While I am not typically quick to admit it, as the father of two young boys I have watched several kid’s movies enough times to know the lines by heart. The classic movies from my day, such as Mary Poppins, Chitty-Chitty Bang-Bang and the Sound of Music, offer a refreshing relief from the comparatively intense movies produced for children today.
The line quoted above is one of my favorites, spoken just before Mary Poppins performs an inspiring Tom Sawyer-like show that inspires the children in her charge to tidy up their room. Far too often people dread work only to find themselves depleted and dour when it comes time for play or holiday. The time it takes to unwind often eats up most of the free time and the embattled and worn soldier must return to his wearisome post unrested, unhappy and unfulfilled.
Work, like play, can and should be enjoyed. Whether or not you enjoy it depends on how you handle it, not on the nature of the work. Mark Twain, in his inimitable style, noted the difference between work and play in Tom Sawyer:
If he had been a great and wise philosopher, like the writer of this book, he would now have comprehended that Work consists of whatever a body is obliged to do, and that Play consists of whatever a body is not obliged to do. And this would help him to understand why constructing artificial flowers or performing on a tread-mill is work, while rolling ten-pins or climbing Mont Blanc is only amusement.
I cannot, for the life of me, figure out why people are so willing to blindly follow the idea that work is to be disdained. Some may say that my position in the company makes it easier to enjoy work, but I can assure you that every job I have ever held, from cabinet-maker’s assistant to CEO, was thoroughly enjoyed.
Enjoyment is a radiant stance that can be maintained independent of the nature of the work you are obliged to perform. Whether you work alone or with others, on complex systems or on simple ones or doing repetitive tasks or something new every minute, you have the opportunity to enjoy what you do when you recognize that joy and enjoyment is something that can be generated from within you.
Far too often people are convinced that the source of joy is external to themselves. Life becomes an endless pursuit of situations and people that will somehow make them magically happy. Rather than enjoying what they lust after what they don’t, vainly hoping that the next thing will deliver the coveted sense of fulfillment and joy that is missing from their lives.
What about you? Are you willing to accept the challenge to find “an element of fun” in “ev’ry job that must be done”? What do you have to lose, really? A word of caution here: when it comes to enjoyment, don’t fake it until you make it. Do the work necessary to come to the point where you can truly and honestly enjoy your life.
Have a great one!
For the full excerpt of Tom Sawyer’s marvelous insight see: http://www.pbs.org/marktwain/learnmore/writings_tom.html.
Gregory Hake 
Many years ago a very influential person in my life gave me the advice “to enjoy what you are doing”. He went on to share this with me as well: “when you love what you do it does not seem like work but instead is pure joy and the day will literally fly by, yet when you do not love what you are doing it will seem like work and the day will drag by”.
I have shared this advice with many over the years for it provides great instruction in the making of right choices in our life, especially when it comes to the ‘work’ that we do.
Incidentally, haven’t you wondered who made the rule that work is not supposed to be enjoyable?
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Whatever you are doing, there is some way your work is helping someone else. I think that finding this and always improving it is a big step in being able to enjoy what you do for the long haul. This post has given me a lot of food for thought, and food for action too. Thanks!
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As you have said and demonstrated repeatedly with utmost consistency, it is in the way we handle the details. Thanks again for sharing this perspective with the world!
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Great reminder that life should be enjoyed in all areas of our life. Thanks Gregg!
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Enjoyment really does come from inside and then permeates everything that we do. Life is too short not to have fun and too long to be miserable!
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This was awesome Gregg!!!!! Supercalifragilisticexpialidocuious!!!! 🙂 I completely agree on all levels … I have a tough time relating to people that aren’t able to experience joy (even in the minutia of daily tasks)
On a personal note: When I was in charge of running a front desk of a hotel in college – I watched as customers would come in sad and miserable. Very often – hotels are the last place people want to be. It became my VERY personal goal to make every person that I helped smile before they walked away from my desk. If they didn’t, I would amp it up with courtesy calls after check in or extra towels delivered for no reason. I had SO much fun and took pride in the way that everyone knew my name and smiled at ME before they left. LOVED that job! The year I was in charge my hotel happened to win the “Comfort Inn on the Year Award” rated on mystery stays in every CI in the world!!!!!!! It’s amazing how loving what you do effects everyone around you!
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Gabrahn said”Work is love made visible”. If we’re here to give love why would 8 hours or more a day be dedicated to “just putting your time in”. It doesn’t make sense. Mary Poppins is right again. If I remember correctly she loves to laugh too.
Thanks for the adorable clip and the reminder that there are some sweet things to watch!…Maybe I’ll rent it!!!!!
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Well said! Enjoyment comes from inside of us…….all we have to do is let it out. Attitude is key.
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