Work Like A Baby

I think this Friday's Featured Foto is a doozy:

That's my grandson, Ben, who yesterday celebrated his first Thanksgiving.  Cute, huh? 

Now, this blog is supposed to be about important things, like helping companies enhance performance, and design and marketing.  So, why am I posting a photo of my grandson?  No, not just because I'm a pround grandpa (which I am).  But, because of that great look on Ben's face. 

Pure enjoyment. 

It's impossible to be around a seven-month old for very long without both seeing a great smile, and breaking into one.  Over time, we lose that smile, and, what's worse, we lose the expectation that we should live in ways that enable us to have the kind of fun that leads to smiles like that.

Because, fun's trivial.  It's on the nether side of the either/or that separates work and enjoyment.  Fun is for children.  Adults are supposed to be "mature,"  "serious," different from children.

Years ago, I remember learning a distinction that still helps me.  It's the difference between being "childish" and "childlike."  Childish behavior is stubborn, petulant, defiant and self-centered; Childlike: open, explorative, appreciative, creative.  Childlike moments are those in which we allow ourselves to engage in wonder, to appreciate "the little things."  Like Ben eating his carrots yesterday.

We are about to see a phase change in this regard.  (I'm sick of "tipping point" being the only metaphor for re-gestalt.)  Workplaces that can encourage childlike behavior will create enormous advantage as young workers increasingly become disenchanted with the either/or of work/fun, passion/money.  Joy will become the new "six sigma"; imagine, joyful black belts!  Imagine, instead of saying, "I slept like a baby last night," being able to say, "I worked like a baby today."

Doug Rushkoff wrote about this on his blog today, but doesn't allow trackbacks. (And, don't miss my new friend Howard Mann's comment on that post.)

Tags: Fun and Work

Comments

[Connie Sartain]

I'm thinking Ben sure looks like Kristin and Karen this week. I'm also thinking that looks like a cool chair.