I read a recent essay, in the Washington Post which called fun dead. That because so much in life is becoming planned and done for show the actual experience is being lost. The “moment” is gone and everything has become a “special” event, a means to an end or a meticulously planned selfie moment.
In light of this article that I read, I would argue that we have lost the concept of simple and spontaneous participation as well as our perspective on fun. Our approach to living has changed and what might have happened organically, we now attempt to recreate in full detail and with great expense. Whether or not you find yourself in search of fun, there is something to be learned from the great champions of sport.
To start there are five stages of fun and the first is the participation stage. Every great champion experiences this stage, at the beginning of a sporting career. Before there is any competition or expectation or even much skill, for the future champion ski racer just standing on a pair of skis, sliding around and falling a lot is how it all starts. Further, the fun part may not even be standing on skis, but instead the fun may happen after getting cold and frustrated and then going into the lodge to have a hot chocolate break with family and friends.
Most great champions in sport or high achievers in life experience early fun and enjoyment in the activity or environment that is inspiring and ultimately takes them to the top. So then, how does this work for the rest of us who are well beyond our young formative years?
Well the good news is that even as adults we can find and live those moments, by being more focused on just doing instead of trying to create every experience or scene. While planning is important to get things started, over planning can lead to over production. Think back to something in life that you really enjoyed and I bet that you will remember the unexpected moment versus everything that was planned or supposed to have happened. Maybe the fun ski trip ended up with poor snow and rain, yet much fun was had spending time in the cabin playing games. Or maybe the special restaurant was not so great, but you ran into an old friend or better yet made a new friend
A small hill, a soccer ball, a trench, a little boy: 20 minutes of unexpected fun trying to run down the hill and beat the ball to the bottom. Competition is fun.