Driving home from Seder the other day, I was listening to an NPR program about Zoos and Zoological Enrichment – the art some finding something exciting for the zoo creatures to do while they are in their enclosure.
You know what? That is no different than humans. My single friends are out living the wild life. All my married friends are living in zoological enclosures called “Married with Kids”. Those who love “Married with Kids Enclosures” have developed Enrichment programs for themselves – coaching youth sports, teaching religious classes, attending workout programs, etc. Talk shows are all about spicing up your life.
As an inside sales rep, I have an enclosure too. There are several other enclosed creatures around me. We too, seek the wildlife, but love the safety of our enclosure. Although all of us do it for the money, we crave Zoological Enrichment to keep our work life fun and exciting. I prefer the programs that allow everyone to win not just a few. Enrichment programs where only three team members can win usually have only the top 6 participating.
Before are some of my favorite Enrichment programs:
HIT YOUR MANAGER WITH WATER BALLOONS
With the heat at 85 degrees outside this is always a fun one. Meet your team goal for the day/week and you get to throw water balloons at your manager. Our winter version of this was to shoot a hockey foam ball at a net with our manager playing goalie.
BERMUDA SHORTS FRIDAY
Ok so I don’t have the legs for this one, but proper knee highs help.
STASH WEDNESDAY
OK, Ash Wednesday comes around once a year, but the several weeks leading up to it can be quite motivating.
AFTERNOON ICE CREAM
Meet your goal by noon and the manager will bring in ice ops or Ice cream sandwiches.
BRUINS DAY
With the Boston Bruins in the payoff and headed for the Stanley Cup (you heard it hear first) wear your favorite sports team. Another favorite is wearing your old High School colors.
The point is to make it light and fun. Keep cash out of it. It’s enrichment, not payment. Some of the best enrichment programs start as an innocent comment that catches on and motivates the team. So quit pacing back and forth in your cage and have a little fun.
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