List of Activities to keep employees motivated

Adopted from the "FISH videoo" Based on the "Fish Philosophy" at Pike's Place Fish Market in Seattle

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Create a employee bulletin board with pictures, likes, hobbies, family, pets Have a central area to share good news (births, weddings, promotions, kid's achievements) Have a joke bulletin board where jokes can be posted Create a bulletin boards to have fun - any employees can add anything within reason to the board, can be to have fun with someone in company or a national figure or issue, no ridiculing!, no hurtful comments! Get a Polaroid camera for work. Fill a bulletin board with photos Photo Day - Baby Photo Contest Post a cartoon every day. Make someone responsible for different days Cartoon pictures that may relate (or use cartoon, but make up a new "improved" caption related to subject). Have an area in which you post photos of staff having fun at work Display pictures of all the staff - a wall of fame Bring a camera for funny moments and hang pictures Roving random photographer Poke fun at yourself Tell a funny story about yourself Require everyone to bring in a joke for a staff meeting and tell at the beginning Joke around with one another Tell a "bad" joke to the first person you meet every morning 2 minute joke drill Share a joke or funny story Kid around with co-workers - it helps make the day fun and go faster Tease a resident good naturedly, i.e.,"seen any good looking men lately?" Come up with a funny story, quote, or comic for each day and share it with everyone Do a joke chain letter Morning announcement joke (over loudspeakers) Have silly days-everyone participate Do foolish things to make them laugh

Do something silly Make a spectacle of yourself for the residents amusement Wear clown noses on busy days Laugh at yourself - don't take life so seriously Prank calls to the kitchen from the phone on the loading dock Practical jokes like: Lock the bathroom door, write women's room only on unisex bathroom, decorate your boss's office at least once a day Joke and play- have wheelchair races Answer the phone "Zachery's Pizza" or as some other local business Put bubble wrap under chairs for feet and entry door mat, so it pops Start a fun committee to help organize events Have a team brainstorming session to explore acceptable ways to have fun in your workplace Theme days e.g. pajama, Hawaiian shirt day Have a Spirit week- crazy hair day Wheelchair and walker races Beach party in January Happy Unbirthday Week Have a No Whining Day Create holidays on non-holidays NASCAR Day - Dress as your favorite driver Color for the day - all wear same color to work for unity Have a resident/employee social Celebrate not only boss's day, nurses day, etc. but celebrate the first snow day, etc. Have a Dress Up Day - come to work as a character or costume on Halloween Hat Day, Dress Up Day, Costume Day Wear fun clothing, bright colors, fun jewelry on certain days Say Thank You Day Do a Good Deed Day Resident / staff activities - scavenger hunt, wheel chair race, ice cream social, breakfast, supper Bring in hypnotist, magician, $5 massages, etc Ice cream social or other activity Play with water balloons in the summer Celebrate holidays Invent a "holiday" Sponsor a cookout/softball game/swimming activity at a nearby state park Talent show Penny wars (winner/loser) must do something like kiss a goat. Don't be so serious - decorate for holidays (i.e. Halloween)

Do some team building activities Ice breakers in unit meetings e.g. write a secret about yourself and then guess who it is Team building exercises once a month- intellectually challenging & physical Play some new non-competitive games as a team Monthly, pick a day and have department go somewhere in the afternoon, such as climb a mountain together then go somewhere to eat fattening Italian pasta Outside activities (bowling, picnics, ball games) Put together a department scrapbook Go on a field trip Contest of some sort...using department teams Do something for the community as a work team Enable employees to volunteer on work time at non-profits once a month, quarter or year Bring department together once a month to share good stories and problems. Keep everyone aware of what is going on in the hospital. No one should be in the dark Switch roles for one hour Have a job swap - pick a different job Change places with our residents-let them be staff and us, the residents Be someone else for a day - who knows you may like that person - you never know Reverse days - pick students to run class Change job responsibilities for a short period of time or job shadow for an understanding of what others do Have everyone share their most embarrassing moment (if they dare) during a special project, etc. Let the kid in you come out Twirl when all fails (per Loretta LaRoche) Put humorous stuff in the newsletter every week Act like you just had a large coffee Dress up your office or space with fun stuff Put out toys to play with Play with hula hoops Have a toy box in work area - with groucho glasses, clown noses, koosh balls, paddle balls Buy a rubber fish Keep a squirt gun handy Build a pyramid out of muffins Toss a few nerve balls once in a while Have a anti-stress box with serious and fun things in it - Tylenol, punching bag, big eraser for big mistakes Dress up funny for the residents on special occasions (Halloween, Picnics)

