As a practice, I root for everyone to succeed in whatever form or fashion lights them up. I feel the need to state this upfront (so it’s explicitly clear): I have the utmost respect for those who find meaning and purpose in the struggle. For many, the struggle is the way. For me, and likely you, too (since you’re here with me instead of David Goggins), it’s not the only way. The reason I’m bringing this up is because these past few months, I’ve been surprised about the number of people I know who were so excited to start 75 Hard (fueled in part by New Year, New You, aspirations).
For those of you who have no idea about this latest craze, 75 Hard is a self-improvement program wrapped in the cloak of ‘hard’ daily tasks. Strict adherence to the plan is required, with no compromise or negotiation. Fail to complete the 75 days and you’re supposed to start over. Yet, in reality, no one does start over. At least all the people who shared their stories with me didn’t. Instead, 75 Hard was left behind, leaving them frustrated and disappointed (like so many ambitious yet abandoned resolutions tend to do).
Why Not 75 Fun Instead?
As the creator of The Fun Habit, of course, I’m biased in what I’m about to tell you—but more and more, science sure seems to have my back on this one as well: For most of us mortals, if you want to win the long game, it’s got to be rooted in fun. You can find just one of the numerous studies that show enjoyment as the most important initial moderating factor of success when it comes to betterment by clicking here.
How Would You Create 75 Fun?
I’m still in the process of answering that question, but I’d love to hear what you think. Of course, it can’t start with anyone telling you what you have to do. It needs to be grounded in autonomy, where the rules are by your own design, and the points only matter if you want them to. There are only guiding tenets, the most important being an invitation to embrace joy in the present in its myriad of forms.
A few examples of the ideas I’ve jotted down so far are, “If you miss a task, instead of starting over, you must add an unexpected act of kindness to your day.” Or, “Drink a glass of water while thinking of something you’re grateful for—hydration meets appreciation; activity bundling at its best!” Okay, admittedly, the second one needs some work. What if one of your daily tasks was as simple as “find something that makes you laugh out loud,” whether from a silly joke, or perhaps from taking a Laughter Yoga class (more on that in my enlightening interview with Ros Ben-Moshe).
Benefits of 75 Fun
75 Fun isn’t just better because it’s supported by better science. It ensures we are not just chasing achievements. Instead, in line with The Fun Habit, we are cultivating a lifestyle where joy, curiosity, and spontaneity are the main drivers of personal growth. An acknowledgment that well-being is multifaceted, and that mental and physical health are best supported through enjoyable activities. It’s about creating a truly resilient mindset that thrives on the diversity of life’s gifts. By making fun the cornerstone of the program, there’s also a great chance creativity will be enhanced, resilience to stress will increase, and a deeper connection with others will develop. How amazing would it be if the journey toward improvement was also an enjoyable adventure (rather than an uninspiring slog)? How great if the byproduct of your boosted productivity is that each day is a little brighter, for yourself and those around you? What will your 75 Fun look like? Please reply and let me know.
Ros Ben-Moshe is a leading Australian expert in laughter and positivity. She brings over two decades of experience in health promotion and positive psychology to her work. Her battle with cancer deepened her dedication to promoting laughter as a fundamental tool for resilience and healing. Author of The Laughter Effect, Ben-Moshe’s work, and programs have highlighted laughter’s significant role in enhancing mental and physical health. Our conversation about the transformative power of laughter and its benefits can be found here.
Dr. Kirsten Milliken is a renowned expert in psychology who transformed her ADHD diagnosis into a catalyst for innovative research on playfulness as a therapeutic strategy. Milliken’s book, PLAYDHD, emphasizes the importance of a playful approach to managing ADHD, showcasing that creativity and fun can turn challenges into opportunities. Her company further explores play’s neurochemical benefits for neurodivergent individuals. Our discussion on leveraging playfulness in ADHD management and its broader life benefits can be found here.
This quarter, the ongoing quest for life experience led me to the GRAMMY Museum in Los Angeles, an adventure that struck a chord deep within my music-loving soul. The highlight was stepping into their sound immersion booth. Growing up in the Napster generation, I hadn’t fully grasped what we lost in the digital compression of music until that moment. The booth vividly illustrates the stark difference in sound quality over the years, offering a compelling case for the richness and depth of the high-definition audio we’re able to experience today.
My contribution this quarter came from continuing to serve the non-profit Grapevine in a volunteer leadership position, as well as donating to Camp Mak-A-Dream and Peacehaven Community Farm (which provides permanent housing and work opportunities for adults with intellectual and physical disabilities).
I probably sound like a broken record at this point, but it’s been a really enjoyable ride lately, and I have been so inspired by all the wonderful stories and connections this endeavor has brought into my life. For all of you who have reached out, left book reviews, supported the project, or just been kind: Thank you so much! I truly am filled with gratitude.
I hope this quarter’s interviews were helpful to you. I already plugged the wisdom of Ros, but for those of us in the States, her book The Laughter Effect just became available a few days ago for purchase. Dr. Milliken’s book, PLAYDHD, has been out for a while now and is still a great read for any neurodivergent individual looking for a blueprint to navigate life’s hurdles with creativity and joy. Both books are part of the growing mountain of knowledge that reinforces the idea that finding fun and enjoyment in what we do is not just reserved for acts of leisure, but essential components of a fulfilling life.
We’re going to have fun this summer. I’ve got some cool stuff to share with you the next time we connect. Until then…
Yours in fun,
Mike Rucker, Ph.D.
P.S. If you still need to get your copy of The Fun Habit, you can click here to do that. Or, better yet, support your local bookstore by purchasing it there. 🙌
