SERIOUS ALL THE TIME.
Serious all the time.
That's how winners win. That's how business gets done. That's what adults are told they supposed to do ALL THE TIME by toxic productivity culture.
If you google "how play effects the brain," the top hits are:
• "Five Ways Play Changes Your Child's Brain,"
• "The Importance of Play in Baby's Brain Development," and
• "How Play Help's a Kid's Brain Grow."
So what about us Big Kids? I guess for us it's just Game Over.
Right now, the beverage industry is going through a massive shift, a painful contraction, and very disappointing start to the year.
Don't believe me? Here's a cheerful quote from The Spirits Business from May, "The latest quarterly report noted the spirits sales fell by 5.2% from January to March 2024, while wine slipped further by 10.9%. For the year to March 2024, wine suffered more than spirits with a drop of 8.3%.." (If you are built like me, the phrase "quarterly report" makes me want roll over and die.)
And yet, in my professional circles, there are people, brands, and companies I'm watching rise to the top like brightly colored balloons floating above the fray. All the while they are having a really good time and attracting really good talent. And guess what the though-line with each and every one of them is?
You got it...PLAY. When the competitors got even, they got odd (and foolish and fun).
When we have to respond quickly to a changing landscape, solve big problems, support teams, and stay (mostly) sane in a really tough year, it's very easy to drop into hyper-responsive anxiety and fear. Neurologically, this is the amygdala using its motor outputs to force your heart to pound, your sweat to drip and your brain to go "OH NOOOOOO A LION!!!!"
Spoiler alert, you don't make the best decisions this way.
Ever noticed how we call really successful people PLAYERS? Because it's a game.
That's why at The Wren Way, I help clients rediscover how to PLAY. I have seen over and over again that when folks begin to feed the curious child inside of them with walks in nature, silly side quests, and messy art projects IT LITERALLY REWIRES THE BRAIN to begin creatively problem-solving. It also just makes the day better. (And who couldn't use a little levity these days?)
I get it, the industry feels like the jungle right now, but I promise you that staying serious is not helping achieve your goals. And if you are a leader walking into a meeting with an attitude of "let's play," you can fundamentally shift your team's mindset from focusing on the Lions, to picking up the toys of Innovation and What-if.
And THAT is a lot more fun.
******
Jennifer Wren, founder of The Wren Way, is a Life and Leadership Coach who helps mid-life women stop feeling stuck and start having fun though the intentional practice of compassion, play, curiosity and aligned action.
