Are We Having Fun Yet?: 5 Tips to Creating More Fun in Your Life and Career

I took myself on a date last night.

I tucked my phone away, pulled out my notebook, and ordered whatever I wanted from the menu at my favorite vegan bistro.

The waiter gave me a table in a nook far away from the hustle and bustle and there I sat, blank page, open heart, nowhere to be, and loads of white space to dream in to.

My family was taken care of and when my meeting ended, instead of rushing home, I paused and decided to allow myself the gift of my own full attention.

When my pen hit the page, the question, “What do you want more of?” spilled onto the page.

It felt like a heavy question for a Tuesday afternoon, but I indulged myself and started scribbling.

The list unfurled without hesitation and the words that hit the page felt pretty standard: spaciousness, ease, grace, movement, abundance, freedom and then an unexpected gem that caught me a little by surprise: Fun.

Fun?

The three-letter word stared back at me from the pages of my notebook.

I jotted down the next question that bubbled up to the surface, “How could I have more fun in my life and career?”

I allowed my curiosity to lead the way and in a matter of moments, I had a roadmap for the adding more fun to my world and I wanted to share them with my fellow fun-starved humans.

Here are my top 5 tips for weaving more fun in to my life and career:

1. Take your foot off the gas

I am as guilty as the next gal of always keeping it in drive.

This awareness has been a newly discovered gift to myself and, as a result, I’ve started booking time in my calendar with things like day dates (that turn into evenings) with myself.

I’m the girl that has a spa gift card sitting in the drawer collecting dust.

I’ve recognized that in order to continue to be the creative (and productive) soul that I want to be, breathing room in my calendar is a non-negotiable for my mind, body and soul (and marriage + life as a parent).

2. Collaborate like a boss

My entrepreneurial pals are total rock stars.

Not only are they brilliant, powerful, and deeply entrenched in their own mission, but also they have so much to offer my audience.

The more I have told myself, “I am an island, I have to figure this out on my own,” the more I have learned to pick my head up and tag a colleague in for support.

Collaborating with fellow passionate souls on a mission, like my friend Mel Robbins, not only help me grow my audience and brand, but make a massive impact on lives far and wide.

Who can you collaborate with on a project and take it to a whole new level?

3. Ditch the story about who you have to be in order to be successful

Does your life and career allow you to be who you really are? Or do you feel like you have to forcibly chameleon yourself in different situations?

Are you the same person with your best friends and loved ones as you are with your audience and clients?

What story are you telling yourself about how you need to show up in your life and business in order to be accepted and successful at the level you dream?

What’s fascinating for me is that the more I peel back the layers on the stuff I’ve been trying to keep from the world, the more connected my audience becomes with me, my mission, and my sacred work.

It might feel scary at first, but I promise it will be one of the best decisions you’ve ever made for your life and career.

4. Schedule in more fun

I mean it.

Put it on the calendar.

• What are you doing for fun this month?
• What are you excited about?
• What are you looking forward to?
• Could you put something fun in your calendar every day?
• Every week?

I know that if I don’t book it in and commit myself to it, I won’t do it.

And the best part, when I actually allow myself to have this free flowing time, I get SO much done.

I feel aligned and invigorated and new opportunities present themselves out of nowhere. (During yesterday’s afternoon outing, I received 2 emails for upcoming speaking events! Woot!).

5. Remember what your favorite thing to do as a kid was and Go Do That

I loved to sing and dance as a kid.

And now I have a 3-year-old that is currently singing Moana songs like it’s her job…I am embracing every second of it.

Disney song concerts on the couch and time for painting and drawing and doing creative things that have nothing to do with work are a way of life around here.

What did little you love most of all? Indulge him or her and see what happens.

BONUS: If your goals are starting to lose their luster, change them

• You are not beholden to your goals
• Upgrade them
• Your dreams are simply a gift to pull you out of your fear and to lead you to your calling
• Our dreams and imaginations are there to keep us moving forward

But sometimes our goals start to take on a life of their own.

They make us feel like we’re on the verge of imploding rather than soaring.

Whenever I feel this kicking in, I course correct by recommitting to new and updated objectives that feel more aligned with where I am on my journey and where I am ready to go.

Give yourself permission to throw it out the window and start from scratch.

Now it’s your turn:

• Are your goals life-giving or life-sucking?
• When was the last time you had a total blast in your life? In your job?
• What was your favorite thing to do as a kid?
• When was the last time you did something that made you feel that totally alive?

Get curious with yourself.

Let your joy lead the way…

Watch what happens next.

Amber Lilyestrom is a transformational branding & business strategist, writer and speaker. She is the host of The Amber Lilyestrom Show Podcast and helps entrepreneurs turn their passions in to heart-centered brands and thriving businesses. From idea conception to the construction of the business and its digital landscape, Amber supports visionaries, leaders and disruptivators in changing the world and their lives by designing businesses that support their bigger life mission.

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