September 15, 2020

Work needs Play

Justifying Work is easy. Work is defined. It has goals, objectives, key results. It has a beginning (a start time or a first activity), and it has an end (either the day is done, or you’ve hit your goals). Work is often the stuff that results in income, but it doesn’t have to. Work is typically generated by someone or something else, and given to us to complete. Work is the stuff you do before Play.

Justifying Play is difficult. Play is extra-curricular; the stuff that happens only when there is no more work. Play isn’t as defined as work, either. True play does not begin with a goal. It doesn’t come from someone else, so we can’t Play on someone else’s behalf. We have to make our own Play, and there’s risk in it. In fact, there’s so much uncertainty in Play that maybe we’re scared of it. The easy thing to say is, “I can’t play, I have to work.” We never seem to say the reverse.

The thing with Play is that it’s always beneficial – it has never wasted my time. In contrast, Work often wastes a lot of time; spending all day getting that manager that report that no one needs anyway – that’s work. Play, if nothing else, feeds the soul, every single time.

I’ve got a lot of work on right now. Books to deliver, deadlines to ‘hit’, people to impress. But I only have that work because, 12 months ago, I prioritised Play. I took the risk to try something new, something out of my comfort zone. I said, for once, “Sorry I can’t work, I have to play”. What comes out of play is fresh thinking, new materials, and ultimately, new ways to produce the Work. Work that is good. Work that is useful. Work that helps others build empathy, compassion, kindness. The best work comes from Play.

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