Week 4: Play is crucial to attaining a work/life balance.

In order to achieve balance at this point, I have a huge amount of play to make up. I can't wait! I've always had fun with my students, but it was always work. I kept that distinction very active in my conscience. After reading The Art of Possibility and contemplating The Secret, I've got a new vision emerging in my teacher-brain - it's OK for me to have fun too.

You need to read The Top Ten Reasons to Play by Linda Naiman. I've included the list here, but she has included some explanations with the list in her article. You can read it on her web page Creativity at Work.

The Top Ten Reasons to Play

1. Play is the path to fun and profit.

2. Fun is the new status symbol.

3. Non-stop work is for losers

4. Even God rested on the 7th day!

5. We need time to be idle.

6. Play helps us find our genius.

7. Play is crucial to attaining a work/life balance.

8. The bow kept forever taut will break.

9. Play is smart corporate strategy for solving problems.

10. Play keeps our passions alive in the workplace.

While the article is addressing the workplace, not a classroom, it still applies. First, it is the workplace for the staff, and second, as teachers we need to do our best to prepare students to be successful after graduation. Have some fun - be successful!

Naiman, L. (1999). Top ten reasons to play. Creativity at Work. Retrieved on February 26, 2009, from http://www.creativityatwork.com/articlesContent/playwork.htm