Somewhere in the city of Seattle, lies the world famous market stall; Pike Place Fish Market. This is not your regular market stall. As the name suggests, it’s a fishmonger. One renowned for injecting doses of happiness and laughter to its customers and onlookers as the staff gleefully chant out customers orders after them and playfully toss the fish around. In 1991, CNN recognised it as one of the 3 most fun places to work in the entire United States of America. It has featured in movies (including Free Willy) and TV commercials. Books, articles and journals have also been written about it. One of such books is Fish by Stephen Lundin, Harry Paul and John Christensen.

A former colleague gave the book to me a few years ago, whilst I was working at the firm that I wrote about in my post titled “Journey”. I forgot all about it until about a year later. I had finally secured a new role in another organisation. As I cleared my desk on my final day, I found the book at the bottom of my drawer. I decided that it was time to read it.

The book tells the fictional story of a lady who was brought in to manage a team of unmotivated staff and upon discovering Pike Place Fish Market stall, she takes her staff there to observe the fishmongers at work. Although the lady and her staff are fictional, the story behind Pike Place Fish Market is true. Their story wasn’t always one of happiness and loads of customers. They turned the destiny of the company around by going from almost bankruptcy to a thriving business with worldwide recognition. Hereby, improving their own lives whilst enriching the lives of their customers and many all over the world. They accomplished all of these by simply changing their business approach and attitude. There are 4 lessons to be learnt from the book;
1. Choose your attitude – consciously do this everyday. It’ll help you enjoy your day and your life;
2. Play at work – it helps you enjoy your work and bond with colleagues;
3. Make someone’s day – you’ll feel happier by doing this;
4. Being present – enjoy the now. Don’t dwell on your past too much. Be forward looking.

As I read it, I couldn’t help but wish that I had done so much earlier. It would have changed my disposition towards the job and maybe I would have enjoyed working in the firm. I honestly cannot begin to mention the many aspects of the job that I did not enjoy, and Yes they were all with valid reasons. But it wasn’t always like that. Firstly, I accepted the role. It was never forced on me. I celebrated the job when I got it. I was ecstatic about getting the role and thanked God profusely. However, after a few weeks into it, I started to feel very different about it and began to moan. I moaned about it to everyone and anyone that would listen (well except my colleagues). But I never failed to tell my colleagues about my previous work places, and all the joys they brought; clearly indicating that I did not enjoy my current one. I must have sounded like a broken record as I repeated the same things again and again. I recall my colleague saying to me as he handed me the book; “I think you should have this, you’ll like it”.

Although the Fish Philosophy is applied to the work environment, the principles are applicable to other areas of our lives. There will be moments in life, when we find ourselves in challenging situations or circumstances, which could affect our moods, attitude and disposition. Rather than allow those situations and the challenges dictate your mood or attitude, you can choose your attitude on a daily basis. I’ve observed that this helps to eliminate worry, which ultimately affects your attitude.

It’s our responsibility to see to it that we enjoy our day. Your happiness is not dependent on someone else. Play and laugh with those around you and irrespective of what happens always remind yourself that “Life is Easy”. Finally live in the present. Enjoy your today and position yourself for a much greater tomorrow.

Finally, some scriptures for you to ponder on:

Always be glad because of the Lord! I will say it again: Be glad! (Philippians 4: 4 CEV)

And give thanks whatever happens. That is what God wants for you in Christ Jesus. (1 Thessalonians‬ ‭5:18‬ ‭NCV‬‬)

A happy heart is good medicine and a cheerful mind works healing, but a broken spirit dries up the bones. (Proverbs‬ ‭17:22‬ ‭AMPC‬‬)

Don’t always be asking, “Where are the good old days?” Wise folks don’t ask questions like that. (Ecclesiastes‬ ‭7:10‬ ‭MSG‬‬)

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