Work vs Play

How many of us are in school yet not into school? How many of us are in a relationship yet not into the relationship? How many of us are in a place where we work yet not into the place where we work?

A massive difference in results derives from a small shift in perspective.

When we change the way we look at things, the things we look at change.

– Wayne Dyer, world-renowned speaker and author on motivation

One of the best letters of recommendation I ever received came from my high school AP Psychology teacher. I used it for both my application to Deerfield Academy and Yale University. He described my presence as “actively engaged,” my leadership style as “eager to help others,” and my attention in class as “second to none.” I was tear-jerked when I originally read the letter. Moreover, I nodded in agreement with how he described my energy, focus, and concentration on the subject matter, psychology. I wasn’t just attending class; I was actively paying attention.

Why? Because it never felt like work.

A contentious argument in the field of psychology exists around the following idea: we cannot choose what we are interested in. Research papers point to the notion we are either gripped by a person, place, and topic… or we do not care. Is that true for you — do you find yourself enamored by some things and indifferent about others? It is for me.

Despite my grand experience in AP Psychology during my senior year of high school, I majored in Economics at Yale. From there, I went to Wall Street for two years. What I remember most vividly, during my time in Manhattan, was not a specific trade during market hours nor an exact event when millions of dollars were being brokered between buyer and seller. I remember those 22-minute subway rides on the 2-train, when and where I would listen or read all about Performance Psychology.

Activity to consider: Carve out an hour with a cup of coffee or tea. With a pen in hand, write down a list of people, places, communities, and activities you’re passionate about. Who inspires you? Where do you love to go? Which groups are filled with like-minded individuals you align with? If you had a window of free time, how would you love to invest or spend it? Why? All of these ignite you. To complete this thought-provoking brainstorming session, circle the words and phrases that grip you most, upon review. Through hell or high water, add those to your weekly routine (and watch how much energy, focus, and intention you will create)!

I turned down a second two-year contract. I moved out of Manhattan. I walked away from certainty and structure.

Why? Because I felt called.

I knew what gripped me.

And I was tired of suppressing my inner signal.

See, there’s a difference between noise and signal. Noise comes from the outside, full of other people’s opinions. Signal is that small still voice deep within, full of possibility.

When adoption of responsibility meets that possibility, great things happen.

“The price is easy when the promise is clear.”

One of the oldest parts of the brain is called the Reticular Activation System (RAS). In short, it acts as a filter and gatekeeper of our attention. What’s important and what’s not? What should be noticed versus ignored? What’s our main aim?

When I left brokering at BGC Partners, I aimed right at Performance Psychology. I studied it. I found mentors. I poured my body, mind, and spirit into understanding, learning, and coaching it. I did this because I had a chief definite aim → to teach and talk about the topic with the best in the world.

We are always priming our RAS, whether we know it or not.

The greater our future goal, the greater our current enthusiasm becomes to achieve it.

When we find ourselves drifting instead of dedicating… becoming distracted instead of becoming engaged… becoming frustrated instead of fascinated, we must ask ourselves: what do I really want? What do I really really want?

Let’s find what we are into, and work wholeheartedly at that, until it feels like play.

Perhaps that’s at the heart of our purpose: find what others view as work and you view as play… and go play.

That’s the best day, they say, when our work becomes play!

— MG