Believe it or not, science demonstrates it’s important to have fun at work. Research shows that fun can have a positive impact on employee engagement, creativity, and retention. Here are four ways to make your workday more fun and productive.

“When we find tasks enjoyable, we’re more eager to dig in and complete them,” Bob Nelson, author and employee recognition and engagement advocate, writes recently in Harvard Business Review. He examined the variables used by Great Places to Work  to rank its annual 100 Best Places to Work For list published by Fortune magazine as well as interviewed hundreds of employees across industries and career stages.”

“‘We found that while there are certain aspects of any job that are outside of our control, there are a number of things any employee can do to make work feel more fun and joyful,’” Nelson explains. “‘Most of the ideas that our respondents shared can be easily adopted by others.’”

• Gamify tasks and celebrate wins. Breakdown large projects into smaller tasks and set deadlines to accomplish each. Celebrate each task completion with a small reward, such as taking a walk or talking to a friend.
• Shift your mindset. Call your “to-do-list” the “fun list.” Note tasks on paper and you crumble it up and throw it away when completed.
• Change your tune. Work to the music. Tune into the energy different music inspires.
• Change your location. Sometimes varying your physical location can give your work a new perspective. If you cannot take your work elsewhere, take a quick break outside to refocus.

Read Nelson’s full article: “Why Work Should Be Fun.”