The Elephants Have Escaped

Nothing brightens our day more than getting feedback about how people are using the strategies from Juggling Elephants to improve their life in some way. The following anecdote we received last week had us laughing and also applauding the couple who gave us an interesting visual of their circus. They wrote:

My husband and I are trying to live by the principles of Juggling Elephants. We are having almost daily conversations about the acts in our rings. He has made a commitment to his self ring (something he, too, has neglected for quite a while). When I asked him how his circus was going one day this week, he responded by saying, "The elephants have torn down the tent and are running amuck down Main Street!" He was dead serious. His work ring was way out of control that day and he visualized it and verbalized it to me by the destruction of the circus!!! Poor elephants. We both had a hearty laugh and moved on to a discuss how he could "herd those elephants" back into the circus and how he could reconstruct the tent.

Bravo! You both get a standing ovation from us. We welcome any comments you have about your experience with the book. E mail us and let us know how your circus is going.

Make 'Em Laugh

A simple lesson from the classic movie, "Singin' In The Rain." Three of the main characters in the film are tired and faced with a challenge at work. Donald O'Connor's character jumps into action, singing and dancing one of Hollywood's greatest numbers, "Make 'Em Laugh." All of this in an effort to cheer up his friends and colleagues, Gene Kelly and Debbie Reynolds.

Is it time for you to jump into action and make some of the performers in your circus smile? What can you do to bring a smile to people's faces and lighten up a day? You don't have to be Donald O'Conner doing flips and jumping through walls. Here are some ideas:

• Buy a box of bagels on the way to work and celebrate, "Aren’t you glad it is Wednesday? day."


• Rent the movie "Darby O'Gill and the Little People" on St. Patrick's Day and watch it while eating corned beef and cabbage.


• Set up a "Nerf Hoop" in the office and play a mini 3 on 3 tournament during lunch. Nerf Hoops are great for games of "HORSE" as well.


• Celebrate "Talk Like a Pirate Day." Pass around a list of pirate language key words and phrases. Watch parts of the movie, "Pirates of the Caribbean" at lunch. Create an iPod playlist of pirate music and play throughout the day. If you need a list of songs, email us and I will let you know my favorites.


• Hire a comedian from the local comedy club and ask them to do a 30 minute stand up routine for a "stand up meeting." Or, if you are on a budget ask everyone to bring one of their favorite jokes and share it. Keep a book of clean jokes on your desk and bring out when needed. You'll be amazed how many people will come to your office and pick up the book when they need a smile.


• Create a bulletin board where employees can post humorous articles, jokes and pictures.
  Record the Super Bowl commercials and show them on the Monday after. Let everyone vote for their favorites.


• Celebrate "Rivalry Week" and encourage people to dress up, decorate and celebrate their favorite teams. Make sure you keep it friendly.

To quote another favorite movie – Mary Poppins: "In every job that must be done, there is an element of fun. You find that fun and snap – the job's a game." (Just a Spoon Full of Sugar). Be creative. It doesn’t have to cost money or take a large amount of time. Take some of your ideas and try it at home and in your relationship ring as well.

The Place For The Ultimate Intermission

In Juggling Elephants one of the suggestions we offer for maintaining productivity is taking an "intermission." A time when you step back from normal activity, reflect and refocus on your "next half."

If you are struggling with a place to "get away from it all," we have a humorous suggestion for you. Tristan da Cunha. Consider these facts about this remote island:

• A mail ship stops once a year at the island
• There are only about 270 inhabitants on the island
• The island covers about 30 square miles
• Five other islands in the area are not even inhabited

Talk about a place to rest and relax! Read more about this interesting spot at http://adventure.howstuffworks.com/most-remote-place.htm

Humor About Workplace and Vacations

After our July newsletter on "Return Planning," I thought a little humor about how you should handle vacations in the workplace might be in order. Enjoy!
http://money.cnn.com/2009/07/09/magazines/fortune/stanleybing/how_to_take_a_vacation.fortune/index.htm

Friday Humor

Here's a little clown act for your Friday. Some humor just needs no explanation.

Mall Wants Manilow Music To Drive Out Unruly Teens
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090303/ap_on_fe_st/as_odd_new_zealand_mall_rats