FC NOW: The Fast Company Weblog
January 30, 2006
Leading Ideas: Play More
"We don't stop playing because we grow old; We grow old because we stop playing." -- George Bernard Shaw (1856-1950) Irish playwright and essayist
A friend of mine is a corporate attorney who is married with 3 kids. About two years ago he recognized that his work was putting a tremendous amount of stress on his family and marriage. He (and his wife) didn't like who he was becoming. And they set out to make some changes. "Aside from carving out daily time to spend together, one of the greatest things we did was create Play Day," he told me. "Once a month, one of my kids picks out a family activity that we all do together for a day. The only rule is that it's got to be something they find fun! We love it because it not only allows my wife and I to see the world from our kids' eyes, but also it allows us to reconnect with our own playfulness."
Consider This:
The quickest way to grow old is to take yourself too seriously. When you do, the playfulness gets sucked out of everything around you. Your job. Your hobbies. Your time with family & friends. As you grow older, it's easy to fall victim to the illusion that playtime is over. It's not. Do some experimenting. Be more playful at meetings. At home with your family. When you meet a stranger on the street. And even when things aren't going your way. That's often when it's most important.
Try This:
1. Do some brainstorming with family and colleagues about how you can introduce more fun into your daily routine.
2. Create some structures to make sure it happens (after hearing this story one of my clients is trying a Play Day for his company).
3. Don't take yourself too seriously - it'll burn you out quickly.
Posted by Doug Sundheim at January 30, 2006 4:25 PM | Category: leadership |
9 Comments
ADVERTISEMENT
FC NOW MENU
NEWSLETTERS
FC NOW CATEGORIES
FC READS
Yep...it's easy to get so wrapped up in career that you forget the real reason why you started a career in the first place (to take good care of your family and live and share quality time together).
You're lucky you caught the problem before it was too late.
It's a sad commentary on the state of the American family that one whole day a month with your family is considered an improvement.
In my family, every day is play day.
COD - Regarding your comment above, I don't believe you read the original post fully. It says, "Aside from carving out daily time to spend together, one of the greatest things we did was create Play Day"
I don't think it's seriousness that sucks the fun out of play. I imagine there are artists who have great fun without the silly-factor, and a case of the giggles while rock climbing could be... challenging.
I think it's more the baggage of expectations, risk-aversion, and unwillingness to experiment and *gasp* fail that puts the emotional burden on non-play endeavors.
Good Blog. Although I to use the translation of google to read
I agree with Keith. We get so spurned by those who made fun of us when we failed, tripped, made a fool of ourselves when we were kids that we forget the feeling of trying something new for the first time. Sure you may fail, but what a time could be had while trying. Get the newness of being a kid again.
I hadn't really thought about it until I read the blog, it reminded me of something a boss once told me. "If we're not having fun, we're doing something wrong." That was a great job!
You should try living in Pennsylvania Dutch country, where the idea of "fun" is sleeping in until 6 a.m.
I am an outcast and non-conformist because I refuse to be "old" and, instead, I enjoy life and laugh.
Kudos to those who do the same, and to the others: you get what you ask for, and yes, we are laughing AT you!
part of playing is being willing to do silly things, being seen as silly. toddlers are the best teachrs for that. contrast that we are persona at work. we must look like professionals! or else. (or else what????) having recognzied that I too was 'playfully challetged' a few years back, i ran playshops for a bunch of professionals equally challenged. we mostly played with paint - made fun art on paperplates and the like. it's amazing how this type of childlike activity will loosen up our seriousness muscles. interestingly amazing wisdom surfaced from this place of playing!