Serious Play: Why Being a Little Ridiculous Can Make You More Productive
Picture this: You’re staring at your screen, willing your brain to function. Your to-do list is giving you side-eye. Your coffee has betrayed you by wearing off too soon. You’re stuck.
What do you do?
a) Stare harder at the screen and hope for divine inspiration.
b) Open another tab and fall into the internet void.
c) Stand up, shake your limbs like an inflatable tube man, and reset your brain.
If you picked C, congratulations! You’ve just harnessed the power of play.
Turns out, play isn’t just for kids or people who own bouncy castles. It’s one of the most underrated productivity hacks. When we let ourselves have fun, our brains reward us with focus, motivation, and problem-solving superpowers. So let’s talk about why a little goofiness might just be the secret to getting stuff done.
Why Play Makes Your Brain Go "Oooo, I Like This"
When you’re having fun, your brain releases dopamine, which is basically nature’s way of saying, “Hey, this is great! Let’s keep going!” Dopamine makes tasks feel less like soul-sucking chores and more like something we actually want to do.
Play also helps your brain think outside the box. Ever notice how your best ideas pop up when you’re not actively trying? Like in the shower, on a walk, or while doing an elaborate victory dance after finding your missing sock? That’s because play puts your brain in a relaxed, flexible state—perfect for solving problems and coming up with fresh ideas.
Burnout Prevention 101: Movement, Humor, and Curiosity
Burnout is what happens when your brain and body stage a protest and refuse to participate in life. The antidote? A little mischief.
- Movement = Brain Refresh – Sitting like a sad potato all day? Your brain’s like, “Nope.” Moving—even just a ridiculous dance, a stretch, or a wiggle—gets your nervous system back in the game.
- Humor = Instant Mood Boost – Stress shrinks our problem-solving abilities. Laughter is like hitting the reset button on your brain. (Bonus: laughing at your own ridiculousness makes life way more fun.)
- Curiosity = Work That Feels Like Play – Ever tricked yourself into being productive just by making a game out of it? Timers, rewards, challenges—suddenly, you’re winning at work instead of dragging yourself through it.
How I Sneak Play Into My Workday (And You Can Too!)
I don’t just talk about play—I use it to keep myself from turning into a stressed-out gremlin. Here’s how:
- I Work Outside Whenever Possible – Sunshine? Fresh air? Random dogs walking by? Instant mood booster. Plus, changing scenery tricks my brain into staying engaged.
- I Treat ChatGPT Like a Brainstorming Buddy – Bouncing ideas off AI keeps things fresh and fun. Who else is going to hype you up AND throw out wild ideas without judgment?
- I Take Silly Dance Breaks – When my brain stops cooperating, I get up and move. Sometimes it’s a stretch. Sometimes it’s a full-on interpretive dance about my frustration. Either way, it works.
- I Gamify the Boring Stuff – Setting timers, racing against myself, or rewarding progress makes even the dullest tasks feel slightly more exciting. (Highly recommend narrating your work in a dramatic announcer voice.)
- I Switch Creative Modes When Stuck – Writing feels impossible? I doodle. Thinking too hard? I talk to myself in a weird accent. Engaging different parts of my brain shakes things loose.
People Who Played Their Way to Genius
If you think play is just for procrastinators, think again. Some of the world’s most brilliant minds used play to fuel their success:
- Albert Einstein played the violin when he was stuck on a problem. Science + music = brain magic.
- Richard Branson injects fun into work, treating business like an adventure.
- Shigeru Miyamoto (the guy behind Super Mario Bros.) came up with his best ideas by wandering around and imagining new worlds.
If they can play their way to brilliance, so can we.
The Takeaway: Work Smarter, Not Stiffer
If work feels like a grind, maybe it’s not you—maybe it’s how you’re working. The next time you feel stuck, instead of forcing focus, try playing your way back into it. Move. Laugh. Gamify. Get curious. Give your brain something to enjoy, and it’ll reward you with motivation, creativity, and—dare I say—actual fun.
Because let’s be real: If we have to be productive, we might as well have a good time doing it.
Are You Ready to Step Into the Life You Desire?
If this resonates with you, let’s connect. You don’t have to navigate this alone. Your healing, success, and well-being matter as much as the clients you serve.
Ready to reclaim your purpose and feel excited about your work again? Download your free guide to managing burnout and take the first step toward burnout-proofing your career.
The first step is always the hardest but also the most powerful. Are you ready to take it?