We need to have reasons to celebrate – a birthday, a marriage, a new baby, a retirement, an anniversary. Giving homage to our milestone moments makes the slog through the mundane day-to-day and those darker moments more possible. Things are better with a smile, camaraderie and a bit of cake.
We are at work to work, but we spend a goodly chunk of time with our workmates and therefore it is important to bond. We bond when we share the weight of difficult tasks and we bond when we share the light of a celebratory moment. We just have to figure out what the right amount of time and effort to apply to sharing these moments – both good and bad – and this right amount is different at each office or work place.
Memory of birthday decor past… (not telling how long past)
What outward evidence is permissible? Decorations set the mood and can bring a smile to everyone even as people work away. But where is the line for over the top? I think we have all seen cubicles that wind up looking like a whole party store was crammed in. Tasteful would be a good line, but it means wildly different things to different people. Most cube walls could do with a bit of holiday or personal celebration type décor now and again.
Joyfulness creates energy, which can power a team to be productive with a smile. At least until the sugar high from the cake wears off. Then it’s time to get more goodies.
Oh, by the way, this topic was on my mind because today is my birthday. If you are looking for me, I’ll be the one with the tiara – while I have decided to stop aging, I do like to celebrate the anniversary of my birth.
What level of gaiety is allowed at your work place?
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