Why play is powerful tool for your career

I am sure you have heard the phrase “find a job you enjoy doing, and you will never have to work a day in your life.” It pops up frequency in the world of career coaching and business consultancy; it’s rings so true against my coaching aims of creating a career to enjoy not endure. But HOW can you make this happen? Today I want to talk to you a little about play, and how it can be a powerful tool for your career.

I am sure by know we all know the power of play for learning and emotional development; when we have little ones in our life we spend hours considering how the toys and games we give them, and the experiences we create, are helping them learn about themselves and what they are capable of. We relish watching the progress they make over time and encourage their imaginations to go wild.

Knowing what we know about play, why is it something that we often minimise in adulthood? A whole new value is placed on what we do, with a different purpose for it be valid. Creativity is encouraged if it brings income, sports are only worth it if it’s about exercise or competition. We are encouraged to not “waste our time” and allocate deadlines and goals in parts of our lives that don’t always need it. Yet, when we are asked about what we have done that has been really enjoyable, it’s often play that is the backbone of the activity.

The interesting thing I witness, in training and coaching, as well as my previous corporate life, it the ways that play creeps into our lives without us always noticing. Hands up who has been on some type of bonding event. You know, the annual team building days. When you look back, so many of these are really playful; from physical adventures to culinary creation, they are encouraging you to tap into your playful, imaginative side. This is not just a great experience, but a chance to learn.

Why play is powerful for your career

Whilst many of my clients may not notice it, the imaginative part of play comes up a lot during my coaching. When we are looking for ways to move them closer to their goals, or to envision what is possible, I ask them to imagine “what could be?”. To work what they know and fill in the gaps. To predict what may happen next. To share what their ideal situation will be.
Yes, we can spend a bit of time “off with the fairies” and imagining something that is far from reality; but at some point we are able to take a glimmer of truth or potential from that unrestricted thinking and turn it into a plan, and then action.
This playfulness is great for any time you are trying to be creative in your career or life; to move away from the obvious route or solutions, and to explore something a little different.

So, next time you are at a crossroads, stuck to what you could do next, ask yourself one of more of these questions! Just imagine where they could take you!

1. If you could start from scratch what would you do?
2. What advice would your role model give you?
3. If you had all the time / money in the world what would you do?
4. If you were all powerful magician, what would you do?

So, over to you. Let’s see what happens when you are little more playful with you career. What opportunities can this open up? Has it uncovered a side of you, you hadn’t realised you had?
Come over to Creating Careers to Enjoy and share your answers!

Clara Wilcox is a straight-talking, practical and experienced coach helping clients navigate the tricky waters of returning to work, career changes and professional development. The Balance Collective has a social mission, focused on improving the lives of parents, by working together to build inner confidence and promote a healthy work/life balance. Isn’t it time to create a career to enjoy?