Wear wild clothes to help start conversations Answer call lights together. "49 is ringing" "49 is ringing" Respond with playfulness - let go of worrying "what they will think" and instead find opportunities to surprise people. Put a face of someone from the dept or hospital on every screen saver in the dept Send notes between offices as paper airplanes Play music Sing-people will either sing with you or laugh-either way you have a brightened a day Play: Music/entertainment in the cafeteria at times Don't post the daily menu. Sing it to the residents together. Make written messages amusing Change boring routines: wear a funny hat when serving meals Tie a helium balloon to a resident's wheelchair Allow a fun environment Throw candy at my cubby, "mates!" Greet everyone every morning in your office by standing in front of their desk and bowing Birthday balloons for everyone, delivered and sing Model fun Shock people, wear a wig to work Do something unexpected (i.e. pull out glasses with a funny nose while going over instructions) Do something fun at the beginning of each meeting - icebreaker Raffles - parking spaces, free meal tickets - use money for charity, good causes, purchase hospital equipment Clown to make rounds to see staff and patients Have someone act like Miss Disorganized running around on roller skates Have shift cheer or code phrase to start the day Start the day with a group cheer!! Secret pal games: could be done quarterly Do something unexpected Leave a goofy message on someone's voice mail Recess (free time to play, meditate, nap, relax) - non structured time Entertainment (carnival acts) during lunch/dinner in the cafeteria Compile a department or hospital wide journal of employee work stories humorous, thoughtful, emotional (like Chicken Soup books) Find something to celebrate, even a small thing Celebrate small "wins" not just big projects Make a day/week or month a "Celebrate Success" day: Within department, remind

ourselves of most recent successes.

Make Their Day

Tenth customer gets something special Find ways to thank customers for their business Events for customer appreciation Customer Prize Day - "You are the one millionth customer..." Do a little extra for one person every day Activities and lots of love Customer and employee socials Compliment a customer / patron (and mean it) Do something special for your customers - unexpectedly Assist visitors who seem disoriented or lost in your workplace Create a fun playful attitude with your patients and their families Involve the residents in activities (chain effect) Have the customer of the week - someone you pick for a silly reason or an accomplishment and start a bulletin board If a resident looks sad, give them a hug Be extra kind if you see someone is having a bad day Do unexpected things, surprises Make patients feel like they are noticed, share your love Go beyond work description (to help customer/co-workers) and show them that you care Bring fresh flowers from garden for residents - They love it Give stickers ( I had a good check up) goofy, but maybe adult may like it, kids love stickers. Laugh more with customers at the front desk, start with a big smile and take it from there Write them notes or cards I tell the residents that I love them Sending anonymous notes of appreciation Leave a happy note for your co-worker Tell everyone you see during the day, what you appreciate about them or a positive thing about them Show appreciation for a co-worker Give co-workers compliments Get ideas from staff of items they enjoy and would like to receive - comes in handy when recognizing Tell your boss you appreciate what he/she does for you. Pass an award around (fish) secretly with a note saying why the person deserves

award Give out 1,000,000 candy bars as a "bonus" for going above and beyond at work Snickers awards Say thanks for the smallest thing Let employees know they are appreciated by taking time to write them notes or doing something special for them Have a pass around stuffed mascot - awarded by group consensus Have an appreciation day - Hand out cards to everyone and have them choose a person they appreciate at work and them why and forward cards to common place. Post the results and have silly rewards Staff appreciation - Managers wash their cars Acknowledge physicians for their accomplishments Celebrate people's birthdays by cutting out paper balloons and having everyone write down something that they appreciate about the birthday person Everyone who works this weekend gets .... movie ticket, gift certificate Focus on what people do well, and thank them when they do something that is good Use a physical thing (ex; stuffed animal) and give to a new person each day/week for doing something good or who needs extra support. Have a secret partner that we could exchange small gifts Invade a meeting to honor someone who has done something for another area totally unannounced Make a banner for another department or discipline, tell them how much you appreciate them and hang it up in their area Surprise one of your co-workers with a cup of coffee, etc Treat your fellow staff workers well Be caring to one another Treat people the way you want to be treated Do a kind deed for a not so close friend Always be ready and available to help other workers Go out of your way to help e.g. someone finish a project Random acts of kindness Leave a surprise trinket/chocolate/etc on someone's desk Ask "Can I help you with something, or do you need any help?" once a day Do things to make the other person's job easier - everyone benefits When a co-worker feels down in the dumps, say something to lift their spirits Be extra kind if you see someone is having a bad day Lend a hand whether it's your job or not Giving a flower to the aid, nursing or kitchen staff person Bring in books you've read, clothes/toys kids have outgrown to share with coworkers Pick a posy on your way in and present it to the first person you see Bring flowers

Surprise food, flowers, treats Trade lunches Take turns bringing in something for coffee break Bring a cake to work for no reason Bring in homemade goodies Maple syrup / pancake cook-off Pot lucks once a month Have lunch together (send out for pizza) Have a jar of m&m's (or any favorite candy) available for everyone - it's bright, colorful, and gets people talking even if they don't want to! Have a candy bowl out at all times Bring in candy to bring cheer Drink more coffee Chocolate Start the day with coffee, donuts or bagels Make popcorn to share Make cookies to share with people who come into your office Team lunches or gatherings to acknowledge work accomplished and individuals' efforts (preferably off site) Have office parties - quick lunch, picnics, etc Random acts of kindness - bring in cookies Picnics Games after hours for the families BBQ Run special activities, like pot luck lunches, to help bond staff on a more personal level at work Plan staff retreats, picnics, parties (or for customers) Have Pizza Day once a month Have little goodies to share Bring popsicles for all-especially on a really hot day Treats for staff when they don't expect it (candy or ice cream) Take a peer to lunch just because

