Fun Works - Keys - No. 1 Being vs Doing

THE ‘DOING’ STATE IS REINFORCED by American culture. We admire doers; we proudly admit to our Type A Behavior of ‘get it done now!’ Performance appraisals recognize the ‘doingness’ of our work contributions but they fail to ask the question: “What were you ‘being’ while you were getting the job done?” Before we can successfully give or receive permission to perform, we must choose to experience our lives fully; we must learn to ‘be’ not just to ‘do.’ Before we can successfully integrate fun into our work, we must shift from a ‘doing’ state to a ‘being’ state. To ‘do’ something fun is momentary; to ‘be’ fun is forever. ‘Doing’ feels like something that is outside of you — something that can be checked off a list. ‘Being’ comes from the inside — it is a deep reservoir that fills you up and is released like a breath, to be felt again with your next breath.

The integration of fun and work is actually achieved when you are ‘doing’ while you are ‘being.’ The ‘being’ state is a connection to our inner core of thoughts, beliefs, feelings, and values. ‘Being’ is the true driver of ‘doing.’ It is far too easy, however, to become disconnected from ‘being’ under the pressure of time, focusing only on ‘getting it done.’ When you find yourself simply ‘doing,’ breathe some ‘being’ back into your life; bring some of your fun self to the project at hand. How do you ‘be’ fun? You choose it. ‘Being’ is a choice. ‘Doing’ your life is tiring; ‘being’ your life is revitalizing. ‘Doing’ takes energy; ‘being’ creates it. Imagine how effective we would be if we chose to shift from a culture that says ‘Just Do It’ to a culture that says ‘Just Be It.’ To successfully receive or give permission to perform, choose to ‘be.’

excerpted from Fun Works, Creating Places Where People Love to Work 2nd ed.

The Keys and Principles from Fun Works, are being recapped one per week here and on Facebook:Leslie Yerkes, Thought Leader - relevant and intriguing quotes about the weekly topic will be tweeted