Take Time to Play

I’m an achiever. My Strengthsfinder® profile doesn’t indicate this is a top strength area, but I really do strive for perfection and take pride in accomplishing goals. Many of you can relate to the desire to achieve something big every week. To do this, I often find myself checking email and doing work research at home, at the community pool and even at church. The latter promptly gets me scathing looks and a gentle (most of the time) nudge from my wife.

While this level of focus can yield high productivity and excellent outcomes, there is a price to be paid every time we “connect” during our “off” hours. We are trading the joy of play for the advancement of our career. We are trading Kodak moments with our children, spouse and friends for artwork proofs and budget reviews. We are trading a deeper relationship with our Creator for a longer résumé and higher pay. All the while, we are losing our sense of wonder, exploration and nonsensical laughter that we once enjoyed as children.

Last week, I took our family to Hershey Park in Hershey, PA. We are fortunate to live only 40 minutes away from the “Sweetest place on Earth.” It was a sweet day indeed. Our youngest leveled up in height category, expanding his experience by two large rollercoasters, including the first loop coaster I rode as a child. Excitement grew as we approached the Sooper-Dooper Looper and continued well after the loop and hills. My favorite moment came late in the day when our oldest rode a “kiddy ride” with his younger brother.

The yellow lady bug ride was certainly not as fast or furious as the coasters big brother had been enjoying all day, but as you can see by his face, it provided no less excitement. At only 7 years old, he wanted to be a kid again, playing like a 4 year old. It made me stop and wonder, why don’t I play like that anymore?

Only moments ago, my writing was interrupted. Big brother asked me to help him beat a level on Lego Batman 3. My first thought was, “Can’t you see I’m trying to work here?” Then I remembered the content of this post. Humbled, I proceeded downstairs, and we cleaned house on the Joker and Poison Ivy. Honestly, it was fun!

You can only bring your best when you’ve taken time to rest.

Whatever your outlet for “play” happens to be, I strongly encourage you to do it more often. Here is why.

1. Play decreases stress. It comes as no surprise that numerous studies prove that when we play, we forget about life’s troubles. Our blood pressure normalizes and muscle tensions dissolve. The decreased stress during play refuels our mind and body to handle the next bout of stress when it arrives.
2. Play helps create balance. I am all for working hard, but without relaxation, there will be no energy for the hard work. You can only bring your best when you’ve taken time to rest.
3. Play keeps us from being too serious. Years ago a colleague of mine told me, “You take yourself too seriously.” I didn’t understand him and was half-offended. Looking back, he was right. No one wants to follow a self-absorbed prudish leader. Play helps remind us that life doesn’t have to always be a dramatic tragedy. It can be a comedy too.

Steven Covey, author of The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, coined the phrase “work first, then play.” He didn’t say, “Work first, then work some more.” This week I encourage you to work hard, then take some time to play.

Let me know how you spend your play time in the comment section below.