Prefer to listen? Click below.

You only live once, but if you do it right, once is enough.

Mae West

I just returned from a week in Costa Rica. I played in the ocean, sipped mojitos by the beach, scheduled a work day by the pool and hung with the locals. Fun…that’s the only way I know to describe my vacation. So, let me ask you: do you have fun in your life? My life mantra is: follow the fun. I use it to guide my next action steps, create my business plan, where I go on vacation, what to eat, who I hang out with.

I believe that fun can be effective, healing and the most courageous thing we can do.

But, I get it. I used to believe that having too much fun was irresponsible and that the best results come when you’re grinding it. Then, I gained a bunch of weight, found myself crying most of the time, and my mind had become like jelly.

So, I made a decision. Actually, it was more like an experiment. I asked myself two questions:

  1. Who do I want to be?
  2. What would be the most fun ways to become more of that woman.

Suddenly, I found myself in sommelier school, learning French, going back to school, taking on projects I never dreamed I’d be asked to do, traveling to exotic locations and having a blast.

And, guess what? My life didn’t fall apart. The world didn’t stop. My child didn’t starve. And, I didn’t become a irresponsible woman.

In fact, my life overflowed with more opportunities.

Following the fun has led me to incredible places: Monaco, sipping Sancerre in a Frenchman’s wine cellar, milking goats for chevre cheese, dancing the night away on a cruise ship with 1,200 mind blowing entrepreneurs, hosting retreats in Paris and other beautiful locales.

Also, I don’t get my best ideas when I’m trying to force them in the office. I discovered Slim, Chic & Savvy while sauntering around Paris. Become a Modern-Day Icon was birthed while watching Breakfast at Tiffanys.

The secret to my success has been fun.

But, don’t just take my word for it. Richard Branson, a gazillionaire who loves to have a good time, said two things that I’ll never forget:

First, “A business has to be involving, it has to be fun, and it has to exercise your creative instincts.” You could easily substitute the word “business” with “life” because I think it holds the same truth.

And, second, “Life is a helluva lot more fun if you say yes rather than no.” There have been many things that my mind has tried to scream no to, but before it could, my sassy 90-year old self always interjects with a big YES!

Some of the most fun things I’ve done have almost been the scariest: starting a company, getting on stage to speak, scuba diving, traveling to countries alone, and doing what I thought was impossible.

When I ask women, “What do you do for fun,” I’d estimate that about 75% of my clients will initially answer, “I don’t know.”

If you’re life is lacking fun, it’s not that you’re some strange anomaly that didn’t inherit the fun gene; it’s simply because you’ve got a lot of fears around letting go and enjoying yourself.

If this is sounding all too familiar, then I’m going to challenge you the way I challenge them: go on a fun scavenger hunt. Begin to explore what your version of fun is. This means that you’re going to need to step away from self-help books, the sofa and all the other deterrents and put yourself out there in the world.

If you’re afraid, you can sit around and try to do thought work and talk to your therapist for hours, but here’s the deal: sometimes the only way to learn something is to experience it.

And, let me be clear. Fun does not mean a non-stop party where you’re out clubbing it every night. It’s not all yee-haw! True fun is liberating. Sometimes fun is a job well done or hanging out with your kids. With the right perspective, almost anything can be fun. Fun is what you decide it to be.

Volunteering at the animal shelter or planting a garden can be entertaining. I’ve run two marathons, not because I love running, but because I wanted to experience the excitement and fun of the event itself. Fun can be a night filled with amazing sex with someone you love or a night alone loving yourself.

 A fun-filled life is filled with experiences that captivate, entertain, and sometimes challenge you (tweet it).

Fun gets results. The last thing we need in our world is more serious, Type A or dull personalities. I think we could all use a bit more play and lightheartedness. Not to mention, a woman having fun is a delight to be around.

Most people are following things that are supposed to lead to a prosperous and great life, but it’s often leading to too many hours at the office, lack of sleep, stress, and exhaustion. Your boss (which may be you) is probably not encouraging you to add more pleasure and play into your day. It’s up to you to create more fun in your life.

Don’t wait for permission to live the life you desire. Begin to create it now. Follow the fun. I promise it will lead to amazing adventures that will have you telling beautiful, wild stories to your grandkids one day. Yes, your 90-year old self wants you to follow the fun!

Fun is at the core of the most luxurious lives.

So wherever you are in your life right now, I’d like to inquire: what would be the most fun next step? Please share. I want to hear all about it.

And, in case you’re still a bit skeptical, remember: a joyful step will bring the most rewards — abundance, romance, creativity and health.

With a Heart Full of Fun & Love,

Tonya

3 Days of Extraordinary

Extraordinary Women Do Extraordinary Things ...

IF YOU LIKE IT, SHARE IT