Each Thursday the team at Spurling meets to discuss what's going well, what we need to work on, and any important topics.

This year, we have tried something new where instead of having me do all the meetings, we rotate each week amongst the team.

Yesterday, Melanie, our Director of Customer Experience, had the floor.

It started in the usual way, headlines, quick updates, etc.

But then she asked us to stand, break up into two teams on the turf, told us that we had to get the other teams medicine ball (think capture the flag style), and then at the start of the music we had to run to the middle of turf and there was a Rubbermaid box of "tools" to help us get the other teams ball.

The music started, we ran to the middle of the turf, and inside the box was a half dozen nerf guns.

For the remainder of the song, as Led Zeppelin cranked on the stereo, the team had a giant nerf gun fight.

It was probably the most fun we've had as a team in a long time.

The remaining 45 minutes of the meeting went on as planned, Mel talked to us about Customer Service.

My point?

I bet for more us, that was the highlight of our day.

Heck, I'm choosing to write about it now.

My lesson.

Fitness needs to have a fun component.

Business needs to have a fun component.

Life needs to have a fun component.

One of our core values as a business is PLAY.

We aim to fit play into every workout, and really, every decision we make.

You see, for years people have thought that exercise means spinning on a hamster wheel while staring at a TV screen.

Or standing in front of a mirror as we aimlessly go through the motions on a machine.

It doesn't have to be like that.

There's more to fitness than sets, reps, body fat, and squats.

We're a firm believer that there has to be a fun component.

That's what turns it into something you "get" to do, not "have" to do.

Sure, just like in business, just like in life, things need to be planned out, there needs to be a time and a place for the serious stuff, but we also need to carve out some time to peg your boss with a nerf bullet, or to wear a tutu while you do those squats.

If you plan on sticking with a fitness routine long-term, make sure you're doing something that you enjoy doing.

Play can look different to all of us, but it certainly needs to be a part of our regime.

How do you fit in play?

1% Better.

Dedicated to Your Success,

Doug Spurling