The Power Of Fun
I really enjoyed this book! It was practical and to the point and gave good applications. Signs of true fun:
Laughter
Sense of release/freedom/letting go
Feeling like you’re having a special, shared experience
Losing track of time
Feeling free from self-judgement and self-consciousness
Feeling like you’ve temporarily “stepped out’ of normal life
Being fully absorbed and present
Not caring too much about the outcome
Feeling of childlike excitement and joy
A positive boost in energy
Feeling totally yourself
The author suggests a fun audit:
Know the signs of fun
Establish a baseline
Take your fun history
Keep a fun times journal
“Reflect back on three experiences in your life that you would describe as true fun. Please try to focus on memories where fun is the dominant descriptor. Once you have one in mind, close your eyes and try to put your self back in the moment. What exactly were you doing/ where were you? How old were you? What objects were involved, who were you with? What in particular made it feel so fun?” Questions that might help:
What were you passionate about when you were a kid?
When in your life have you laughed the hardest? What are some of your favorite memories of holidays, celebrations, or traditions?
What’s a time when you felt playfully rebellious or harmlessly deviant?
What are some moments from your life in which you felt the most alive? What were you doing? Who were you with?
Which people are often present in the moments when you have the most fun?
Ways to Find your Fun:
1. Know the preconditions for fun (being engaged and present, not feeling judged or self-conscious, going all-in, not caring too much about the outcome, being with other people)
2. Find your fun magnets
3. Find your fun factors (what about your fun magnets make them fun for you?)
Playfulness (which help you feel playful?)
Silliness, creativity, imagination, intellectual stimulation, challenges, gaems, absurdity, uncertainly, spontinaety, control, loss of control
Connection (which style do you prefer?)
Big groups, small groups, intimacy, strangers, anonymity, being alone, teamwork, community, teaching, leading, sexuality
Flow (which help you get into the flow)
Physicality, nature, music, risk, thrill-seeking, performance, being the center of attention, leadning, demonstrating mastry, sensuality, competition, novelty
4. Recognize your anti-fun factors (what turns off the above things?)
