Ever notice that everyone loves to do something and that for most of us that "something" is not work? Ever notice that people who truly love their work don't see it as work? There's something very significant behind their perceptions. "Work" is all about doing something you have to do, it's about survival, it's about struggle - it's not about having fun. Sure, we all want to survive and support our families but ask yourself if it really has to be "work" to do that. If you don't perceive your job as being "work" then you are freed from those very heavy thoughts.
Truly successful business people often look at their work as being a game. Look at Jack Stack and the choice of title for his book "The Great Game of Business". Admittedly what he describes is not all "play" but goes part of the way towards it. When we think of computer "tycoons" we think of people just playing around. Their companies are fun. We have long seen images of millionaire jet-setters, playboy tycoons and so on. They go around having a good time, business and money just flows to them.
Now, ask if you've ever noticed how good things happen to you when you play? Stress is relieved, we feel lighter and happier. Of course there are those who work at playing - I used to do that. I'd try to be the best I could at golf, at skiing, at soccer. The result of that "working at play" was frustration, falls and a serious injury. I finally awoke to the fact that I was "working at play", not really playing. Those around me could see it. They saw how I drove myself at everything I did, but it took me a while to believe them. For me, something that was less work, less struggle, less focused on survival was fun and therefore play. That's like beating your head against a wall just so you can feel good when you stop.
Now I'm just doing what I want for the fun of it. No more beating my head against the wall. I don't get stressed, I can enjoy the fresh air, the scenery, the company of whomever I'm with, I can release whatever stresses I have and truly get into the moment. Often times, when I get back from a game of golf (or any form of playing for that matter) there's a new business opportunity or a contract win waiting for me in my voice or email - with no push.
How can you use this? After all you've got a business to run and customers to satisfy. Imagine if everyone who "works" in your business saw themselves as being at play (not at work). Stress would be less, pressures would seem inconsequential, relationships would be easier and things would just get done by people who truly love doing them. If someone didn't like doing something like cleaning up the shop at the end of the day, then someone who did enjoy it would be doing it.
Ask people what they'd really like to be doing and relieve them of those things they really don't like doing. Turn your "work" place into a "play" place and see what a difference it can make.
