Being fun > Having fun

We've all been there. In fact, it's practically a cliché of what work is "meant" to feel like.

Staring down a mountain of tasks that feel repetitive, uninspiring, or worse — pointless. Counting the hours until the end of the day, only to feel that frustrating cycle of burnout and boredom creep in as soon as we sit back down at our desk the next morning.

It’s as if the work itself is somehow draining our energy, leaving us feeling like we’re just grinding gears in place rather than making meaningful progress.

We might find ourselves doing the bare minimum just to get by, avoiding risks because, frankly, what’s the point? The thrill of creativity and curiosity feels distant — like something we left behind along with college internships and the first few years on the job.

And here’s the problem with all this: it doesn’t just make us miserable. It actually holds us back from doing our best work. It holds us back from being successful.

When we’re stuck in “just get through the day” mode, we miss out on the potential for growth, discovery, and connection with our colleagues. We’re operating on autopilot, skimming the surface of what’s possible. And often, the longer we go without finding ways to make work feel meaningful and even fun, the more disconnected we become — not only from our jobs but from the parts of ourselves that thrive on creativity and challenge.

We want to have fun at work. But it turns out, the secret isn't to HAVE FUN — it's to BE FUN.

We are in control

​Dr. Damian Stoupe wrote a 344-page doctoral thesis that hits on a brilliant insight — and one in need of a better publicist: When it comes to making work fun, Being-Fun is more important than Having-Fun.

According to Dr. Stoupe, “Having-Fun, with its focus on shallow fun (instant gratification and harmful competition), harms organizations. In contrast, the process of Being-Fun, which emphasizes deep fun (learning, wonderment, and serendipity) offers a means of escaping the duel by focusing on personal, emotional, intellectual and professional growth.”

One thing I appreciate about this perspective is that Being-Fun is an empowered choice. It doesn't require anyone else to make things fun for us. Being-Fun is a mindset.​ Work isn't a TV show. It's not here to entertain us. We have to show up and bring our best selves. WE are in control.

What, exactly, does Being-Fun look like?

Being-Fun looks like embracing curiosity in our daily work, asking questions that uncover fresh insights, and approaching challenges with a "what if" mindset — instead of a "why me" one.

It's playfully giving ourselves permission to experiment, even when the outcomes aren’t guaranteed. It's choosing to see work as a canvas for creativity, not just a checklist.

Being-Fun means treating each task as a chance to learn something new or connect on a deeper level, transforming work from a to-do list into a series of mini-adventures. And maybe, it’s about embracing the notion that the workday is less about the grind and more about how we grow along the way.

Being-Fun means being a person other people want to hang with. The kind of person who brings positivity, energy, and enthusiasm. (Kindly note how this mindset is not referred to as Being-A-Complainy-Pants.)

Being-Fun isn't about cracking jokes or being the life of the party or being a distraction — but it IS about creating an atmosphere of joy and light-heartedness wherever we go.

Being-Fun means choosing to see others as teammates in a shared game, rather than competitors or obstacles.

It’s going into conversations with an openness to be surprised, to let someone else’s perspective shift our thinking, or even change our minds. This mindset leans toward “yes, and…” rather than “no, but…” — looking for ways to build on each other’s ideas, rather than knocking them down.

It’s about giving colleagues space to be themselves, sharing a laugh or insight without the need for it to be perfect or polished.

When someone suggests an idea, the Being-Fun approach is to ask, “What’s great about this?” or “How might we make it even better?” rather than picking it apart.

Being-Fun means treating each interaction as a chance to learn something unexpected, fostering an atmosphere where people feel safe to express wild ideas, admit mistakes, and share discoveries.

This mindset also shows up as genuine support for others’ growth — a small but impactful nod, a quick “That’s a cool idea,” or an active effort to make sure everyone feels heard.

In moments of tension, Being-Fun is about holding the humor lightly and not letting the seriousness of the task take over the spirit of collaboration.

When we focus on Being-Fun with others, we naturally create a ripple effect, making work feel less like a transaction and more like an ongoing conversation filled with mutual respect and shared curiosity.

In other words, Being-Fun is contagious. And if none of the above helped clarify things?

Well, it's pretty easy to tell when we're Being-No-Fun — so let's do the opposite of that.