Get Out of the Office and Play

What is play, even for us adults?

And can play really benefit your career?

Esther Perel, the amazing therapist, said that play is when risk-taking is fun.

Play might seem dangerous, for adults. I’m not saying go out and hike Angels Landing in Utah. Or tell your boss to take this job and shove it. I’m saying, take a chance, and take a smart risk. One that will grow you, even if it fails. Especially when it fails.

We adults are scared to play because we are scared to fail. But, failure is a signal, an iteration. Rather than looking at failure as something to be avoided at all costs, we should see it as a necessary part of the learning process.

So, why go out and play, even when we may stub our (metaphorical) toe?

Play stimulates not just the body, but the mind. You get out of your normal routine, and see your work, your life, your self, through a different lens. Ideas can flow forth that may have been stuck in the hamster wheel of commutes, meetings, and endless Slack messages.

Don’t overcomplicate things. Remember when you were a kid, and play was just running around a playground, or riding your bike through the neighborhood?

It can be that simple as an adult. Cook, crochet, hike in the rain. Get out of what you normally do, and explore what you can do.

Bring play into the office

Does that feel like too much risk? Explore a path that you *think* you know. Then, check out that side path over there.

How can you bring that sense of play into your career?

Play is about discovery. Discovery of yourself, discovery what you didn’t know, discovery of things you might have forgotten.

Let’s look at your career. How can you be a kid again, and discover play in your career?

• Adopt a beginner's mindset: Approach a task you normally do as if you're doing it for the first time. This can help you question assumptions and discover new and better ways of approaching your work.

• Create a "play budget": Set aside some time or resources for experimental projects or learning opportunities. This could be as simple as dedicating an hour a week to explore a new tool or concept related to your field.

• Embrace "productive procrastination": Sometimes, the best ideas come when you're not actively trying to solve a problem. Give yourself brief periods of structured distraction. Take a walk, doodle, or engage in a quick puzzle. These moments of play can lead to amazing breakthroughs in your work.

What happens when you bring these play ideas into your work?

• More resilience: Setbacks are part of the deal; you build mental adaptability.

• Better work-life integration: When work feels more like play, the boundaries between professional and personal life become less rigid, leading to greater overall satisfaction.

• Improved mental health: Play acts as a natural stress-reliever, helping to prevent burnout and maintain a positive outlook.

Play is having fun, and more—it's about exploring, learning, and growing. When you bring a playful mindset to your career, you invest in your long-term success. Take that "smart risk" and rediscover the power of play in your work life. Your future self will thank you for it.   

I’m Richard Taliaferro. I’m a certified career and health coach, trained in habit change, specializing in helping mid-stage professionals gain clarity on their career and health journeys. I invite you to click on the link, and let’s talk about how I can support you.