Recently I made a small change in my work that has resulted in an unexpected giant step in everyday enjoyment: I began to listen to music for a good chunk of the day, most of the time through headphones attached to my phone that also allow me to take hands-free calls.
I’m not sure when or why music had become an occasional treat, saved for the car or when I had nothing else to do, rather than an integral part of my life, but it had. Not until I was watching our betta fish this morning did I realize why music makes such a big difference. Music is a form of play.
Why Play Matters for Creativity
Consider what these creativity experts have to say about the importance of play:
Dan Pink, bestselling author: “The best way to get in touch with your inner child is to take it outside for some play. So go back to school… or at least, back to the playground. Visit a schoolyard, take a seat on a bench, and watch how the real kids play. See if some of their sense of wonder and curiosity penetrates your adult immune system.” (from A Whole New Mind: Why Right-Brainers Will Rule the World)
Tina Seelig, Stanford professor: “Simply put, when you play, you are having fun. When you have fun, you feel better about yourself and your work. And when you feel better, you are much more creative and deliver more.” (from InGenius: A Crash Course in Creativity)
Tim Brown, IDEO CEO and president: “Kids are more engaged with open possibilities…. when they come across something new, they’ll certainly ask, ‘What is it?’ Of course they will. But they’ll also ask, ‘What can I do with it?’ And you know, the more creative of them might get to a really interesting example. And this openness is the beginning of exploratory play.” (from his TED Talk “Tales of Creativity and Play“)
Lessons on Play from a Betta Fish
Fun doesn’t have to be complicated, and it can occur wherever we are. Here is a photo of our new betta fish’s heater. Notice the narrow space between the heater and the tank (and how Mr. Darcy, never missing a beat, is keen on figuring out what I am doing):
Now watch how he uses that space to create his own playground. Round and round he goes, for several minutes at a time. I was lucky to be able to film a few seconds before he noticed my presence, which would have immediately broken the spell. (In case anyone is wondering, the Renoir card both gives him something to look at and hides his food jar so that he’s not constantly begging to be fed—bettas are smart fish!)
Music transforms my usual workspace into a similar playground, making everything else more fun and opening me to possibilities I wouldn’t normally notice.
You got me thinking on this one. I don’t “play” much anymore…that is on a playground or with a ball. But suddenly about 2 years ago, I started to like football of all things. I do look at watching others play which is a sort of play for me, I guess – a fun time that only I enjoy in our household. I also think that play can just be time away. My partner and I just spent about 6 hours driving around Milwaukee looking at various parks for a wedding venue. It was fun! She drove and I navigated with addresses and a map…yup, an old fashioned map – love ’em. We had such a good day. I also think that some work can be play. If one is totally enjoying what one is doing, being creative, solving problems, achieving goals, getting kudos, I bet the same endorphins are released that make one feel great! So I agree completely. Maybe I’ll turn on music while I’m working today instead of NPR.
Your day scouting wedding venues sounds wonderful! Whatever can put us in a light, open, playful mood counts as “play” as I used it in this post. I think it’s interesting that what works is highly individualistic. Thanks for sharing such good ideas.