If you enjoy reading with background music, I recommend Weightless by Marconi Union.
Back in 2013, after 3 years in London, I dipped my toes into the digital marketing pool. Today it feels more like leaping across epochs rather than years. “Working hard” seemed to be the chant of the era, but I fancied a different tune—“more and better.” That was my motto.
Picture this: me, armed with a +500-page Google Analytics book, exploring through the digital wilderness, pen and paper in hand. Having graduated from Uni with a Bachelor’s Degree in Sociology, I was used to delving deep into new topics or processes. I was juggling this with a full-time job that had me clocking out by 5 and arriving home around 6-ish, only to dive into a nightly study shift. Weekends? They were reserved for the holy trinity: some running, laundry, and studying. This non-stop effort was my not-so-secret formula for breaking into digital marketing.
Fast forward through a journey peppered with pushing limits and looping challenges, I stumbled upon a radical concept: fun at work. Having been a lone wolf in the quest for career advancement, the idea struck me as utterly alien. Yet, as I began to open up, embracing the camaraderie and support from fellow professionals, my perspective matured. It dawned on me; my vision —once again— had been incomplete.
Fuelled by curiosity and a desire for improvement, I embarked on an experiment—I dubbed it the “99.9% Fun Mode Challenge.” With a history of non-fun tactics under my belt, I sought to strike a balance. What followed was a blend of experiences and a conscious decision to leave a positive mark on everyone I encountered. “People won’t remember what you told them, but how you made them feel”—this mantra, a simplified quote attributed to American memoirist, poet, and civil rights activist Maya Angelou, became part of my toolbox.
The Transformation
Switching jobs offered me a clean slate to apply this “fun” idea. Words like “workload” and “tasks” transformed into phrases like “no ‘busy,’ just ‘fun’ days” and “what the fun is going on!” . They became my new lexicon. Surprisingly, after some time, this shift resonated with my colleagues, lightening the load even on the most hectic days.
My role often involves navigating through unexpected hiccups—thankfully, I’m no firefighter. Yet, I found that even surrounded by chaos, a little levity could ease the team’s burden. My efforts even earned me the moniker “CFO” (Chief of Fun Officer), a title that made me properly laugh and enjoy.
In managing and hiring, I applied my lessons learned, fostering a culture where work-life balance, open communication, and continuous learning were paramount. Ownership and learning from failures were encouraged, for mistakes are merely stepping stones.
Striking the Balance: Business, Ethics and Fun
Let’s face it: at the core of our professional endeavours lies a fundamental truth—we’re all here for the money. Whether it’s to pay the bills, save for the future, or indulge in our passions, financial compensation is a key motivator. Acknowledging this reality doesn’t diminish the value of our work or the impact we can make; rather, it grounds us in shared understanding and shared goals.
Whatever is it you do, you better understand what is it that you’re paid for and deliver excellent quality standards. Something that’s helped me, and not only in Digital Marketing, is that all my tasks and projects are done within time and budget.
But here’s the thing: recognizing our financial motivations doesn’t give us carta blanca (carte blanche) to sideline decency or professionalism. Why? Because being successful and being, for lack of a better word, a dickhead, should not inherently be linked. The notion that one must adopt a cutthroat attitude to climb the ladder or make a mark is not just outdated or inherently inefficient—it’s flat-out wrong.
Incorporating fun, fostering a positive environment, and treating colleagues with respect and kindness are not just add-ons to our work life; they are essential components that can coexist with our financial goals. Making a positive impact, lending a helping hand, or simply bringing a smile to someone’s face doesn’t cost a penny, yet the dividends it pays in workplace morale and personal fulfilment are im measurable.
So, while we’re all here clocking in for that paycheck at the end of the month, let’s not forget the human element. The beauty of it is that we can chase the money without chasing away the essence of who we are and the impact we wish to have. After all, the legacy we leave behind in those we work with is just as important as the numbers in our bank accounts.
Making It Count
We all aim to get the job done, but how about making it memorable? It’s entirely possible to achieve the same high-quality outcomes while also fostering a more positive impact on your team and organisation. This approach doesn’t just benefit the immediate task at hand; it cultivates a healthier, more engaging work environment that can inspire others and drive collective success. And trust me, when things don’t go as expected, when you need everyone to react to the most pressurised, not-fun-at-all situations, you can experience the difference.
It’s leaving your job knowing you are tired but happy vs leaving your job, yep, tired, but feeling miserable.
So, as we navigate our professional landscapes, why not sprinkle a little more joy into our routines? If you decide to care, consider what one change you could implement tomorrow to inject more ‘fun’ into your work. Whether it’s sharing a laugh, taking a moment to truly listen, or simply acknowledging the efforts and achievements of those around you, small acts of kindness and humour can transform the mundane into something better, worthy, and why not even truly memorable.
Let’s not just do the work; let’s enrich our workspaces with positivity, camaraderie, and ease. It takes some guts to consider our legacy beyond our compensation and savings accounts. Because ultimately, it’s not just about completing tasks but also how we do them that matters, it is about crafting lasting memories and leaving a positive impact in our wake.
