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New catchphrase: "Total Play"
If you haven't heard of "Total Work," @m_ashcroft did a great writeup on what it is, and the beginning of how to stop it.
"The ability to stop trying is a transformative, learnable and highly necessary skill if we are to escape traps like Total Work." https://twitter.com/m_ashcroft/status/1319185247980978176
"The ability to stop trying is a transformative, learnable and highly necessary skill if we are to escape traps like Total Work." https://twitter.com/m_ashcroft/status/1319185247980978176
I want to introduce a counter-meme to Total Work.
Total Work: all things in service of work
Total Play: always with a playful spirit
Total Work: all things in service of work Total Play: always with a playful spirit
Aesthetics of Total Work:
"Doing work is worthy. Not doing work is shameful, unless done in the service of work. Total Work says it's absolutely fine to nap, meditate, exercise, [...] because those things will make you more productive for work." https://thinkingoutloud.substack.com/p/thinking-out-loud-no-24
"Doing work is worthy. Not doing work is shameful, unless done in the service of work. Total Work says it's absolutely fine to nap, meditate, exercise, [...] because those things will make you more productive for work." https://thinkingoutloud.substack.com/p/thinking-out-loud-no-24
Instead of "Total Work," we need "Total PLAY"
Playfulness is worthy. Labor is lamentable, unless done with a motive for merriment. Total Play says it can still be okay to work a dull job, as long as it creates opportunities for future fun.
Playfulness is worthy. Labor is lamentable, unless done with a motive for merriment. Total Play says it can still be okay to work a dull job, as long as it creates opportunities for future fun.
Total Work turns fun into a tool. Dispense spoonful of sugar to continue with chores. Gamification.
Total Play says no! Work is the tool, duh. How could we have forgotten? Fun for the sake of fun! Joy for the sake of joy!
Total Play says no! Work is the tool, duh. How could we have forgotten? Fun for the sake of fun! Joy for the sake of joy!
It's not a new idea, but I like this framing a lot.
Playfulness as a purpose.
NO: Sing while working because studies say it improves productivity
YES: Sing while working *because it's fun*
Playfulness as a purpose.
NO: Sing while working because studies say it improves productivity YES: Sing while working *because it's fun*
A common tactic of Total Work is to pretend to be Total Play, in order to keep you working longer.
"The office is fun! Colorful walls, table tennis, arcade games!"
But if it's not actually fun, no one is fooled for long.
"The office is fun! Colorful walls, table tennis, arcade games!"
But if it's not actually fun, no one is fooled for long.
If you can find a job where you are really truly having fun every day, that's wonderful. Sounds like a good time!
But this is not the point of Total Play.
Remember: work is not life! That's Total Work sneaking up on you again.
But this is not the point of Total Play.
Remember: work is not life! That's Total Work sneaking up on you again.
So how do you know which you're doing?
Lying to yourself can come easily with things like Purpose. "My work is Important" is an easy thing to believe even if it's not true.
But "I'm having fun" is a much harder lie to tell yourself.
Lying to yourself can come easily with things like Purpose. "My work is Important" is an easy thing to believe even if it's not true.
But "I'm having fun" is a much harder lie to tell yourself.
That's why I like the idea of "Total Play" as a counter to "Total Work."
It is very hard to just "not do" something. ("stop doing Total Work")
Having a *positive* alternative might help! ("try Total Play!")
It is very hard to just "not do" something. ("stop doing Total Work")
Having a *positive* alternative might help! ("try Total Play!")
