The broadCAST™ is a monthly weigh in by members of The CAST™ of Epic Engage™. Independent experts in their own right, members of The CAST™ are asked to answer a question of simple but possibly profound nature. We wholeheartedly encourage you to connect with these experts. They each bring great value in service to their work. That being said, and for August 2016, we ask The CAST™:
What is your best advice for making one’s work fun?
RAY HOLLISTER SAYS…
What is my best advice for making one’s work fun? My answer and advice is very simple; CHANGE YOUR ATTITUDE! When you think about it, even the word ‘work’ lends itself to something unpleasant! “Changing your attitude, as well as your focus, will have an enormous impact on whether or not you try to have fun at work, or try to work at having fun.” Share that with others! In fact, Tweet it, Facebook it, Snapchat it, turn it into a poster on Instagram or Pinterest – but share it! You never know, you may accidentally stumble into making your work fun. That’s it. Short. Simple. FUN!
Ray Hollister is all about resilience and potential. He works with organizations to reveal extraordinary resilience and unlimited potential in everyone. His powerful presentations will not only energize and inspire you, but also reveal how YOU can make radical, immediate changes to how you perceive, handle, and experience adversity resulting in experiencing life in a new and thrilling way. www.rayhollister.net
JOEL SWEENEY SAYS….
My best advice for this question is to find something you love to do; something that you’re passionate about. Do something that will make a difference. For me it is helping entrepreneurs and business professionals become confident, engaging and effective speakers. I do that through training, coaching and writing. Once you have found your passion focus in on it. Become an expert at it. Be clear about what you do, whom you do it for and what the benefits are. I get great satisfaction in knowing that what I do makes a difference. It is very gratifying to witness the transition from extreme anxiety about public speaking to becoming a confident, engaging and effective speaker. Be a life-long learner. There is something exciting about learning something new, being exposed to new ideas and finding new ways of doing things. Be like a sponge. Soak up every opportunity to learn. We live in an era where we can get information on anything we can imagine. It is literally at our fingertips. Not only does this improve your ability to impact others it also makes you feel good to know you are advancing your skills. When you are passionate about what you do it is no longer work. It becomes part of your fun. Keep it that way by celebrating every fun moment you experience.
Joel Sweeney is all about effective communications. He has been speaking, training, coaching and writing about it for over 20 years. He is the author of The Wedding MC Handbook and Little Helpings of Food for Thought. His third book, The Speaker’s Tool Box – Perfecting the Craft of Speaking, was released in the 2015. He is the owner of Professionally Speaking (established in 1995). Joel helps entrepreneurs and business professional become effective, engaging and confident speakers. www.JoelSweeney.com
MAJEED MOGHARREBAN SAYS…
Majeed Mogharreban is all about entrepreneurship. He owned and sold five successful businesses and traveled to 24 countries before he was 21 years old. After early success in business, now his mission is to support the next generation of entrepreneurs to make a difference doing what they love. With clients ranging from the United Nations, to start-up businesses, to an Olympic gold medalist, Majeed helps you discover your strengths and your passions so that work is meaningful and fun. His book, Winning At Life, is a guide for young people to make a plan and win at life. www.majeedm.com
LAURIE PINHORN SAYS…
This is my Step #1 – Teaching people that eating healthy food can be super yummy and fun! When people make the decision to start getting healthy they know that food plays an important role in their health plan. Most people are scared to make changes to their food because they have experiences with being on restrictive short term old fashion diets. They think that food is the problem. I really want people to relax and start to see food as offering the solution; that it is OK to eat. I help people understand that you actually have to eat, because if you want to manage your mood and appetite you have to stay ahead of your hunger. There is nothing less fun than feeling hunger all of the time. I try and get people to rebuild their relationship with food and enjoy the fact that you can eat! Get back in your kitchen, plan meals, put the music on and get cooking!
