WORK SHOULD BE FUN

Hello my friends, and once again welcome to my Blah, Blah, Blah, Blog. Well I am about to launch my new video Demo. I must say that it is the best video I have ever done. Thanks to the great Ed Primeau and Shelly Sink.

Ed has been my business associate and close friend for over 16 years. He is without a doubt the “Ultimate Expert” on video and audio production. What separates Ed from anyone else in his field, (besides the fact that he’s the best) is his ability to make business personal. Let me explain.

Creating a video demo and product for speakers is not an easy task. After all, you’re dealing with arguably the two biggest marketing tools in the speaking industry. There are a lot of egos to stroke, deadlines to be met, and money to be spent. Through the entire step by step process Ed assures everyone he works with that their needs are being taken care of.

Ed’s greatest quality and I believe his strongest asset is his ability is to enjoy the process of whatever he is creating. I spent 3 days in his studio and through all the snags, setbacks, and mishaps, the laughter was non-stop. Ed Primeau is a Humor Being to the tenth-power. He always manages to see the humor in the midst of frustrating and challenging situations. It is this very quality that enables him to bounce back and continue from a healthier, more productive mind-set. Laughter instantly clears the mind of negative clutter and rejuvenates burn-out better than anything I know. Laughter also ignites the creative process.

Studies have shown that those who make conscious choices to enjoy themselves and laugh throughout the day are more creative, productive, and resilient to challenging problems. They are also more likely to easily find solutions to complex problems. In other words, focusing on your happiness makes you smarter. How smart are you, dear reader?

“Intellectual benefits of a good laugh,” says Daniel Goleman, author of Emotional Intelligence, “Are most striking when it comes to solving problems that demand a creative solution.”

One study found that people who had just watched a video of television bloopers were better at solving a puzzle often used by psychologists to test creative thinking. In the test, people are given a candle, matches and a box of tacks. They are asked to attach the candle to a corkboard wall so that it burns without dripping wax on the floor.

“Given the challenge, most people fall into ‘functional fixedness.” says Goleman. “They think about using the objects in the most conventional ways. But people who have just watched a funny film, compared to people who have watched a film about math or who have exercised, were more likely to see an alternative use for the box holding the tacks. They come up with the creative solution of tacking the box to the wall and using it as a candleholder.”

A study done at San Diego State University followed students who thoroughly enjoyed themselves as they attended a series of lectures that contained wit, laughter, and anecdotes. These students achieved higher test scores than students who attended the same lectures without the humorous elements. Why? Because they were Enjoying The Process!

One time Ed was video taping me for one of my “Rizzo’s Secret Minute To Success” segments. It was near the end of a really long day, my energy level was at rock bottom and it was getting increasingly difficult to concentrate. We were on the 27th take and my nerves were beginning to unravel. For some reason Ed finds it very amusing when I get frustrated. Just when I was one sentence away from finishing the shoot, Ed’s dog Tanya came into the studio and decided to bark. For a moment there was silence. I shook my head in disgust and blurted, “That’s it!””I quit!” I glanced over at Ed who was trying with all his might to refrain from laughing. “What the h~*! is so funny!” I said. Then he lost all control and went into hysteria. Wiping the tears from his eyes and trying to catch his breath, he said, “You should have seen the look on your face!” Then he mimicked my expression. There is truth to the phrase “Laughter is contagious;” because it didn’t take long before I was infected. We both laughed for quite some time. What really drove us over the edge was when we reviewed the 27 takes or should I say Bloopers. It really was amusing to see myself getting frustrated and to hear myself swear.

I am certain that the laughter gave us the time out we needed to unwind and relax. It literally lifted our spirits and gave us enough energy to finish the project on the next take.

The fact is, and you can prove this to yourself at any time, if you’re having fun at work everyone benefits. This holds true for every aspect of our lives. No matter who you are of what you are doing, whether you are teaching or learning, if you are enjoying the process the odds are in your favor that you’ll achieve the outcome you desire.

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