When was the last time you went down a slide or took a ride on a swing?
Games of pirates, fairies, space wars, mystery seekers and princesses fill the playground daily. Can you feel it? Do you remember when you played one of these games yourself; many years ago? Close your eyes and think back to a time when you ran free; letting your imagination take flight.
What does that feel like?
In David Slayden’s (2015) article, we learn of companies who are thriving because of their in-office play environment. Companies like Google [and Zappos] built their culture around the idea that to improve productivity and creativity, employees must incorporate play in their workday.
Allowing ourselves to find a moment each day to release stress from work and instant, mobile activity is refreshing to our mind and body. When stress is realized through play (a game with co-workers), Slayden says that your focus on job tasks should heighten.
Studies show, Sladen posits, companies benefit by adding a pinball machine in the break room or starting a company softball team. Leaders who are creative will find ways to add play to the employees workday. Google, for instance, has a rule (80/20) where employees should spend 80% of their day working productively on their job tasks and 20% on pet projects that spark their interest. Working on these projects allows employees to get out of their department and build relationships with others in the company.
Typically, play and work are separated by our limitations to the rules that exist in the play area, office or classroom. What would your 10th grade English teacher say if you got up from your seat, sat on the floor and started to play jacks?
I have to admit there were many times I held back my desire to run up the slide to catch my daughter because, well, I am an adult and we do not do things like that. According to the article, I should get more return on my investment of time with my kids by playing a little. The next time you are at the park, you may catch me running up the slide and running silly.
My advice is to try playing peek-a-boo in your office or classroom. For the sake of productivity and happiness, go out and play like you were a kid again!
References
Slayden, D. (2015, June 3). Lessons from the playground: The ROI of play in the office. Retrieved on June 4, 2015 from http://www.entrepreneur.com/article/246560
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