DAILY HAPPINESS TIP #41- Set a Lighter Tone to Meetings

Some workers are just intimidated by meetings, while others see it as a waste of time. While there are valid reasons for their feelings, perhaps based on previous experiences, meetings are still valuable tools to accomplishing certain tasks, particularly bigger projects involving more than one unit.

Instead of avoiding this necessary task, how about initiating light conversations and exchanging anecdotes to lighten the tone of meetings? Suggesting a "humor minute or two" to share jokes before starting, or a break in long sessions to stretch and toss a funny story can make a lot of difference if everyone joins in the spirit of fun. These take out the drudgery out of meetings and make them what they’re supposed to be…avenues for exchange of ideas and to boost camaraderie, which would improve creativity and productivity.

Yes, laughter and play offer physical, psychological and physiological benefits to anyone. Appropriate humor can make hard tasks easier, collaborations fun and certainly make workdays go faster. So laugh, and laugh out loud to your heart’s content…take it as part of your job to improve performance and morale in the workplace.