Laurie Pinhorn is all about nutrition and whole health. She is a registered social worker, holistic and therapeutic nutritionist, an Orthomolecular Health Practitioner and a member of The Academy of Naturopaths and Naturotherapists (ANN). She is a passionate speaker, educator and service provider on the subject of nutrition and its connection to mental and physical health. She works with individuals, families, groups and corporations to design and deliver nutrition and wellness programs to optimize health and performance. With a diverse 20 year background in clinical social work, holistic nutrition and physical fitness; Laurie’s hybrid of expertise is very unique. Laurie holds a Bachelor of Science (Psychology and Biology), Bachelor of Social Work, and a Masters in Holistic Nutrition from the Edison Institute of Nutrition, focusing on the nutrition and mental health connection as it specifically relates to Autism, Anxiety and ADHD. www.lauriepinhorn.com
TRENT LANGDON SAYS…
We spend our waking hours (since the work day seems to hang on to those of us in the human service industry) in essential roles putting forth our best efforts to impact others and the communities we serve. These roles require solid decision-making and a steadfastness of character that is physically and emotionally taxing… with burn-out as a common result. Solution? Create opportunities to simplify your day and infuse it with some levity. Just a few examples to start the mind-shift:
- Rewind to your college years and pull a practical joke (safe & kind!) on a colleague
- Wear a Hallowe’en costume to work (on Hallowe’en of course)
- Build a staff event (campfire on the beach?) to boost morale
- Give out bingo cards and draw a number each day for the month! (Prize: turkey)
- Start each staff meeting with a ‘funny’… a different staff person sharing each time
All of these examples have been tried and are truly effective. Build your own and your personal experience and the culture of your workplace will surely benefit.
Trent Langdon, M.Ed, Canadian Certified Counsellor is all about legacy and building yours by rewriting your ‘game plan’ or rejuvenating your organization’s foundations. Trent is a strong believer that success and contentment is achievable through actions of integrity and character; for an individual or an organization. With more than 20 years of experience as a CHANGE AGENT for children, adolescents, families, schools, communities, and professionals, Trent can walk with you toward Personal Development and Discovery, Organizational Review and Renewal, and A Career / Life Plan for Teens. www.epicengage.com
SHEENA GROBB SAYS…
Sheena Grobb Singer/Songwriter and Speaker… is humbly amazing. “It is without a doubt a masterpiece of songwriting and soundscape. Really incredible, soulful music. She will definitely get a huge audience in time, trust me.” Alex Wharton, Abbey Road Studios. A songbird from the age of two, songwriter at ten, with 3 albums under her belt, a nomination for the Western Canadian Music Awards, and over 500 tour dates across Canada, the US, and the UK, Sheena Grobb (one of Canada’s best kept secrets) is spilling over. With the release of her newest album, The Breakless Heart, mastered at Abbey Road Studios in London, and a life changing music video created by Lindsey Nelko (past choreographer with So You Think You Can Dance), Sheena is embarking on her most meaningful project yet – The Living Compassion Project™ – inviting others to “unlock their lives” through sharing their stories… as she begins to share hers. www.sheenagrobb.com
BARRY LEWIS GREEN SAYS…
Wow, what can I add to this? Of late, I am reading the books Essentialism by Greg McKeown, Magnetic by Joe Calloway and Sacred Contracts by Caroline Myss. I am reading ongoing works around character and leadership as well. My point? Get clear, get simple. To echo guidance by other members of The CAST™, I believe in the virtue of Purposefulness as the best form of passion. Purposefulness is that intersection of the things we love to do (our passions… make that list), with what is most needed by those we hope to serve (our service… identify who you make want to serve), and the ways to make a living doing so (our living… it is important to sustain you). In other words, I believe that work that is sustaining, loved and of service is joyful by its nature and worthy of seeking out and pursuing in life. The book What Color is Your Parachute? by Richard Bolles can so help in finding that. As I noted in the last broadCAST™ for July, LP Jacks spoke to the idea of the master in the art of living as one who “draws no sharp distinction between his work and his play; his labor and his leisure; his mind and his body; his education and his recreation. He hardly knows which is which. He simply pursues his vision of excellence through whatever he is doing, and leaves others to determine whether he is working or playing. To himself, he always appears to be doing both.” I believe this speaks to work that is joyful. That all being said, if you cannot be in the work you love (right now) then love the work you are with. That implies that you give it your best in the work itself and how you interact at work. Bring that attitude that Ray speaks of… it is a significant portion of your life, until you find THE work. Giving it your best will stimulate healthy pride and joy… and lead to more opportunities. Joyful excellence at what we are doing now is the path to purposefulness; and purposefulness is the path to joyfulness. Oh, and by the way… lose yourself to that innocent and silly rebel along the way and from time to time. It’s called your heart. 🙂
Barry Lewis Green is an educator. He is a dynamic motivator. Yes, he is a motivational speaker of substance. He is an expert who speaks. Barry is The Unity Guy™. EPIC Engage™ is an extension of The Unity Guy™. It is a team with a mission born of Barry’s work. He is about epic and noble leadership and wholehearted communities at work, school and everywhere; advancing together in thought, will and action. He is about uniting diverse talent to create cultures of growth. www.epicengage.com
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