What Are Your 'Fun Goals'?
"I know that there is nothing better for [people] than to be happy and do good while they live. That everyone may eat and drink, and find satisfaction in all his toil - this is the gift of God."
-- King Solomon (Ecclesiastes 3:12-13)
By the time you read this, I’ll be in Florida enjoying some “fun time” with a few girlfriends. My trip, which is purely for the fun and fellowship (and time in my favorite environment – the beach!), is a catalyst for what I’d like to share with you this week.
A coaching client shared a list of goals with me recently. At the end of her list of financial, family, career and health goals, she mentioned a category she simply calls “fun goals.” Although I plan fun things, I never considered it as a separate category. But I see the value in planning fun right alongside all of those serious goals you’ve got in your vision. So my question for you this week is one for you to ponder and play with:
What are your fun goals this year?
Here are a few ideas to get you started:
1. Have Fun Goals for Every Week, Month, Year (Or Whatever Time Frame Suits You)
Life can become hectic, routine and mundane if you aren’t intentional about doing things you love and enjoy. Create fun things to look forward to on a consistent basis. The annual fun goal may be something that takes more planning and time than the kinds of things you do on a weekly basis.
2. Choose Goals That Make You Laugh, Smile or Get Excited
Close your eyes for a moment. Take a deep breath and let it out as slowly as you can. Now … what excites you, makes you smile and have a good time? What fun have you thought about having, but haven’t done it in a while or at all? Make a list – just for fun.
3. Choose What You Really Want to Do, Not What You Think You Shoud Do or What Others Think You Should Do
Having fun is about what makes your heart merry. Let go of ideas that are appealing to others, but not that exciting to you. This doesn’t mean that you should not do things with others that are fun for them. It simply means that should also have activities in your life that are fun FOR YOU.
4. Don't Make it Complicated
You can have fun in the simplest ways. Don’t make your goals cumbersome or complicated. If you do, they won’t be much fun, will they? :)
5. Keep a Fun File
I created a file in my desk that’s labeled “fun.” Anytime an idea for something I’d like to do comes to mind or crosses my path, I put it in the fun file. Perhaps for you, it’s a fun bowl. Write your fun ideas of little pieces of paper, fold them and put them in a basket or bowl. When the time comes, reach in, pull one out and go have some fun.
My challenge to you this week:
Have more fun! Do something this week purely for the fun of it.
Journaling assignment:
What kinds of things would you like to do to enjoy more fun in your life? What’s kept you from having fun in the past? What could you do to make more room for fun in your life?
