Something I’m trying to do this year is get better at writing to people like you. I just find it to be a really nice way to communicate directly with the people I want to serve the most.
That’s why I block off time in my schedule every Monday from 1-2pm to write to you and share something with you. It’s a habit I’m really trying to build as I work hard to bring you the latest + greatest tips for play at work.
Speaking of habits + play at work…a habit I’ve built in that part of my life is to carve out time each month to read a book in this field. One such book that I love and find myself referring to frequently is Ensemble! Using the Power of Improv & Play to Forge Connections in a Lonely World.
It's written by two theater people and largely talks about their experiences in improv, but you'll be surprised by just how applicable the things in this book are to just about anything. The authors talk about loneliness, connection, and community and how psychology, play, and improv fit in. It was published near the start of the Covid pandemic, when remote work became more accessible and common, and it touches on some of the effects that had on connection and community.
I’ve gotten some of my best ideas from this book -- from reconnecting with friends to workshops -- and if it piques your interest, I highly recommend popping in to your local library or bookstore.
Not only does it give me great ideas, but there are lots of techniques and exercises (like the counting to 20 together improv exercise), and the stories and perspectives shared are gonna have you nodding along. I think about this book a few times a month. Much of it really speaks to me and what I want to do with play:
"...to dare to wonder about the unusual, say the unexpected,
collaborate with one another with a spirit of joy and humor."
If I could sum up this book by highlighting just one sentence in it:
"On some level, we all want to be connected to others, but stuff gets in the way."
If you want to reflect on what that "stuff" is and find ways to connect, this is a book for you.
Good luck; have fun,
Lissy
P.S. Special thanks to Shandell Sosna for the book rec!
