Inspiring Workplaces: How Are You Spending Your Down Time?

Published: Wed, 02/07/18

Humor at Work

ISSUE 714 - Feb. 7, 2018


			How Are You Spending Your Down Time?

	Are you getting the most out of your down times at work? How you spend your breaks at work can have a huge impact on your overall performance at work, long term health and workplace culture... I suggested the idea of "random coffee dates" at work a few months ago, where employees are randomly paired up with each other for coffee, so it was great to see an article by the CEO of Hootsuite raving about how random coffee dates transformed their culture, upped the level of fun at work, broke down barriers and improved communication in their company. Research reported in the Academy of Management Journal found that taking a proper lunch can have a huge impact on performance. When employees take real lunch breaks and focus on non-work activities (including no time on social media) they show less exhaustion, they manage stress better, and have more energy, which is why companies such as CBRE in Toronto has banned desk lunches from their workplace. A University of California study found that afternoon naps expand the brain's capacity to learn and store information, boost moods, improve short term memory, and increase feelings of "flow" where people perform at optimal levels. It's no wonder then that companies such as Uber, Nike, Zappos, and Ben and Jerry's have created napping spaces for employees.

		Mike's Fun at Work Tip

Peace Dolphin here with another alter-ego name generator for you to try out at your next meeting or to add a bit of fun to a Friday (writing them down on "Hello my name is ____" stickers works great): This time it's your alter ego Hippie Name which can be found right here: My Hippie Name!
		Quote of the Week

“When people are laughing they’re generally not killing each other.” Alan Alda
		It's a Wacky World

Why did the chicken STOP crossing the road? The New Hampshire legislature is considering passing a motion that would make trespassing fowl a violation. Which means, yes, the chicken would not be able to cross the road without a permit! I have no idea how this will impact all those "Why did the chicken cross the road jokes?" ...but it looks like foul play to me.

Cost-Savings to Book Mike to Speak:
Kelowna: April 23-25
Montreal: May 1-3
Vancouver: June 20-25
Vancouver: Sept. 22-25
Winnipeg: Oct 15 -16

Manager Shift Webinar - Feb 21st!
Want an easier way to motivate your staff and get them to take more ownership of their work? If so, my pal James Robbins is doing a fabulous webinar on February 21st called The Manager Shift where he walks you through a powerful framework that thousands of managers around the world are using to make leading their employees easier and simpler. Register RIGHT HERE!

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