“Play expands our minds in ways that allow us to explore: to germinate new ideas or see old ideas in a new light. It makes us more inquisitive, more attuned to novelty, more engaged. Play is fundamental to living the way of the Essentialist.”

What are the benefits of playing as an adult and how can business owners improve their performance by including Play as a strategy?

• Stress relief: Release feel good hormones
• Brain function: Fun stimulates the brain
• Emotional well-being: Positive behavior
• Productivity: Quality of work improves. Flexibility
• Prevents Burnout: A break from work stress and boredom
• Refreshes mind and body: Provides energy and positive feelings
• New experiences: Environment and people exploration. Break from structure.
  Become inquisitive.
• Community: Social well being
• Creativity: Problem solving / lateral thinking. Imagination. Think up new ideas
• Risk taking: Become adventurous

‘A little nonsense now and then is cherished by the wisest men’

Roald Dahl

Wheel of life Exercise: Focus on Play

⚡ (Rate yourself out of 10 for each:)

1. Adventure
2. Social
3. Creativity
4. Fun
5. Imagination
6. Risk taking
7. Laughter
8. Physical

⚡ Now write what you can do to enhance in that area, and mark it in your diary to get excited about it.

“Nothing fires up the brain like play”

Essentialists know play is important and that it sparks exploration.

Stress shuts down creativity, productivity, decision making, anticipating, reasoning, analyzing, and overall thinking.

? Colombus was at play when he realized the world was round.
? Newton was at play when he watched an apple fall from a tree and discovered gravity.
? Einstein continually played and thought up his experiment.

Companies are now realizing the importance of play in the workplace for performance and productivity:

? Twitter started an improv class at the company to help them stretch and open their minds.
? Google has large dinosaurs and flamingos.
? Pixar offices are set like movie screens.
? Desk toys are being encouraged.

How do you play?
Have you noticed how it improves areas of your business overall performance?
Are you looking for more effective strategies to improve your marketing performance?