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Embrace the Play

one-person business

There's an Oreo commercial currently airing that uses the tagline, "Stay playful." I wholeheartedly endorse its message and it got me to thinking...

Two of the most powerful tools for a one-person business owner are creativity and imagination. There's nothing that sharpens these two tools better than playfulness.

When I was a young boy our neighbor used to babysit me and my siblings. I loved when she babysat because she was so incredibly playful and fun.

Some of my favorite memories of her babysitting are the many times we would play Abba's Arrival album on the record player full blast and dance from one end of the house to the other, through all the rooms singing at the top of our lungs.

Now, as a grown man I couldn't be more thankful for those playful moments. I didn't know it at the time, but those moments and others like them were encouraging my creativity and strengthening my imagination.

Although play is all fun and games (until someone loses an eye😁), there are some serious benefits to it. Just to name a few, play helps:

  • Boost social skills.
  • Brain development.
  • Improve verbal skills.
  • Aid in decision making.
  • Prepare brain for learning.
  • Strengthen bonds and team connection.
  • Prepare for creativity and problem solving.
  • Prevent health problems and bolster the immune system.

But how can adults who aren't naturally playful invite more play into their lives? How can you embrace the play?

  • Learn a new skill.
  • Play a sport...any sport.
  • Start a new type of workout.
  • Share a funny personal story.
  • Refrain from taking yourself too seriously.
  • Allow a bit of daydreaming now and again.
  • Make time to play with a pet, a child, or a friend.
  • Chose to see the funny side of an arduous situation.
  • Maintain a sense of humor with friendly, respectful jokes and pranks.
  • Attend a concert. Sing. Play an instrument even if you don't know how.

If none of the above work for you, pull out that old Abba album (I know you have one) and dance around like no one is watching.

As a professional in the world, one-person business owner or not, balancing a sense of play with a mastery of your chosen industry or field is sometimes challenging, but it's most certainly a challenge worth accepting.

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