How to have more fun {at work}

There's a story I've told one too many times that I thought that maybe I could write it down to save some time. I think it's useful, and it's useful in the pursuit of making work (and life) more fun.

Here's the analogy. Even non-skiers get it:)

When a good skier skis, they know that they should either be "traversing" or "dropped in". They know that they should avoid doing both at the same time.

Stay with me one more sentence.

Traversing is going across the mountain and deciding what to ski and being "dropped in" is actual skiing.

Ok, so let's play with this idea. (No video yet)

During a given work week, I work from 9 AM till 5 PM, Monday through Friday. That's when our parents tried to work, so I'm just following their lead.

I don't work from 5 PM till 9 AM the next day and all weekend long.

I'm either skiing or I'm traversing. I'm either working or not working.

Here are a few more examples written by my robot friend if you'd like to play with the idea more.

Alright, let's expand on your skiing analogy with some examples crafted by me, your robot friend, to illustrate how this concept can apply to work and life.

1. Planning vs. Executing: Much like traversing and skiing, you can see planning and executing as two distinct phases in any project. During planning (traversing), you're laying out your path, deciding on the tasks, and setting goals. When you start executing (dropped in), you're fully engaged in the tasks, focused on achieving the goals. Mixing both can lead to inefficiencies, just as trying to plan while in the midst of executing can throw off your rhythm.
2. Learning vs. Applying: Consider the time you spend learning new skills or information as your traversing phase. You're exploring, gathering knowledge, and deciding what's useful. When you apply that knowledge to a real-world problem or project, you're in the skiing phase. You're actively using what you've learned to make progress. Trying to learn new concepts while applying them can sometimes slow down the process or lead to mistakes.
3. Ideation vs. Creation: When you're brainstorming ideas, whether for a new project, a piece of writing, or a business strategy, you're traversing. You're exploring the landscape of possibilities without committing to a specific direction. Once you choose an idea and start developing it, you're dropped into the creation phase. Here, the focus is on bringing the idea to life, not on generating new ones. Attempting to generate ideas while also trying to develop them can dilute your focus and energy.
4. Networking vs. Deep Work: Networking and building relationships can be seen as traversing. You're moving across the professional landscape, making connections, and exploring opportunities. Deep work, on the other hand, is when you're fully engaged in a challenging task, requiring your undivided attention—this is your skiing. Switching between networking and deep work too frequently can hinder your ability to make meaningful progress in either area.
5. Rest vs. Activity: Finally, consider your downtime as traversing. You're recharging, reflecting on what you've accomplished, and preparing for the next phase. When you engage in an activity, whether it's work-related or a personal hobby, you're in the skiing phase, fully immersed in the experience. Trying to mix rest and activity, such as working through your vacation, can prevent you from fully benefiting from either.

By distinguishing between these phases in various aspects of your life and work, you can approach each with greater focus and efficiency, enhancing both your productivity and your enjoyment.