of Distraction |
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We tend to think distractions are always a bad thing, but are there times when an intentional distraction is just what the workplace doctor ordered?
When Alfred Hitchcock and his co-writers reached an impasse on a screenplay, Hitchcock would ask everyone to stop focusing on the script and share a story with each other. Screenwriter Aaron Sorkin (The West Wing, The Social Network) hops into the shower every time he faces writer's block. One of my clients has a "Walk It Off" meeting rule - when tensions rise in a meeting, they call a ten minute timeout and every meeting participant has to go for a walk, alone with
their thoughts, before reconvening. Another client has a ritual in their meeting where they squeeze a squeaking rubber chicken to signal it's time for an official "humor break" - either when tensions have risen, or when the group has hit a wall brainstorming.
According to Harvard University psychology researcher Shelley H. Carson, distraction can be beneficial in three ways:
1. Distractions offer different and more stimulus leading to greater creativity.
2. Distractions push aside mental debris and help our minds zero in on a solution because the decision-making part of our brains is still active while we're distracted by something else. You've experienced this if you've ever put down the crossword puzzle in frustration over a clue, only to easily solve it an hour later!
3. Distractions can improve moods. Carson's research found that when people are distracted they notice more things, their minds open up, and their overall moods substantially improve.
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Mike's Fun at Work Tip |
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Licorice Emberleaves here! Hand out "My Name is _____" labels to your teammates and have everyone write down their official elf name. They can either create their own or use the Alter Ego Elf Name Generator to create their elf name. It's a simple way to add some silly fun to a Friday in December, staff luncheon, or year-end party.  |
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Quote of the Week |
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“Seize the moment. Think of all those women on the Titanic who waved off the dessert cart." Erma Bombeck
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It's a Wacky World |
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December is official Learn a Foreign Language Month, Read a New Book Month, and Stress-Free Holidays Month! As always, I've posted the December theme days, including such notables as...
December 1: Bifocals at the Monitor Liberation Day
December 2: Bartender Appreciation Day
December 5: Bathtub Party Day
December 8: Pretend To Be a Time Traveler Day
December 12: Gingerbread House Day
December 15: Ugly Christmas Sweater Day/Cat Herders Day
December 17: Maple Syrup Day
December 18: Answer the Phone Like Buddy the Elf Day
December 20: Games Day
December 21: Short Girl Appreciation Day
December 26: Thank-you Note Day/Whiners Day
December 27: Fruitcake Day
December 31: Look on the Bright Side Day
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Cost-Savings to Book Mike to Speak:
Hawaii: Jan 4-12
Arizona: Jan 22-26
Moncton: Jan 31-Feb 3
Lethbridge: Feb 14-16
New Zealand: Feb 20-28
Kelowna: April 23-25
Wacky Office Fun
Speaking of fun workplace distractions, here are 10 Offbeat, Wacky Traditions to Make Your Workplace More Fun!
Fun Office Awards
Check out these offbeat, funny employee awards for your year-end party, Friday staff luncheon, or next awards ceremony: 101 Funny Employee Awards
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Copyright © 2017 Humor at Work. All Rights Reserved.
mike@mikekerr.com
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