I think one of the collective mindsets that is engrained in society is the idea that to get what we want we need to work hard & maybe sometimes do things that we don’t enjoy. This is the “real world”.
On the other hand, when you hear advice from successful people, they often talk about fun and enjoyment being their guide. Sure, they usually work very hard, but usually at things they really enjoy.
Think about something you love doing. Often you have to peel yourself away from it don’t you? I know when I am blogging or reading for example, I could often literally do it all day every day!
I know when I first heard the advice to let fun be your guide, I used to think. “Well it’s easy for that person to say, they’ve made it already, of course they are having fun now.” Gradually though I have come to trust this advice and see the wisdom in it. Life is truly about the journey, not the destination. If we have fun along the way then that's a good thing! Also if you do want to excel at something as well, it is a lot easier if you love what you are doing.
1. Do Things For Their Own Sake
We are conditioned to think that there is somewhere to get to. We do something in order to get somewhere. How about having fun for funs sake? There’s nothing wrong with having goals (one of mine is to have 1000 awesome subscribers here 
) but keep your eye on the present too. For example, if you have a blog write a post because you want to or feel compelled to, not just to get somewhere.
2. Why So Serious?
We can all take life too seriously at times, but why? We are all heading in the same direction. That isn’t a morbid idea – just a fact. It can be very liberating to remind ourselves of this on a regular basis. Sure, sometimes life is serious and sad; I am not saying it is fun all the time. However taking a step back and reminding ourselves of the bigger picture and lightening up is very good for our soul and for those around us!
3. Find Your Own Version of Fun
Everyone’s idea of what is fun is different. I am really interested in things that I know for some people just seem strange and vice versa. Blogging is something I love doing but my husband finds it hard to sit in front of a computer screen for too long and loves being in the garden. We are all different. Find what you enjoy, even if it’s different to others around you.
4. Catch Yourself
Watch out for the times when you start getting “serious” and catch yourself. I did this with this post. I was thinking hard and seriously about post ideas when I suddenly had a hunch that I was getting caught up in that “serious” world. It’s quite easy to make anything serious and turn fun things into hard work. Be vigilant for how you are looking at things. Are you taking the fun out of something?
5. Laugh
Laughter really is the best medicine. Norman Cousins even cured himself of many diseases through laughter. Make sure you laugh every day. Even the world of personal development can become “serious” if we let it. Don’t forget to laugh! Life's really not as serious as we make it out to be sometimes.
6. Say No to the "Un-Fun"
Say no to boring, energy sapping activities. You know which ones I mean! 
They make your soul shrivel and make you feel heavy. We often have a lot less “obligations” than we think we have. Decline that boring meeting (you can always get the minutes and save yourself the wasted time). Don’t allow yourself to spend your precious time doing things because you think you have to. You don’t!
7. Be Fun and Hang Out with Fun People
Who we associate with makes such a difference to our outlook. Hang out with fun people and make sure as much as possible, that you are being fun too … it creates a ripple effect and you raise each other’s energy this way. Like attracts like.
These are some if the ways that help me to remind myself to have fun. I'd love to hear yours.
I love the idea of saying no to the "un-fun" - I want that to be a real word! I also like to hang out with my kids, do kid stuff, play at the park, that's what reminds me to have fun! Have a great day,
Topi
Topi´s last blog ..5 reasons to wake up early
Lol! Me too Topi.. I do like making words up!
Great list!
Jen
Hey Jen,
This is a very meaningful topic for me because I believe that if you're not having fun, it pretty much doesn't matter. One thing I do is to ask myself daily what can I do and how can I do it to have more fun. And I constantly check back on myself to see how much I enjoy what I'm doing. When fun is a priority for you, this becomes natural.
Eduard @ People Skills Decoded´s last blog ..Why being yourself is hard and how to actually achieve it
Hi Eduard
I completely agree and really cool to hear how you make fun a priority in your own life. I think checking in regularly is a great thing to do, sometimes it's only on reflection that we realise that the fun has gone out of something.
Jen
When you have fun and your heart is there you are aligned with your purpose, you are present. I feel time is expanding when I am present into my life, here, now. I have fun this very second while I am writing to this beautiful space.
I love the idea of being present here now on my journey. I call this the miracles zone.
I wish you be fullfilled and aligned with your purpose. (1000 is just a step, the first one, this is not a miracle, this is something where you can BE, what do you think?)
Hi Iaon
I agree - being present and here makes fun a natural state of being. Also you are right 1000 subscribers is just a step and i can be there!
