Why You Should, Step Away and Play!

Introduction

One of the interesting findings of research conducted in the 20th century is that the concept of play is of paramount importance to children. Often before that time, society didn't think much of child's play. But the role play has in childhood development has become clearer and clearer and it's role has grown in importance.

But no matter what adults do or how much they study "play." Children blissfully ignore them and just go and play. You don't need research to uncover the fact that children play at almost any time and any place. In fact, according to a report by the Minnesota Children's Museum written by Dr. Rachel E. White, "virtually every child, the world over, plays. The drive to play is so intense that children will do so when they have no real toys, when parents do not actively encourage the behavior, and even in the middle of a war zone."

So it's of no surprise that even when we grow up we still like to play. Lego comes to mind for adults. So do hobbies, adult sports leagues, and, even, pet projects. In the introduction to a book edited by Charles E. Schaefer, titled "Play Therapy with Adults," Dottie Ward-Wimmer writes "play can increase our self-esteem. It invites access to states of well-being and calm as well as silliness and joy. When relaxed in play, we often have an increased capacity for empathy and intimacy." On the weekends and evenings, we often indulge in some form of play.

Work and Play?

But what about play and work? Those two terms don't seem to be compatible. But, indeed, they are. Play and work are more compatible than you think. In the peer-reviewed journal "American Journal of Play" (yes there is research on play) a relatively recent article (2016) about play and work titled "Play and Productivity: Enhancing the Creative Climate at Workplace Meetings with Play Cues" found that using play cues significantly enhanced the creative climate and playfulness in workplace meetings without risking meeting productivity."

The article also talks about other studies linking creativity and play. It reports on an article that found that "college students performed better on a creativity test after playing a video game; and high-arousal levels together with a positive mood resulted in greater scores of creativity." They reported on a study where there was an increase in test scores after college students played imaginative role-playing games. They also report on a study that indicates that when students imagined themselves as a 7-year old, they scored higher on a test of creativity than a control group.

Play and seeing the world through the eyes of a child is still an important part of creativity, productivity and, I'd offer in a world of "cold hard facts" and an inhuman fixation on the bottom line, play is even more important than ever. And, ironically, play leads to innovation and new approaches, product ideas and new thought patterns...exactly what companies need to be successful in the future.

Step Away!

So how can you make time to play? And to play without loosing the need to be creative and bring it back to your organization? The answer is Step Away!

I am part of a team that has created a unique. One of a kind experience that expertly combines play with work and provides the chance to step away, create and play. It's a small setting, only 10 or so folks but it's not a waste of time, instead, it's the best use of your time.

Every room is themed after a different game from your childhood (Risk, Clue, Stratego, Scrabble) and we all work together to explore creativity, productivity and design. We'll discuss elements of design thinking, explore how to use game elements in the design process and map out how you can recreate the creative process reliably and consistently.

Don't miss the great opportunity to Step Away! Register TODAY!