Two neighbors were talking with each other the other day discussing how they work with their kids. The one was complaining about how difficult it was to get his son to help out around the house for things like cleaning dishes, picking up his room or weeding the flower beds. Even paying the boy didn't work. He had given up and said he found it easier to simply do it himself. The other neighbor found that he didn't have the same problem and that his kid was always helping out and seemed to enjoy it with no payment involved. What was his secret? Simple.

He made it fun. Every task was made into a game that tapped into his intrinsic motivation for things that were fun. For example, weeding and turning the garden in the spring wasn't work when it was more about hunting for worms- something he knew his son liked doing. Picking up the house wasn't hard when it was made into a contest to see who could do it the fastest. Clothes hampers became goals for clothes with points scored for accuracy.

Think I'm full of bull and that this won't work elsewhere? Think again. Ever hear of the Pike Street Fish Market in Seattle? One company of fishmongers turned one of the most drudgery-filled occupations into one full of enthusiasm and fun. By taking on their jobs with excitement and making it a game, they have become renowned around the world. You don't go there to just buy a fish, you go for the show and the entertainment. Not only do they sell a ton of fish, but they attract a crowd and have even written books about their work. They will be the first ones to tell you that if they can do it, you can too.

Think of how much more you would enjoy your every day tasks if you turn them into play. Most of us would pursue tasks with greater enthusiasm, joy and energy than we probably do right now.

The challenge is in answering the question about how to turn your own daily tasks into something you enjoy- if they aren't that already. But even this isn't that difficult. True, some work will always be just that- work. But if selling fish can be made fun and entertaining, there's probably hope for the rest of us too.

Don

Dr. Don Kopf - a licensed psychologist working with individuals and organizations to help them grow, learn and change for the better.

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