Play more, achieve more

It's my first week back at work after the Christmas break. Like everyone else I'm trying to get back into the swing of it. I'm putting pants on everyday, refraining from day drinking and operating on a schedule again.

I had four separate conversations today which revolved around the theme of I'm back, I'm struggling with motivation and I don't really want to be here.

So let's shake ourselves out of that mentality. We're given a finite number of minutes to spend on this planet. I'm not prepared to wait until the whistle blows to enjoy those few minutes I get between finishing work and going to bed each night.

Yeah, there's work to do. There's work work, then there's the work of being an adult. Household chores, paying bills, making sure that the family stays alive.

I've written once before that "I think that each of us is just a child wearing an overcoat that we call adulthood.? That coat is made up of mortgages, jobs, and responsibilities.

It’s up to us to be brave enough to open that coat and let the child in us be able to breath, play and live."

So, I'm going to play. There are plenty of studies that link play in the workplace to increased productivity amongst both individuals and teams. Here's a great article from Forbes that backs up what I'm saying https://www.forbes.com/sites/tracybrower/2019/03/03/boost-productivity-20-the-surprising-power-of-play/?sh=1d541e3f7c05

The play shouldn't take over and become disruptive, but we should be able to laugh and encourage each other to enjoy our days.

Here's an example. A colleague and I used to give each other words, specific words which didn't sit within our normal daily lexicon. Our challenge to each other was that we would have to use that word in context in our next conversation with a client. Simple and harmless but it kept us amused.

I once worked in an office where when a new client signed up to our business the sales lead would ring a bell.

There are clients of mine who've told me that they're on fitness or health journeys, so instead of meeting in an office or over a meal, we go for a walk and chat as we walk.

I know that there are leaders and HR managers who might be clutching their pearls in anticipation of office "shenanigans" and yes, common sense must prevail. But play and fun at work can be had within respectful and even professional boundaries. Use common sense folks.

So here's the challenge I'm sending out to you. How are you going to make your day at work more fun? How are you going to open up that overcoat and enjoy the moment like the kid in you wants to? If you're a leader, how are you going to encourage that environment in your team?

If you're stuck for ideas, give me a call. I'm always happy to cheer you on.