Fun is the byproduct of doing the work you were meant to do.

Hey friend,

After 20+ years of coaching high-achieving professionals on their careers, there’s a word I hear over and over again when people describe the work they truly love.

That word? FUN.

It doesn’t matter how serious the person is…
Or how critical the work…

(Yes, even my transplant surgeons. You know who you are!)

And research backs this up.

A 2024 study on Playful Work Design* found that when people intentionally bring more fun or play into their jobs, engagement rises — and so does performance.

When someone is lit up by their work, they almost always describe it as fun.

Isn’t that amazing?

✨ Fun is the byproduct of doing the work you were meant to do.

When you’re aligned with your superpowers — those unique strengths that energize you instead of draining you — fun naturally follows.

When you’re lost in the flow of work, when hours disappear in what feels like minutes, your brain waves actually look identical to the brainwaves of children at play.

Think about that for a moment.

Fun at work isn’t frivolous.
It isn’t “extra.”
It’s one of the most powerful signposts that you’re on the right path.

Final Thought:

“Don’t ask yourself what the world needs. Ask yourself what makes you come alive, and go do that, because what the world needs is people who have come alive.”

– Howard Thurman

Here’s my invitation to you this week:

💡 Where does your work feel like fun?
💡 What parts of your job make you feel alive?

If you can name them — magnify them. Lean in. Do more.

And if you can’t find them? That’s not a reason to despair. It’s simply a clue. It means the first step is to identify your superpowers — the work that feels natural, energizing, and life-giving to you.

It’s hard to read your own label from inside your own jar. That’s where I come in. As your career sherpa, I’m here to help you find clarity so you can start “playing” more in your life and career.

Because if you’re not having fun… what’s the point?

Here’s to more fun, more play, and more aliveness in your work.

With you,

Melissa Palmer, MS, CPC
Executive, Career & Life Coach | Connect with me on LinkedIn!
melissa@careerplanningstudio.com
careerplanningstudio.com
469.615.7261

📖 Reference:
Mierke, K., & Rudolph, C. W. (2024). Playful work design, engagement, and performance: The moderating roles of boredom and conscientiousness. Journal of Vocational Behavior.