Thanks
Jen
I love how taking an attitude of fun into what you're doing can make all the difference - even if it's something that could be very "serious", taking a lightness into things actually frees up energy to find different ways through it.
Thanks for another thoughtful post, Jen
Christine Livingston´s last blog ..The Worklife Makeover Review
Hi Christine
Perception is everything isn't it? You are right, having fun frees up energy and helps us to find other ways to do things.
Jen
Hi Jen:
Yes having fun is an important component in deciding what we should do with our precious time here on earth. If you are passionate in what you are doing than you are going to enjoy the time spent. Life is such an adventure, we all should enjoy the journey! In the morning I think about how I can make this a great day,
Absolutely Ann!
Making sure we enjoy each day as much as possible is a great way to live.
I always try to remind myself that a happy 'me', who is having fun and enjoying life as much as possible, is going to be a much more productive 'me' in the end.
And I'm all about the laughter suggestion as I'll often spend an hour listening to some of my favorite stand-up comedians. That alone is enough to completely transform a negative or overly serious mood into a fun, joyful mood!
Earl´s last blog ..Do I Need A Floating Camera Strap?
Hi Earl
Great to see you.
I completely agree - far from being a 'luxury', being happy is great for improving all areas of our lives. I'm a big fan of stand up comedians too! Such a great mood lifter!
Jen
I've been thinking along similar lines recently - I often feel that doing anything I enjoy is crazily self-indulgent and should probably be stopped for some greater good. Then I think of the school hymn I had at my very conservative, religious girls high school - the only bit I remember is always taking the steep and stony path rather than the lush meadow. What's so wrong with the meadow? Who wouldn't rather be in a meadow rather than a steep and stony path?
Hi Jane
What a great analogy! Absolutely - why not go to the meadow!
Jen
hello jen,
how are you?
i soooo loveee catch yourself lol!! i do that regularly.
thanks for sharing and enjoy the rest of the day
ayo´s last blog ..40 Ways To Feel Good About Yourself
Thanks Ayo!!
Jen, a woman that thinks like myself but can articulate it oh so well. I used to shy away from fun when I was younger, thinking of everyone wasting their time while I was working and studying and preparing for my future - and to some extent, college fun was just dumb and still seems that way (drinking, partying,..) but now I can define fun on my own terms, with my own friends and activities. Laughing every day and making sure we identify those energy-zapping trends....all of it makes for a dear recipe. You are too good to bring this up! Thank you!
Thanks Farnoosh!
I really like what you said about defining your own fun ... fun is different for everyone isn't it? Thanks Farnoosh!
Jen
I love this fun post.
Laugh is certainly the easiest indicator that we're having fun. When things went wrong and I was able to make a light of the situation, and laugh at it (not just smile), I knew I was having fun
Thank you for sharing.
Thanks Jean.
Laughter really can transform a situation can't it?
Jen
My fun meter is always running. The best think I ever did was no.6! Life changing.
Tess The Bold Life´s last blog ..Dayz of Summer Fun…
Hi Tess!
I love the idea of a fun meter! Yes, saying no to the 'unfun' is really important!
Jen
Hi Jen,
I agree! Life is too short for doing things in the long term that aren’t fun.
I am a serious person at times and often fall into the trap of taking life way too seriously. Then I have to catch myself and lighten up. I am getting better at noticing it more recently
Same here Anna! I really try and catch myself more and more these days and it makes life so much more enjoyable!
Great ideas here! I actually have a rule that I at least do one fun thing every single day of my life if nothing else I do all day is fun. That rarely ever happens though as I'm usually making life fun for myself in one way or another.
Thanks for sharing!
Eric´s last blog ..Get To Know Me Better: Ask Me Any 2 Questions You Want
What a great idea Eric! That keeps fun at the forefront of your mind!
Exactly!
That's what life is about, right?
Eric´s last blog ..Get To Know Me Better: Ask Me Any 2 Questions You Want
Jen,
I am a fun-loving guy.
Sometimes, I wish I could take life seriously, though.
Chrissy thinks I should be a stand-up comedian.
Chrissy claims I missed my calling, because I am good at making people laugh.
Mostly, I stare into the mirror and it cracks from side to side, just like the dame Agatha Christie novel.
Thanks for the post, by the way, fun to read.
Excuse me, now, I have to stand in line at the soup kitchen with my begging bowl and food stamps. Ouch!
Christine's right btw, you are very funny!
Jen,
P.S.
Thanks for including my photo with this post.
Don't I look handsome? Wait until I grow up.
I'll turn into an 800 pound gorilla soon, especially if I keep reading your blog. Lucky me, I guess. cheers.
LOL!! My pleasure.