Spring Break
How to put a little play back in your day
Issue date: 5/5/08 Section: FYI
It may be time for Americans to take recess back - dodgeball is optional. Here are some tips for giving yourself the work-day recess you deserve.
The only wasted vacation is the one not taken.
Schedule your vacation time well in advance. If you end up taking a trip, that's great. If not, even better - you get to sleep in and catch up on all those things you've been too busy to tackle.
Propose a new team builder.
Did you know you can learn more about a person from playing a game with them than from 10 interactions? A staff meeting may teach everyone more about the next fiscal year, but a staff game night could teach them more about their teammates working styles.
Plan for play.
Keep some things in your desk that will help you relax during short breaks. Maybe you like to spend a couple of minutes with a crossword or cell phone solitaire. What about a miniature Zen rock garden to take your mind off things?
Forecast a reward.
You probably can't grab a massage every afternoon, but you can plan a reward for yourself every day - lunch with a friend, an afternoon snack, or really leaving by 6:00 p.m.
Shake up the interview.
Trying to find a new team member? Don't just sit there; take applicants for a walk and see how quick they are on their feet. They'll get to impress you with their best qualities, and you'll get some exercise and fresh air.
Test your sense memory.
Tastes and aromas can often be tied to memories, like hotdogs and baseball games, or movie popcorn and a really good date. Test this theory with new Nestle Crunch Crisp and see what fun thoughts pop up with your love of chocolate.
Whatever play means to you, understand that it is a necessary part of a healthy work-life balance. No, you are not being paid to play games, but if taking even ten minutes to surf the Internet helps you come back and focus more on the task at hand, don't you think your boss would give you a permission slip to visit www.PlayInYourDay.com?
Courtesy of ARAcontent
The only wasted vacation is the one not taken.
Schedule your vacation time well in advance. If you end up taking a trip, that's great. If not, even better - you get to sleep in and catch up on all those things you've been too busy to tackle.
Propose a new team builder.
Did you know you can learn more about a person from playing a game with them than from 10 interactions? A staff meeting may teach everyone more about the next fiscal year, but a staff game night could teach them more about their teammates working styles.
Plan for play.
Keep some things in your desk that will help you relax during short breaks. Maybe you like to spend a couple of minutes with a crossword or cell phone solitaire. What about a miniature Zen rock garden to take your mind off things?
Forecast a reward.
You probably can't grab a massage every afternoon, but you can plan a reward for yourself every day - lunch with a friend, an afternoon snack, or really leaving by 6:00 p.m.
Shake up the interview.
Trying to find a new team member? Don't just sit there; take applicants for a walk and see how quick they are on their feet. They'll get to impress you with their best qualities, and you'll get some exercise and fresh air.
Test your sense memory.
Tastes and aromas can often be tied to memories, like hotdogs and baseball games, or movie popcorn and a really good date. Test this theory with new Nestle Crunch Crisp and see what fun thoughts pop up with your love of chocolate.
Whatever play means to you, understand that it is a necessary part of a healthy work-life balance. No, you are not being paid to play games, but if taking even ten minutes to surf the Internet helps you come back and focus more on the task at hand, don't you think your boss would give you a permission slip to visit www.PlayInYourDay.com?
Courtesy of ARAcontent
Be the first to comment on this story