Is Work the New Play?

[Dave Baldwin]

Has anyone else noticed that in the world of entrepreneurship, it's all about working with the people you want to work with, and making your friendships profitable?

I almost hesitated to put this blog post up, for fear that I would come across as a Scrooge. That's not where I'm going. Life isn't about making money. But I've noticed, on several occasions now, that it becomes frustrating when I can only spend a limited amount of time with somebody before it's "time to get back to work."

I think it's high time that playtime became profitable for all parties involved.

I would be interested to hear other insights on this.

[Leslie Flowers, Change Agent]

I remember in a Landmark seminar something that goes like this: The master sees no distinction between work and play. When I am presenting material that I know can improve ever human being's life on the planet (when they are ready :) -- it is pure JOY!! I am a product of the product so I am able to 'generate' content (yes there is a basic practiced outline) in the moment. When we pinpoint what it is we Love, life becomes a float down a gentle river. Obstacles, of course -- we float around or over them with ease. As opposed to the stick. The stick fights and resists the flow of the river. Both the stick and leaf arrive. We get to choose which we will be : )

[Michelle Courtney Gower]

I agree with you, Dave. I get more done on certain levels when I'm with peeps like you or Heather O--we have that kind of synergy that simply creates, and pushes each other, and we are all always thinking of ways to truly help the other make money and continue to enjoy what they do. So, it never feels like 'work' when we are around each other because of that synergy.

[Suzanne Ballantyne]

Dave - I promise I'll get to the play part ;o)...
More recently I have come to understand the second half of "Do what you love, and love what you do" in a more profound way. I understood 'love' in other areas of my life as a parent and a partner and lately I've grown to understand that 'loving' what you do is not necessarily liking it all the time and yet 'loving' it anyway - really giving it your best energy (playful?) whenever possible. And in many ways, this is like parenting or being part of a community or partnership; we don't always 'like' everything about others and yet we have a common interest in 'loving' each other and the things that we do for the beauty, creativity, abundance and expansion... of our communities, our relationships and our businesses. I think learning to love what you do in this way brings play - among other good things - into the picture. And we model 'play' at work for others when we can be positive, professional and playful in our interactions. Play and humor are fundamental to peace and joy and creativity in all of our endeavors. When we emit this energy, we will attract it to our selves. And I am looking forward to meeting you somewhere on the path! Suzanne