As we grow older, we often forget the joy and creativity that
comes with play. As adults, we tend to approach our work with a sense of
seriousness and structure, leaving little room for creativity and innovation.
However, embracing a playful attitude can be a game-changer for unlocking our
full potential.

Children are known for their creativity and ability to think
outside the box. They spend most of their day playing, exploring, and learning
through play. This natural inclination towards play is what makes children so
creative and innovative. They don’t have the same expectations or big agendas
like adults do, which allows them to focus on the process and have fun.

As adults, we can learn from children’s approach to play and
apply it to our work. By embracing a playful attitude, we can:

·       
Take Risks:
Playing with ideas and taking calculated risks can lead to innovative solutions
and new perspectives.

·       
Make
Mistakes: Embracing mistakes as opportunities for growth and learning can help
us develop resilience and creativity.

·       
Learn from
Failures: Failing is an inevitable part of the creative process. By viewing
failures as opportunities for growth, we can learn from our mistakes and
improve our work.

·       
Explore and
Experiment: Playing with different ideas and approaches can lead to new
discoveries and innovative solutions.

·       
Collaborate
and Share: Playing with others can foster collaboration, creativity, and a
sense of community.

Examples of Playful Approaches to Work

·       
Design
Thinking: Design thinking is a human-centered approach to problem-solving that
involves empathy, creativity, and experimentation. By embracing a playful
attitude, designers can create innovative solutions that meet real-world needs.

·       
Brainstorming
Sessions: Hosting brainstorming sessions with a playful twist can lead to
innovative ideas and creative solutions. Try using games, role-playing, or
improv to stimulate creativity.

·       
Prototyping
and Testing: Prototyping and testing can be a fun and iterative process. By
embracing a playful attitude, you can experiment with different approaches and
refine your ideas.

·       
Collaborative
Workspaces: Creating collaborative workspaces that encourage creativity and
playfulness can foster a sense of community and innovation.

Embracing a playful attitude can be a powerful way to unlock
creativity and innovation in our work. By adopting a playful mindset, we can
approach challenges with a sense of curiosity, adventure, and joy. Remember,
play is not just for children – it’s a powerful tool for adults too. So, go
ahead and get playful – your creativity and innovation will thank you!

Originally Published on https://boomersnotsenior.blogspot.com/

Royce Shook Blogger

I served as a teacher, a teacher on Call, a Department Head, a District Curriculum, Specialist, a Program Coordinator, and a Provincial Curriculum Coordinator over a forty year career. In addition, I was the Department Head for Curriculum and Instruction, as well as a professor both online and in person at the University of Phoenix (Canada) from 2000-2010.

I also worked with Special Needs students. I gave workshops on curriculum development and staff training before I fully retired