Have Some Fun This Thanksgiving (Seriously.)

Thanksgiving isn’t just about turkey, football, and figuring out which relative is going to bring up politics first. It’s about one of the greatest performance enhancers most executives forget to use:

Fun. Actual fun. The kind you don’t schedule, optimize, or benchmark.

​Here’s the truth:

Most high performers (yes, you and me) treat holidays like “recovery days” on a training plan — something to get through so we can get back to work, workouts, deals, and goals. But the best athletes and the best leaders know how to use days like Thanksgiving to reset the system in ways no supplement, no whoop strap, and no ice bath can touch.

So this week, try this:
1. Laugh hard.
Like really laugh — dumb jokes, bad dad humor, failed pumpkin pies, whatever. Laughter resets cortisol, resets your mind, and resets your relationships. Plus, it's free. No subscription required.

2. Eat the damn pie.
You’re not losing the 30 pounds on Thursday. One dessert isn’t your problem — your relationship with pressure is. Enjoy the food. Enjoy the moment. Then go for a walk with your family or your dog. That’s the real metabolic boost.

3. Put the phone down.
Check-in once, then let it go. Your inbox will survive. The world won’t end. And you’ll actually feel that rare thing called presence. That’s where clarity lives. That’s where new ideas sneak in.

4. Go outside.
Walk. Run. Hike. Throw a football. Rake leaves like it’s a CrossFit workout if you must. Just do something that reminds you your body isn’t just a vehicle for stress — it’s your first leadership tool.

5. Remember what’s actually working.
We spend 51 weeks a year thinking about what’s not.
Goals we missed. Deals that slipped. Weight we want to lose. Performance we expect.

This weekend? Flip the script.

Ask yourself:
What is working?
Who am I grateful for?
What victories did I ignore because I was too busy chasing the next one?

Gratitude isn’t soft — it’s fuel. It’s the reset that gets you ready to hit December with momentum instead of burnout.

6. Actually have fun.
Play cards. Tell stories. Throw the football too hard. Eat too much stuffing. Take a nap. Make fun of the uncle who still wears cargo pants.

Whatever your version is — embrace it.

Because here’s the real high-performance truth most execs never learn:
Fun is strategy.
Rest is strategy.    
Joy is strategy.

You don’t come back strong by grinding harder — you come back strong by remembering who the hell you are outside the grind.

So this Thanksgiving, give yourself permission to unplug, unwind, and actually enjoy it.

Have some fun. You’ve earned it.

Thanks for reading
Ken
[email protected]