photo credit: Ken Lund

Or Maybe You’d Like to Play…

PattiAnn reminded us yesterday that alternating work with relaxation can actually make us more productive – and that a little struggle is a good thing. The WhyDoWork.com forum reminds us once again that challenge and persistence play well in both work and play:

New research on the brain… emphasizes the importance of feelings and the necessity of feeling safe and relaxed in order to think clearly and productively. Play teaches us how to manage and transform our “negative” emotions and experiences; it supercharges learning, and is a foundational factor in good mental and physical health. And, it can make work more pleasurable.

How can play trigger the flow state?

Psychiatrist and writer Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi, (pronounced “chicks send me high”) [Ellie says – I always wondered how to say that!] studied play … and described it as a flow state that requires just the right balance of challenge and opportunity. If the game is too hard or too easy, it loses its sense of pleasure and fun. Maintaining a flow state in games with others requires all participants, regardless of age or ability, to feel challenged, but not overwhelmed.

So if you want to get in the flow (at work or at play) it seems you must find a good balance between challenge and overwhelm.  Interesting!

For those of you who work in a formal office environment, (Although nowadays with Skype and all, even work-from-home folks have to pay attention to appearances!) check out Amy Rose’s five interesting “free or low-cost” ideas for reducing your stress at your desk.

Treasure Hunting and Dumping

Now that I’ve lit my writing candle, I’m discovering all sorts of treasures that have gone unused around here.  Some I don’t even know exactly what they are.  But by golly, I’m going to find out so I can put all those gadgets to work – and then, I just may give them away anyway because if I’ve gotten along without them this long, I probably don’t need them.  So in many cases, I’ll use it and lose it on purpose – except for a few keepers that spark my spirit.  Works for me.

And Then There’s Structured Procrastination

Enjoy John Perry’s tongue-in-cheek discourse on what he calls structured procrastination:

I am working on this essay as a way of not doing all of those things [that I should be doing.] This is the essence of what I call structured procrastination, an amazing strategy I have discovered that converts procrastinators into effective human beings, respected and admired for all that they can accomplish and the good use they make of time.

And I thought I was an original…

More on “Deep Practice”

This week PattiAnn pointed out that persistence in the face of obstacles helps us to perfect our performance.  You might want to learn more about these ideas by looking at Stephen Dugner’s Practice Makes Perfect, Revisited, where he tells us:

…“talent” is overrated… practice really does make perfect; and it’s a good idea to do what you truly love in life, because if you don’t, you probably won’t work hard enough at it to get really good.

Steve Arneson in Cracking the Code on Talent, comments on Coyle’s book, The Talent Code:

Coyle’s book includes three main messages:

(1) Deep practice. Coyle explains why so few of us are very good at certain sports (bowling, golf) or playing an instrument (piano, guitar). Our practice is shallow and sporadic, and we’re mostly practicing at the same level of talent for years – we tend to stay in a very narrow range of proficiency because we don’t devote enough time to allow a “break out” to a new level.

(2) The ignition. What motivates us to break out and dive deeper into our functional areas of expertise? Where does this passion come from? What flips the switch? Ignition is a little mysterious, but for some it’s clearly sparked by having a positive role model (think a parent, coach or mentor).

(3) Master coaching. Even the greatest talent of his generation, Tiger Woods, has a coach – in fact he has more than one. …The point is that world class talent requires feedback and teaching from disciplined, committed, coaches. The development of great skill seems to benefit (maybe even require) the help of people who have the ability to develop talent in others.

Or take a look at Coyle’s own blog – Deep Deep Practice. Underwater! Now there’s a fascinating idea! And if I could find a warm pool I’d give it a try.  (That’s as good an excuse as I’ve got for procrastinating…)

I guess it’s a balancing act – use it or lose it, procrastinate or get started, challenge not overwhelm, work & play.  I think I like that.  How about you?