SUCCESS CAN BE FUN

Have you noticed that some people on their road to success feel it is a serious business and lose their ability to have fun? I have found that there is a ‘secret ingredient’ that they may be missing to achieve that success faster, easier and most of all, healthier. It is humour.

Nothing works faster or more reliably to bring your mind and body back into balance than a good laugh. Humour inspires, motivates, connects you to others, and keeps you grounded, focused, and alert.

Humour has been reported to do many positive things to your body. It's responsible for elevating your mood, breaking up boredom, reducing fatigue, and gives you a more flexible outlook on life. It also boosts your immune system, reduces stress, relaxes muscles and lowers your blood pressure.

Observational humour is the healthiest of all humour. People who use this type of humour have a unique outlook on life. They are always able to see the bright side of things and they don't take themselves too seriously. This enables them to deal more easily with daily stress in their life at work and at home. Observational humour is the only type of humour which can be enjoyed alone. As a result, studies linking humour with health have tended to support this type of humour.

It is well known that children learn more through play, so here are a few tips on how to be successful through fun.

Limit sarcasm - It has the potential to be taken the wrong way in a work environment.

Joke appropriately - Don't just memorise the latest joke making the rounds on email. Tailor your jokes to the individual or situation, and keep them clean.

Be funny - Making a funny comment to diffuse tension is a great idea, but don't overdo it.

Surround yourself with positive and fun people - Spend time with those who are upbeat and avoid negative people whenever possible.

Laugh with others - You can be seen as having a great sense of humour without ever telling a joke. Just listen to those around you and share in their laughter.

Today, let go and have fun - Remind yourself to have fun and laugh every day.

Kirsty O'Callaghan www.unity-qld.com.au

A Message for the New Year.

Welcome to 2011, I hope you all have many amazing adventures this year that bring you many blessings.
I would like to take a moment to recognize the flood victims in Queensland who are undergoing an extremely distressing experience right now. There are many that have lost everything and many who have lost some. Whatever is their personal experience and pain, I am sure they would all benefit from your loving, healing and kind thoughts, words and/or deeds at this time.
As happens in times of tragedy, you hear about stories of communities coming together. I would like to take this as a personal reminder to suggest that we all:-
Identify our community, personally and professionally
Think of how you can support your community and/or help in some way regularly
If there is something you can do to make a difference to someone else this year, who is it and what would it be?
I put out the challenge to all those not affected by a natural disaster, to help someone anyway. To get to know those in your street, community, school, workplace; foster and nurture meaningful relationships and build a community that cares, not just one that helps when the pressure is on!
Have a wonderful January. Kirsty.
www.unity-qld.com.au