Cocktails and mocktails are popular. They signal good times and a relaxed atmosphere. Watching a bartender prepare a drink, or feeling the iced glass in your hand, starts an inner process. You anticipate the taste, and your brain releases a small dose of dopamine. You look around and find yourself in good company. Someone looks at you and smiles. Oxytocin is released, and even more dopamine. It’s going to be a great evening
Partying, playing, gaming, or exploring. When we have fun, we can’t get enough and want the moment to last. We laugh, fly high, and jump right into it. Enjoying it all, feeling excited, engaged, and included. Very much alive. The immediate mindset and the brain configuration are fully aligned: Give me more of the same or something similar. Now!
When was the last time you had such fun at work?
Working in a safe environment is vital. Otherwise, the hormones of stress and survival will dominate. Disease, depression and burnout will follow. Being able to focus on the task at hand and not wasting energy on irrelevant stuff is important. However, it is also crucial to have furious fun and create extraordinary events.
Often we talk about peak performance. What about peak experience? Moments of pure ecstasy and elation. Moments that stand out. Infinite beauty in an instance. High or deep. Noisy or silent. The memory of…
