Tag Archives | boost morale

9 crazy ideas for playful spontaneity during the work day

By on March 25, 2010 in Music & Wellness

Sometimes my eyeballs get stuck on the computer screen.

Sometimes I find myself doing the same daily routine, and I need a change.

This week I found bits of time during the day to give my left brain a break, clear my mind, gain new perspective, exercise my imagination, and return to work refreshed.

Here’s how I’ve made music, art, and dance this week between sessions, blogging, and working in my office.

  1. Make your fingers dance on the desk. Do a fun jig or line dance, then modulate into a sensual tango. The best part is that there are TEN of them instead of only TWO!
  2. Make music with your car. Listen to the tone of your car starting. Yes, the bonnnng, bonnnng, bonnnng. Match the pitch or sing different tones with it. Turn your car off and on and off and on until your improvisation feels complete.
  3. Put in a little skip or click your heels next time you walk to your car. Twirl around. Immediate mood enhancer.
  4. Doodle using pen/paper or the computer. The Scribbler is one of my bookmarks. (Thanks for the tip from Victoria Torf.)
  5. Sculpt out a brilliant masterpiece in the air. Use your masterful carving skills to create anything you’d like. Then give yourself applause following the formal installation on your desk. (Thanks for the tip from Draza Jansky.)
  6. Tap your fork onto the glass and plate at lunch. Notice the difference, then create a fun beat with your other hand patting the table.
  7. Boogie in your car. Enough said.
  8. Wink at yourself. Next time you see yourself walking next to a reflective wall on a building, wink and sway your hips dramatically.
  9. Shake off your day before bed. Shake your whole body from head to toe and everything in between. Shake fast, but move the focus of your shaking around your body slowly. (Thanks for the tip from Draza Jansky.)

Sometimes my thoughts lean towards “Oh you don’t have time right now” or “Save the fun creative stuff for after hours.” But then I remember that I’m actually more productive when I throw in spontaneity for a minute here and there.

How do you clear your mind during the day?

Image above courtesy of Francesco Marino.

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Qualcomm DRUMS

By on January 12, 2010 in Community, Drumming

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They say that team-building was the ropes course in the 80s, office foosball in the 90s, and now drum circles for the new millennium and beyond! And really, it makes perfect sense because drumming is accessible no matter the level of physical fitness, drumming is intergenerational, and drumming cuts straight through language and cultural barriers. For larger corporate events, drumming brings the engineer, marketer, administrator, management team, and the rest of the departments together working towards the same goal.

Our last drum circle at Qualcomm, Inc. took place during lunch at a community event called QSOL (Qualcomm Summers on the Lawn). My colleague, the very talented special guest facilitator Dayna Koehn co-facilitated the event. The relaxed atmosphere, the beautiful lawn, and the BBQ offered a casual, fun, and entertaining opportunity for employees to make music together and build the community.

Drumming is at the core of our very existence. People drum because we are biologically programmed to do so! Language is rhythm, breathing is rhythm, walking is rhythm. Drumming connects us to our bodies, minds, and spirits, then opens up space for creative thinking and a new perspective.

Research shows that drum circles and active music-making prevent burnout and enhance physical and emotional well-being. As a Remo Endorsed Facilitator, I and my team tailor this vibrant experience to the following needs: leadership development, efficiency in communication, increased productivity, stress-management skills, community building, and/or diversity training.

The purpose of the QSOL event was community building within the company. And the drumming component fit right into the equation. Participants looked around at each other, smiled and said “Man, now I’ve let it out!” and “Mm, I feel good.”

At QSOL, it wasn’t only the employees who reaped the benefits of making music. In addition, kids of Qualcomm employees came up to explore all the different instruments from around the world.

Opher Bonarie, head of the Qualcomm community hand drumming club, stated “”Kat Fulton and the staff from Sound Health Music made it possible to offer a casual event that even first-time drummers enjoyed tremendously.  The feedback was 100% positive, with several people asking when we can repeat it.  I hope to be working on future projects with Kat for many years to come.”
Qualcomm + Drums = Community.

Needs: Community building
Interventions: Active music-making, chanting, movement, drum call, sculpting and shaping the circle
Outcomes: Smiles, laughter, connection among co-workers via eye contact, rhythmic entrainment among co-workers via physical movement and sound, and positive statements about individual talent

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