The Weekly Dose - Play
“Play is serious business” Gary Ware
Hello,
It’s hard to find time to play sometimes, or even consider it. It actually feels wrong, not just hard.
And yet - ‘Play’ is the most transformational act, after ‘pausing’ you can do. It’s where we find the right idea, solution, way forward. So the blog today is about exploring play, how we all play, and how we need to paly more.
Play is step 3 in the book (Another Door Opens), and it’s where my clients either get stuck (again) and freeze, or fly - there is really an in-between. That’s how important it is.
The next cohort for the transformational, playful, group programme exploring our Change Mastery, and how we navigate our next moves better, starts end of Feb. Sign up today and we’ll jump on a free 121 call to start your thinking. More info here.
If you are feeling stuck, in the stickiness of change, feeling like there could be something better - then this is for you.
That’s all for this week.
Have a nice weekend.
Blogging
The importance of play in moment of change
Play is step 3 in my book Another Door Opens, It’s where we move into ‘solve’ and create ideas. It’s the most important step to fully embrace.
When change lands, our instinct is to get serious. It feel serious. It is serious. We search for answers, plans, certainty. But change is not solved by tightening our grip. It’s navigated by loosening it, an unruffling as I call it.
Play matters in moments of change because it shifts how we think. It opens us up to curiosity, noticing, and possibility, especially when things feel uncertain or unfinished. Play invites us to explore ideas without committing to them, to experiment without needing perfection, and to stay open long enough for something new to emerge. To look in places we would never consider before.
Research from the Institute of Play shows that play fuels learning and creativity in uncertain environments. Dr Stuart Brown reminds us that play isn’t childish or optional, it’s deeply human. We all play, just in different ways. Some through movement, some through ideas, humour, making, or storytelling. Play helps us reconnect with ourselves when change has knocked us off balance.
Learning about how to bring more play onto our life can be life changing.
Even organisations use play deliberately. Methods like LEGO Serious Play show that building, experimenting, and playing with ideas can unlock deeper insight than thinking alone.
Try asking yourself:
What feels intriguing right now, even if it’s unclear?
How could I explore this without committing to it?
What kind of play is my default, how does it show up for me?
You don’t need all the answers. You just need enough openness for something new to appear. And have a little play with what come sup when you start thinking about.
Listening
Do Radio My Do Radio this week is with Gary Ware - Why we need more play in our life!
Reading
Playful Rebellion: Maximize Workplace Success Through The Power of Play is the book to read if you’re feeling burnt out, boxed in, or quietly wondering when work (and life) stopped being fun.
Blending practical tools, “Rebel Missions,” and plenty of humour, Gary shows how play isn’t a distraction from productivity, it’s a gateway to creativity, connection, and energy. This is a guide to reigniting your playful spirit, even if your inner child feels a little rusty.
Born from Gary’s own burnout climbing the corporate ladder, the book challenges outdated work norms and offers a better way forward, one that helps you stay joyful, curious, and human, even in difficult or boring moments (yes, including Zoom meetings).
Inside, you’ll explore:
Why our work culture is draining us
How stepping away from work can make you more effective
The barriers to play and how to overcome them
A reminder that when we bring play back in, life doesn’t get less serious, it just works better.
Exploring
I’m a big fan of Spoke. I’m listening to music and lyrics before bed, helping me get to sleep quicker. Often waking up with my headphones jammed against my face! It has some brilliant experiences on there and different style to the usual mediation apps.
“SPOKE provides mental healthcare and well-being through the power of music and lyrics. We understand how to deliver mental health and well-being support in ways that are accessible and culturally relevant for those most underrepresented in our healthcare system. Our work is founded on over eight years of research, the expertise of dozens of clinical mental health practitioners, hundreds of partner artists, and five years of operating the UK’s multi-award-winning music-led mental health app - SPOKE.”
Podcasting
If you are in need of a dose of Joy this week, then here we are. Joy Frame decided to ‘follow coincidences’ to bring her more joy after she retired. You’ll hear her story how that lead to her becoming a Battle Rapper!
Listen to Another Door podcast
Think through change and uncertainty to find your edge, make it at opportunity rather than a threat.
The next group programme starts on 27 February. 6 weeks of reflective action taking to help move you through the change you are currently navigating. And learn how to work on your Change Mastery so that change becomes less threat, and more opportunity.
Book a call, let’s talk about working together