BE THERE
Smile more Smile, knowing someone will appreciate it Always greet with smile and friendly word/friendly touch Greet everyone you see Say "Good Morning" Stop into someone's office just to say "hi" Listen to what others have to say

Ask how people really are and LISTEN to the answer! Don't interrupt Assure people you heard their concerns by restating that you heard Give undivided attention/focus Be attentive 100% to every customer - make them feel important Do your best knowing that it will be appreciated Be dependable Strive to give 100% Do your best while you are here Make the most of present moment with a person Ask customers about something they enjoy and build a relationship with them Engage in meaningful conversation Get to know your co-workers at more than a superficial level Everyone needs human touch-hug and touch residents See each person as God sees them-special A touch, a pat on the back, a hug, smile Enjoy the person you are with Find out about someone's hobby Be interested in people's lives Be glad to see people Care about employees lives outside of work Learn from mistakes Be supportive when someone has an idea Be true to yourself Notice when someone is down Pay attention to who you're with no matter how much is on your mind Ask the residents about their day - talk to them about the old times, the weather something that brings back memories, smiles & tears Ask customers about themselves. Find out what they want to talk about Genuinely take an interest in what people are saying Spend a few moments to meet a new co-worker - learn their name and position Take few moments to find your balance, emotional and mental center Do no harm Answer phone promptly - return messages and e-mails Remember that you can make a difference without realizing it at the moment

Choose Your Attitude:

Count your blessings not your troubles

Be grateful every day!!! Take a few moments before starting work and reflect on the things you are grateful for Write down why you love your job Take time to celebrate your successes Remember each day is a blessing share the joy of life with those around you Feel lucky to have a great job, home, etc. Choose a positive attitude and let it be contagious Accept responsibility for your attitude Don't let circumstances or others set your attitude Start each day fresh - Don't give past struggles continued power over your life Do not carry over a bad day to the next day Wake up each morning and make a decision to be happy that day Have a positive attitude regardless of how your day is going Actively choose to have a good day, regardless of those around you Don't let others set your attitude Think about difficulties as a way of strengthening your character, an opportunity for growth Enjoy the moment - Appreciate life and its rewards Look for the humor in situations and life Find the humor in situations as well as the seriousness Place a humor section in everyone's job description, where you are expected to enjoy yourself at work Don't take life too seriously - No one has ever come out of it alive! Don't take things personally Find the silver lining in a bad situation - Turn a negative into a positive Choose to be happy and tell someone about it Choose to see other people as important and affected by your attitude Don't sweat the small stuff Don't participate in group griping Stop complaining and blaming others for your problems Do not grumble even if you feel like it Stop complaining (do something about it) Distance yourself from others with a bad attitude or be willing to invest the time and energy into learning why those people have a negative attitude and in helping them change it Avoid making negative comments to both customers and co-workers Don't gossip or spread gossip Keep the big picture in mind - it makes the day-to-day struggles easier

Make it your job to cheer up fellow employees everyday Make an effort to be more patient with others Make negative tasks fun, do them as a team, make games out of them Make the best out of every situation possible Never buy into their down attitude - acknowledge it but turn it around Make an ordeal an event. (Turn a difficult task into a group party!) Take a negative situation in stride Inspirational signs, posters, and quotes from people we know Quotes for encouragement Happy photos on walls Make sure the environment is bright and cheerful Put positive notes on your desk for yourself & others to read Start with your workspace: What does it look like? How can it be more fun? inviting? Start each morning with a prayer and ask for God's help and patience Psych yourself up before walking in the door Positive thought for the day If you are doing something that you don't like, dress up first so that people compliment you and you feel better Look for the good in everything, because there is good in all of us Talk positively Be upbeat. Don't act like you are down about something. Everyone has a "hook" in their life, they are trying to cope with. Set an example-with a positive spirit/attitude Come to work with a positive attitude (there are always people in worse situations) Do something to lighten your day Try to help yourself and others see the humor in everything around them Evaluate your actions and reactions - are you choosing the attitude you want? Walk in another's shoes, yours is not the only job that may have problems Honor your work Throw some fish if you start your day with an attitude Treat yourself special every day - go first class with little things Make it your job to cheer up fellow employees everyday Think of something nice about everyone you encounter every day Accept the fact that things are going to go wrong once in a while Take a break (go for a walk) when you feel you are getting frustrated Take a mental health day when needed Have a mental health moment - where you stop what you are doing, relax, take a deep breath, do some stretches, clear your brain of any obsessive thoughts and

refocus. Then get back to work you slacker! Expect the best from a situation or circumstance - be an optimist Remember difficult circumstances don't last forever - This too shall pass! Selected from over 5000 ideas collected at training sessions using the "Fish Video"