The best advice I can give my coaching clients when work and the world feel suffocating? Play!
In coaching I talk about four pillars and those are work, play, people, and health. For those with faith, we add that as well. Often when we’re busy pouring into our work, the other areas suffer. And while there is a season for everything, you must revisit this framework regularly to be sure that you are truly taking care of yourself.
I was once told, “But Jen, I don’t even know how to play. I’m exhausted and everything feels too heavy to change.” Did that just hit home? I’ve been there. And most often I hear, “I don’t have time.” Well, take it from my friend with the recent cancer diagnosis—she didn’t have time for that but she sure is having to rearrange priorities now. Life doesn’t always give us choices of how to spend our time, so better to be proactive while you are still in control of your calendar.
Recently the best advice I could give a client who was overwhelmed and paralyzed with deciding on how to tackle his workload was to snuggle on the couch with his kids and watch a cartoon over the weekend and we’d regroup the following week. While I respect anyone who is working hard to provide for their family, play allows margin to remember what/who we’re working for. Who doesn’t agree that sometimes you just need to snuggle?
Still need convincing? Think of how these pillars are interconnected. If your family feels neglected and there is arguing, resentment or worse, silence, because of it, your distracted mind means your work suffers. When you let work override your Sabbath and leave no margin for your relationship with your faith or time for reflection, you lose focus on the meaning of your work. And when your schedule is so packed that you no longer find joy in old pastimes like pick-up soccer, reading a novel or taking a vacation, you become the type of person that nobody wants to do business with.
Making time for play isn’t just about having fun; it’s a crucial part of maintaining a balanced and healthy life, which ultimately makes you more effective at work!
Play doesn’t need to be a major time or financial commitment. Which of these 10 suggestions can you implement to make play a priority?
- Schedule It: Just like you schedule meetings, block out specific times for play in your calendar. Treat it as a non-negotiable appointment with yourself.
- Set Boundaries: Define clear boundaries between work and play. This can mean setting a strict end time for your workday or creating a dedicated space for work that you leave at a certain time.
- Take Breaks: Integrate short breaks into your workday. Even a 10-minute walk can refresh your mind, give you a dose of Vitamin D and reduce stress.
- Combine Activities: Find ways to blend other pillars with play. Go on a hike with friends, play in the band at church or plan a family activity.
- Unplug: Designate specific times to disconnect from work-related technology. Use this time to engage in activities that don’t require a screen, whether it’s reading, playing a sport, or gardening.
- Mindfulness and Relaxation: Practice mindfulness or meditation to help manage work-related stress and make it easier to transition into play mode.
- Reward Yourself: Set small goals and reward yourself with playtime upon completion. This can provide motivation and a sense of accomplishment.
- Plan a Vacation: Half the fun is the anticipation! If possible, schedule a trip where there is no wi-fi service so that you aren’t tempted to work. Think camping and cruises.
- Create Playful Routines: Integrate play into your daily routines. This could be a morning exercise session, a lunchtime walk in the park, or an evening hobby. Making play a regular part of your day helps ensure it doesn’t get pushed aside by work.
- Engage in Social Activities: Plan social activities with friends or family. Having others involved can make it easier to commit to playtime.
If you can’t think of any way that you could find joy in “playing” then you definitely need more play time! Maybe one of these suggestions below will resonate.
- Waterplay in the yard with the kids (or by yourself but you might look silly)
- Reignite an old hobby
- Attend a local sporting event
- Listen to live music
- Test your memory at a trivia night
- Paddleboard at a local lake
- Dust off the cornhole boards and invite your friends over
- Have a movie night under the stars
- Sign up for a class to learn a new skill
- Go thrifting & make it a game (time limit and $10 to find an outfit you have to wear!)
I’d love to hear how you’re incorporating play into your busy schedule. Tag me @thejenadvantage when you post about it!