Fun!
Covert the word “fun” to French and you get “amusant”. Convert “amusant” back to English and you get “amusing”. That is what this is to me… amusing.
The Fun Scale
The fun scale is a continuum that you can use to gauge the type of fun you’re having as you perform a specific action. There are three types of fun (ranging from one to three), adding difficulty and stress as you move up the scale:
Type 1
Type 1 fun applies to activities that you generally enjoy in the moment, such as throwing a frisbee or having a coffee with friends.
Type 2
Type 2 fun pursuits are challenging and may not be pleasant at the time, but they become gratifying when you look back on them.
Type 3
Type 3 fun endeavours are pleasant neither during the event nor after the fact, but they sure can make for good stories.
What is Type 2 Fun?
Type 2 fun occurs when a task is difficult at the time, but feels rewarding afterward, often because it challenges you to test your limits and grow. Examples of Type 2 fun include backpacking and rock climbing. Type 2 fun doesn’t need to take place in the wilderness, though. Climbing several flights of stairs to catch a view or going for a big run can also qualify as Type 2 fun. Maybe an ice bath could count, I guess?
If you’ve read The Wedge by Scott Carney: pretty much all the activities he mentions in this book fall into the Type 2 fun category. If you haven’t read this book then please do, then we can grab a beer sometime and talk about it.
Benefits of Type 2 Fun
Type 2 fun may not mean a good time in the moment, but for many, the sense of satisfaction that comes later is worth it.
Here are some benefits of experiencing Type 2 fun:
Increased self-esteem and pride. Pushing yourself through difficult terrain – both physically and metaphorically – allows you to prove to yourself that you’re stronger and more capable than you think. This leads to increased confidence, as well as a lasting sense of accomplishment.
Memories.
The challenging nature of Type 2 fun can make it way more memorable than Type 1 fun. You’ll remember the sense of pride and may develop deep bonds with people who shared the experience; You’ll get more Insta likes too if that’s your thing.
Self-discovery and perspective. When you push yourself beyond your preconceived limits, the opportunity to review your strengths and weaknesses prompts you to learn more about yourself. It’s Fibonacci and it’s Lateralus: ‘Reaching out to embrace whatever may come’. Embracing the difficult parts of a journey is a lesson that you can apply to other areas of life, broadening your perspective. Difficult undertakings may seem more achievable in the future, once you’ve faced tougher obstacles.
Strengthened resilience.
Type 2 fun is difficult and almost always involves getting out of your comfort zone. You may get frustrated and want to give up in the middle of such arduous efforts, but persevering proves your tenacity. Tenacity is a good word.
The experience can build your tenacity for new, more challenging ventures.
Tenacity. Tenacious D.
