I do not like making mistakes in my home business any more than the next person, but I have to admit that some of the things that come across my desk or happen when I am working can be quite funny. Being able to laugh at myself or at some of the kooky things other people do can make the day go by faster and help alleviate some of that every day stress…
Yesterday, I sent off a very detailed email to someone who I have not actually met in person yet but with whom I will be working with for an upcoming event. In this day and age, I can feel pretty connected and do quite a bit of work with people I never actually see in person. We develop a bit of a cyber colleague connection. Anyway, my email was quite professional and included a “signature” with my name, address, phone, fax, etc. Today, I got a return email—sent attached to my email as a reply that started out: “Dear Wendy”—I don’t know who Wendy is, or if she got an email addressed “Dear Kori” but it gave me a bit of a chuckle.
I make plenty of silly mistakes too—one of my favorite “travel” tales from my recent trip to Norway was how after about four days or so I was starting to get acclimated and feeling pretty proud of myself for picking up some of the language and customs. Purchasing a sandwich at a little deli, I smiled as the store clerk said something to me in Norwegian. With confidence, I assumed he was asking me if I needed a sack or bag since I’d heard that phrase a dozen times or so. I waved my little portable ecologically-friendly bag and said, “No, I’ve got my own bag” in English. He just shook his head and in very slow English explained that he was asking me if I had even change so he didn’t have to give me smaller bills in return. I sheepishly counted out the money, took my sandwich and left. I was not nearly so “fluent” as I thought I was!
Work doesn’t always have to be serious and stressful. Seeing the humor in some of our mishaps is healthy and we can still learn from our mistakes (as well as from others), it is just a little more pleasant if we’re laughing too!
Also: Daily Dose of Laughter
Some Days, There is Nothing to Do But Laugh