Sometimes the simple act of play takes practice, at least for someone like me. And yet, my best work happens when I let myself PLAY! Do you tend to play at work or work at play? I am a master of turning any activity into work. My mother modeled the virtue that when the work is done, it is time to play; only the work was never done (especially as the mother of ten children). My dad was always outside working the land and hanging out with the animals. To this day he can find a dozen ways to transform his work into play by tapping into nature. I have discovered when I approach the “task” in front of me like a child playing a game, everything changes. All of a sudden the weight of responsibility is lifted from my shoulders and I am free. Wouldn’t you rather hang out in that land as much as possible? I am not saying ignore the practicalities of adult life. I am appealing to your powerful, playful self. I am shouting out from across the playground “red rover, red rover, send my reader right over.” I am asking you to break through the barrier to your creative side using play.

So this morning I had the thought. If I can turn anything into “work”, why not turn anything into “play!” As I sit here at my sweet desk, gazing out at the trees, I am taken back to the age of seventeen when I bought my first typewriter. It meant I was becoming an adult. I would sit at that typewriter for hours typing who knows what. I don’t remember the words, but I remember the feeling. I remember going into a magical zone where I could create a new world. The world as I saw it or as I wanted it to be. I loved every second of my time at that typewriter. It traveled with me to my first apartment and off to college. It took me to lands I never imagined.

My mind now goes to my children and I am struck by where their play has led them. My 26 year old son (after 4 years of college) has created a full time job working for Oasis Games, a store that sells Magic cards and holds tournaments. Sorting and organizing Magic cards is what my son does for relaxation. His mind can track hundreds of cards in a way that makes me wonder if he is a computer inside a human body. He did love the movie Terminator as a child, so who knows.

My 16 year old daughter is a writer and an artist. She experiences the world through all her senses. She inspires me with her constant capturing of ideas, words, images and colors. At a young age, she already sells her artwork to many clients and yet never feels like she is working. How can that be?

So how about you? Is there something you want to do but you keep getting stuck? It might be a simple task or a project. It might be planting a garden for the first time or going camping. Or maybe you just want to get through the emails or complete a project.

SEE IT – Take a look at what is going on. What feels heavy or hard? Why are you stuck? What is going on that you keep delaying? What is your truth in this situation? I am amazed that I still have to “give myself permission” to take a writing day in my business. I still carry the old mindset that I have to keep busy doing stuff all the time to be effective when I long to sit at my computer and just write.

MAP IT – What if you could take the approach of PLAY instead of being responsible – what would your vision for this project be like then? How would you approach it? What could you do to make it fun? Today, I chose to stay in my comfy T-shirt with bare feet, put scented lotion on my skin, and have music playing in the background. And of course, I have a cup of hot, black, strong coffee close by!

DO IT – Why not go for it! Give yourself two hours (or more) to get lost in PLAY. I can’t wait to hear about what you create when in this space. Personally, I have had a fabulous morning that was way more fun than I ever imagined when I sat down to write my blog. To think I might have missed this.

So what is the Clear and Simple Way to work? Just for today, it’s ok to play! Please share with me what you transform.

NOTE: a good read – Not Just a Living, by Mark Henricks who asks the question,
“What do I do for fun?”