Completely agree! People tend to think their work will suffer if they play, but the opposite can often be true. I think I have done my best work with others whenever the atmosphere was maximally playful.
I was a amateur programmer for years. People warned me that making an avocation a vocation can ruin the fun of it. Fortunately I made it into research where it became fun again. Thanks to my great bosses for over 20 years! Now I am retired due to MS. Now I can play as long as I have the energy. :-)
That's awesome. I love jiu jitsu, but it's very easily conflated in my mind with any kind of conflicts in the business or general toxicity in the sport/art, so my profession has absolutely colored my participation to an uncomfortable degree.
We get to see our three grandkids almost everyday - ages 15, 10, and 9. One day, my granddaughter and I were turning a big box into a multi story doll house. We were working on it outside and she said it was so nice out, we should set up the tent and sleep in the backyard. And so we did. Being with children and acting like a child. Reading stories with them and inflecting the voice to match the character. The younger grandson is first year cello. On the walk home from school today, we started rhyming words with cello. Kept adding and rejecting till we got to “A mellow jello cello fellow bellows, ‘Marshmellows!’” And then as we were walking up the driveway, he added ‘hello’ and he went inside to tell his dad.
Also enjoy/play walking and bicycling the neighborhood and to local destinations and nature trails.
In my side hustle (yoga and fitness classes), I encourage fidgeting and movement (vs “holding” a pose, I tell them to “find the edges of the pose”). Through play we can find that what we *thought* was the pose is really not the shape our body was made to make.
With my kids, I told them to “make memories”—I don’t remember the math classes, I remember the road trips, the naps in the sunlight, and professor standing on the desk to make a point in Econ. Play makes the neural connections malleable, lasting. (I have no scientific evidence to back this up, just what I believe).
I think there is ample evidence to support this! The math teacher I almost certainly learned the most from was just an absolute master at engaging with us kids. We all had our own nicknames... in a Calculus class. So damn cool.
I am a simple man. Comfy foods, a little bit of beer or a glass of wine, plus some relaxing music would do fine. In some cases I'll rewatch older tv series and marvel at the quality of acting&writing from a bygone era. In recent years, my readers' feedback has helped me unwind even during my darkest hours.
I really enjoy the conversations we all have here! And, same: I think I don't need a lot to enjoy myself with play. I would love a good wifi connection, but that's about it.
Once I quit a job and made a crack at one of the founders on my way out the door and all of a sudden they really wanted me to stay. I toiled away in relative obscurity until that point. That was the moment I realized I did my best work when I combined work & play. It’s hard to pull off though
I can't remember if I read much Vonnegut before my 20s. We got Slaughterhouse Five during maybe sophomore year in high school, which while an excellent book, is not even top ten for me for Vonnegut. I don't think it adequately showcases his weird playfulness.
Play is crucially important for work too. We take ourselves too seriously too often.
Completely agree! People tend to think their work will suffer if they play, but the opposite can often be true. I think I have done my best work with others whenever the atmosphere was maximally playful.
I listen to music, such as the Ohio Players....
What's their best album? I'll throw it on today!
"Fire" and "Honey" are probably their best-known albums, but you could always look up their greatest hits albums as well...
I'm more into full albums. I'll give "Fire" a shot next!
With photography I can play and not have to worry about anything. That's the beauty in being an amateur.
Good point. There is pressure in the professional realm, and the joy of play can get sucked away if you're not careful.
I was a amateur programmer for years. People warned me that making an avocation a vocation can ruin the fun of it. Fortunately I made it into research where it became fun again. Thanks to my great bosses for over 20 years! Now I am retired due to MS. Now I can play as long as I have the energy. :-)
That's awesome. I love jiu jitsu, but it's very easily conflated in my mind with any kind of conflicts in the business or general toxicity in the sport/art, so my profession has absolutely colored my participation to an uncomfortable degree.
Always a balance to be struck between avocation and vocation. Or in anything for that matter. :-)
We get to see our three grandkids almost everyday - ages 15, 10, and 9. One day, my granddaughter and I were turning a big box into a multi story doll house. We were working on it outside and she said it was so nice out, we should set up the tent and sleep in the backyard. And so we did. Being with children and acting like a child. Reading stories with them and inflecting the voice to match the character. The younger grandson is first year cello. On the walk home from school today, we started rhyming words with cello. Kept adding and rejecting till we got to “A mellow jello cello fellow bellows, ‘Marshmellows!’” And then as we were walking up the driveway, he added ‘hello’ and he went inside to tell his dad.
Also enjoy/play walking and bicycling the neighborhood and to local destinations and nature trails.
I love this. Let's never stop being kids inside.
In my side hustle (yoga and fitness classes), I encourage fidgeting and movement (vs “holding” a pose, I tell them to “find the edges of the pose”). Through play we can find that what we *thought* was the pose is really not the shape our body was made to make.
With my kids, I told them to “make memories”—I don’t remember the math classes, I remember the road trips, the naps in the sunlight, and professor standing on the desk to make a point in Econ. Play makes the neural connections malleable, lasting. (I have no scientific evidence to back this up, just what I believe).
I think there is ample evidence to support this! The math teacher I almost certainly learned the most from was just an absolute master at engaging with us kids. We all had our own nicknames... in a Calculus class. So damn cool.
All work and no play make Daniel GET AHEAD IN LIFE WHILE YOU WASTE YOUR TIME CREATING FUN AND MEMORABLE MOMENTS THAT MAKE LIFE WORTH LIVING, SUCKERS!
I might be missing the point here.
Have you considered moving to the United States?
What kind of game is that? Sounds like gambling to me.
We are the undisputed kings of never having any fun at the expense of our productivity.
Yet another thought provoking article :D
Thanks! How do you like to unwind? I mean, besides writing, obviously!
I am a simple man. Comfy foods, a little bit of beer or a glass of wine, plus some relaxing music would do fine. In some cases I'll rewatch older tv series and marvel at the quality of acting&writing from a bygone era. In recent years, my readers' feedback has helped me unwind even during my darkest hours.
I really enjoy the conversations we all have here! And, same: I think I don't need a lot to enjoy myself with play. I would love a good wifi connection, but that's about it.
Feel free to poke me in the chat. Even though I am constantly writing/editing/drafting, I am always up for a nice chat :D
Once I quit a job and made a crack at one of the founders on my way out the door and all of a sudden they really wanted me to stay. I toiled away in relative obscurity until that point. That was the moment I realized I did my best work when I combined work & play. It’s hard to pull off though
Weird example of this! I love it.
Kurt Vonnegut: “I tell you, we are here on Earth to fart around, and don't let anybody tell you different.”
Vonnegut went further to shape my thinking than almost anyone else around age 23 or so. He was like a breath of fresh air for my mind.
Same! Maybe even younger. But haven't read him in forever so I'm going to get some of his stuff I never read
I can't remember if I read much Vonnegut before my 20s. We got Slaughterhouse Five during maybe sophomore year in high school, which while an excellent book, is not even top ten for me for Vonnegut. I don't think it adequately showcases his weird playfulness.
can i also say i love today's image