Deception # 18: Distinguish Work/Play (That’s Why They Call It Work)

Business Week writer Liz Ryan accurately suggests the problem with the no fun all work mentality when she writes this tongue in cheek thought: “Here at Acme Explosives, our motto is, ‘Work’s not supposed to be fun.’ Our employees are highly qualified individuals who don’t choose to be here but come for the money. That level of commitment helps us ensure a moderate level of customer service at all times.”

Most of us tend to separate our lives into life stages of playing, learning, earning, and playing again as we move into retirement. The most successful people I know collapse it all together and never stop. The Pikes Place Fish Market in Seattle has built a whole workplace culture that turns a very tough job into play. In the last few years they have taken that philosophy and exported into hospitals, classrooms, and nearly every type of work environment you can imagine. I've personally visited Pikes Place Fish Market several times and then had the opportunity to watch people's eyes light up as they see the possibilities for their own work place. I’ve led workshops based on the “Fish Philosophy” and watched huge shifts in perspective and behavior. For an introduction, check out the book "FISH"!

Nicholas Lore is the creator of The Rockport Institute Career Choice Program in Rockville, Maryland. In his book The Pathfinder - How to Choose or Change Your Career for a Lifetime of Satisfaction and Success he shares a very useful Career Satisfaction Scale. Lore suggests there are generally 5 categories of career satisfaction, which he loosely places on a 0-10 Scale. What you see here is a description of the work as play people:

Level 10: Work Occurs As Passionate Play. His experience is that only about 10% of the U.S. Population fall into this category, not much different from the Gallop findings presented by Marcus Buckingham.

General Description: Looks forward to going to work. Work is seen as a vehicle for full self-expression, fun, and pleasurable. Difficulties are interpreted as positive challenges. Considerable personal growth and contribution to self-esteem is linked to work. There is very little distinction between work and the rest of life. Sense of purpose and making a difference. Uses talents fully. Work fits personality. Usually exhibits eagerness and alacrity.

Effect on Personal Life: Self-Actualized lifestyle. Generous with self, often participates in “service” to others. Loves life. Active participant in all aspects of life. Goes for the gusto, playful, high level of personal integrity. Self-esteem is very rarely an issue. Very significant increase in longevity and disease resistance.

Contribution to Workplace: Work is an expression of a clear personal purpose. Self generating. Does not need supervision. Very trustworthy. Will persist until objective is reached. Almost always contributes and is appropriate. Takes correction as an opportunity. The presence of a person living at this level raises others with whom he or she works.

Author and business owner Harvey Mackay understands the importance of collapsing work together with play very well. In his weekly column he writes:

"CEOs should appreciate the value of fun at work -- and they shouldn't reserve it just for themselves. The smart ones recognize the importance of a positive work environment which encourages fun.

For example, Microsoft founder Bill Gates was asked if he were graduating from college at that point, would he go to work for Microsoft or start his own company. After reminding the audience that he never graduated from college, Harvard's most famous dropout pointed out how incredibly important it is for companies to make work "as fun and interesting" as possible for employees.

When a management research company asked the employees at Southwest Airlines what mattered most about their jobs, they discovered that "having fun at work" was at the top of the list. More predictable items followed: "manage in the good times for the bad times, keep a warrior spirit, informal is comfortable, minimize paperwork, dare to be different and do whatever it takes."

I love this quote from motivational speaker Jody Urquhart. She says there are three ways to motivate people to work harder, faster and smarter: threaten them, pay them lots of money or make their work fun. She quickly eliminates the first two options as ineffective. But making their work fun, she says, "has a track record of effecting real change." Why? "Creativity, intuition and flexibility are key to successful operation of organizations today. In stimulating environments, employees enjoy their time at work and they will also excel at work. Attracting customers is easier in an environment of hospitality. A fun workplace is not only more productive, but it attracts people and profits."

“You have to pay the price for success” is still the mantra heard across America. But author/speaker Zig Ziglar wisely points out that “you actually pay the price for failure”. I think one of the biggest deceptions adults in particular labor under is that:

Play = Energizing
Work = Depleting

This is probably what most people experience at work. Some of us with church backgrounds actually justify this Biblically. We believe that work was introduced after the fall of Adam and Eve. But if you read the Biblical account closely we see that Adam was working quite happily before the fall. And if you believe that Jesus came to reverse what happened at the fall, then it must follow that we have a good shot at turning work into something that is energizing and fulfilling. That’s what this writing is about… How we can extend much of the mission of Jesus and make work the joy that God intended.

Your Moment of Truth: When operating in your strengths, work becomes play that energizes you.