Work In Colour - Work. Think. Live. In Colour
Tuesday 6th April 2010 | 13 comments
I woke up one day last week and realised I had lost a critical business asset, perhaps my most critical asset.
What had disappeared was my sense of humour, my willingness to have fun, my ability to play.
Not only was this making my work less enjoyable, it was also affecting the quality of my work - fewer clients signing up, fewer sessions where I felt 'that went really well', less confidence and surety of touch with my approaches.
I did some thinking and a bit of research, and there's no doubt that fun/play is essential at work, for at least these reasons:
If you want more, check out these weblinks:
Presentation Zen: The secret to great work is great play
M1Creativity: Fun@work project
Scientific American Mind: The Serious Need for Play
So, the problem was clear, but what to do?
Well, this weekend I am signing out of my daily grind (for such it has become...) and going down the coast to a Buddhist retreat centre, just to hang out, do some journalling, eat healthy food and sleep. No computers, no TV, no work, no chores, no nothing much...Then I am having a client-free week, so I can do some mindmapping, a bit of strategic thinking about the core areas I want to focus on in the next few months, have a massage or two - and every day, put some play back into my life.
(Ideas for ways to play are welcome!)
Tags: reflection, creativity, recharge, play, workplace, ted
Good for you, Joanna. Can't wait to hear how you get on.
Just last night, out of the blue, Fonnie took me to a short Comedy Festival show. I hadn't been out of Empire House for AGES.
It was only a minor outing, on a school night too, but it really blew fresh air into my cobwebs.
You definitely sound like you're on the right tram with your weekend and week. Peace out! :)
Thanks Paul - comedy shows sound most excellent, will track some down here in Sydney. (I actually tried to book Adam Hills here or on Melbourne but of course he was totally sold out...)
Thanks for the reminder Joanna - you put a smile on my face and bounce in my step. It is really too easy to fall into the grind; racing against the clock to meet deadlines and forget why you are doing what you do.
Thanks Tracey, now I just have to remember how to put that smile on my face and bounce back in MY step :)
Enjoy every minute of your break. You deserve it.
Thanks for the tips on how to de-stress.
Thanks, Violi, much appreciated!
and keeps us HEALTHY
Indeed Astrid, a great addition to the list - thanks!
Pre-internet and page design there was multi-media design. A great course I took in multimedia composition, our instructor taught us to use all of our senses for inspiration, including touch. A stash of playdough is critical -- but have a play space away from your desk so it's a break.
Take a spin past John Lasseter's desk by watching the 'extra' interviews in many of the Pixar DVDs. There's a still I captured from Finding Nemo in this piece (his office in the background) http://www.fastforwardblog.com/2009/11/09/why-fill-in-the-blank-fails/
Thanks for the playdough reminder, Paula - I often use plasticine in workshops so I have some handy already...I also loved your blog post on Pixar, very interesting stuff and thanks so much for sharing it here. I always remember the bit in Tim Brown's TED talk on play, where he shows the insides of offices including Pixar and Google, really fun! Check it out here: http://www.ted.com/talks/lang/eng/tim_brown_on_creativity_and_play.html
I'm completely jealous Joanna - you've given me the impetus to do something similar.
Enjoy!
I promise to report back with step by step instructions for you, Grace :)
Onya Joanna!
I have just done the very same thing - recharged my batteries - firstly a 4 day writing Intensive (while I have been awaiting the birth of my 2nd grandchild - btw, still not here!) which was great, and helped me revive an earlier project
and
then a lovely 3 days relaxing right on the beach at Bundeena - followed by a pedicure, and massage - Not quite sure how I am going to manage re-entry though! taking it easy...can't rush these things!
cheers, Marianne