How many times have you found yourself uninspired at work? Getting caught up in the mechanics, your responsibilities and the demands of those around you. So often we wake up to go to work and it feels as if we never left – as if we are living life on autopilot.
You may love what you do but there is no doubt that the workplace has more chances of being called the playground of adults than any other environment. The "playground" can be contentious for some, but at its root the playground is not just a play area for children, but an environment in which people can learn new skills or think about things differently. It's where we learn and practice the concept of play, take risks and experiment with a soft place to land – enabling us to learn fast.
The potential of having this mindset is that it may help the workplace to become something that resembles playing rather than working. Although not everyone might be on board with this idea, there are many benefits to getting rid of the 'work hard, play hard' mentality and embracing the concept of WORK: The Adult Playground.
With the play mentality you can transform the ways you connect, communicate, generate ideas and celebrate wins with a team! Playful individuals aren’t afraid to take risks, generate new ideas or try new things. It gives others the space to see possibilities and opportunities, the ability to throw out stale routines and practices, change mindsets and redefine that being wrong and messing up is not just okay but a healthy part of the growth process that encourages collaboration, learning from mistakes and creating innovative solutions.
Play has the potential to develop creativity, imagination and cultivate curiosity in others helping us form closer bonds with each other. The result of the play is laughter which brings people together through joy and fun! For anyone who wants a deeper sense of teamwork and cooperation, play may be a good option for exploring an alternative approach to work because it allows you to explore what you have in common rather than focusing on differences or conflicts.
How does “WORK: The Adult Playground” Work?
1. Be prepared for the unexpected – embrace surprise and be ready to laugh at yourself!
2. Don't take it too seriously – remember where the boundaries lie and respect them – but don't be afraid to push those boundaries.
3. Be responsible for yourself – don't let the boundaries put the brakes on your imagination or spontaneity, but be responsible for how you choose to explore them.
4. Don't over-plan it – have a general idea of what you want the outcome to be from your Adult Playground exploration, but leave space for play and surprise that may lead to unexpected outcomes too!
5. Remember why you're doing it – running an adult playground offers many benefits, including developing leadership skills and ultimately bringing people together in a safe environment where they can learn new things about themselves very quickly - all while having fun!
6. Keep going! After all, who doesn't enjoy a bit of playful learning?
For some, being an adult is all about setting and attaining realistic goals. This approach, however, may have disconnected us from something more fundamental to our nature – play. Playing is a natural instinct that we have had since we were children. When we observe and encourage actions that elicit natural glee, we are better able to learn and live as happy, healthy adults.
The purpose of an adult playground is to take the seriousness out of life. It's about creating a safe place where you can test things, learn new skills and connect with others through play. By doing this, it's possible to tap into your creativity and curiosity. This experience can give you more energy, improve productivity or simply help you make better decisions.
Most importantly, running your own adult playground means having fun!
So which part of an Adult Playground are YOU excited to try first? Have questions about how the concept should be used in your setting? Let us know below or email us at thinking@doorward.com.
Our CTO, Stephen Aydt, helps us to look at our careers through a different lens and shares his insights on how to stay in a playground mindset
This article was written, edited and published by members or collaborators of the Doorward Team. Doorward Inc. maintains a positive outlook on the inherent dignity of each: their singular ability to reason and create, to choose and likewise be responsible for their decisions. We defend their best intentions and affirm each person’s freedom to express their own thoughts and opinions and experiences, and to engage in civil discussion regarding them.
This article is meant to be thought-provoking, and is not intended to be specific direction for the topic of this post. Please do your own research and consult the appropriate people for guidance before making a decision related to the topic of this post.
