America fell in love with Erling Haaland during this World Cup. The 6’5” Norwegian scoring machine was among the tournament’s goal-scoring leaders, joining the likes of superstars such as Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappe, and Harry Kane in the race for the Golden Boot.
But scoring goals isn’t what has turned casual observers into full-on fans of Haaland. They have fallen in love with him because they see how much fun the Viking giant is having during the competition.
During the World Cup, Haaland has gone shopping for Cowboy gear in Texas, made jokes about his resemblance to Shrek, including posting a picture of himself getting a kiss from the ogre after Norway defeated Brazil, and banging a drum to lead the Norway fans in their now-famous Viking rowing celebration.
Aside from gaining fans, why is having fun so important to his performance?
Let’s start by acknowledging that to be the best, you have to be prepared to push yourself beyond your comfort zone. We all know the cliché of the snarling coach who makes players suffer in order to get the best performance out of them. There is a part of training that requires you to get to the hardest place possible so that when you encounter those really difficult moments in games, you are mentally and physically prepared to overcome the steep challenge in front of you.
But, in order to go to those hard places, you have to ask yourself, do I love this thing I’m suffering for? Does it bring me joy?
In Haaland’s native Norway, they actually have a youth sports development philosophy that they call “The Joy of Sports.” Joy and having fun are embedded in the entire experience of playing sports when you are a kid in Norway. They’re not just having fun, they’re winning. Per capita, Norway is always near the top of the leaderboard in Olympic medals.
So, back to the question, why is fun important? Let’s let science provide the answers.
Focus and Retention: Cognitive studies have shown that when a lesson or training is fun, it increases dopamine levels that enhance your ability to focus and absorb details.
Healthier Lives: Swiss scientists did a research project that showed that adults who took the time to play and have fun lived happier and healthier lives.
Reduces Perfectionism Stress: Having fun when playing reduces the fear of making mistakes, which frees you up to try new skills and become a better player. More importantly, it improves your mental health. A study by Korean scientists showed that fun released dopamine and serotonin neurotransmitters, which created better health.
Promotes Creativity: Having fun and playing triggers the release of neurotransmitters like dopamine and BDNF, which stimulate neuroplasticity. This allows the brain to form new connections, think more flexibly, and be more creative.
Builds Resilience: Playing with joy puts you in a relaxed state that creates emotional reserves, allowing you to deal with failure and stressful times in life.
