FISH! A Reflection on Transforming Your Work into Passion

I was recently invited to lead a visioning retreat for the eLearning team at the University of Cincinnati.  In preparation for this session, the team was asked to read the book, “Fish!  A  Proven Way to Boost Morale and Improve Results.”  As a means to get myself ready, I sat down to peruse it.  What I found was a wonderful, captivating parable about finding the deep source of energy, creativity and passion that exists within each one of us when we learn to love what we do, even if we are not currently doing what we love.  By using the Pike’s Place Fish Market in Seattle, Washington as its prototype, the story unveils 4 key practices to creating a fun, engaging, dynamic and innovative workplace.  These simple principles of being there for customers and coworkers, choosing to have fun, and making people’s day, lead to happiness, meaning and fulfillment in the workplace.  Seems so simple, right?  If we don’t currently find these things in our workplace, how do we create happiness, meaning and fulfillment in the place where we spend the majority of our waking hours?

Overview of the four practices:

1. “We choose our attitudes each day.  Are you being impatient and bored or are you being world famous?  You are going to act differently if you are being world famous.  Who do we want to be while we do our work?  Please choose to make today a great day.  Your colleagues, customers, team members and you yourself will be thankful.”

2. “How could we have more fun and create more energy?  Find ways to play.  We can be serious about our work without being serious about ourselves.”
   
3. “Be fully present at work and focus on what others need.”
   
   4. “Who are our customers and how can we engage them in a way that will make their day?  How could we make each other’s day?  And should you feel your energy lapsing, try this surefire remedy:  Find someone who needs a helping hand, a word of support or a good ear – and make their day.”

   I was most struck by the theme that we each have the ability to decide how we want to show up in the every day moments of our lives – and that each moment counts.  And in choosing our attitude, in being of service and allowing our sassy, fun side out, we have the power to transform our workplace from average to world famous.

   *All quotes from the book “FISH! A Proven Way to Boost Morale and Improve Results” by Stephen Lundin, Harry Paul and John Christensen.