Transforming Work Into Wonder: How to Tap into Exceptional Creativity
What if the key to unlocking your deepest creativity is not hidden away in some productivity hack but lies in a childhood practice we often dismiss as adults? Play. Specifically, the ecstatic, transcendent play that Diane Ackerman describes as 'deep play,' where play elements like curiosity, challenge, and imagination are taken to intense and transcendent heights.
Imagine a life where work and play are not compartmentalized activities but two sides of the same coin, both driven by joy and passion. This is not some lofty ideal reserved for the gifted; it is a practical, attainable reality backed by science. Neuroscience reveals that we can enter a cognitively unique state of play while engaged in work-related tasks. Deep play is more than just joyful engagement in an activity. Deep play allows your brain to enter a state where imagination, awe, and wonder thrive. The neurochemistry of the brain paints a clear picture: when you immerse yourself in deep play, dopamine and endorphins, the neurotransmitters associated with pleasure and reward, start streaming. It is a heady brew that elevates your mood and primes your neurons for learning. This neural synchrony does more than make you feel good; it boosts focus, heightens memory, and enhances neural plasticity.
The Science of Deep Play
Neuroscience and psychology have begun to provide compelling evidence to support the notion that play is an integral part of our cognitive processing. Dr. Jaak Panksepp, a neuroscientist and psychologist, identified play circuits in the brain that when activated facilitate learning and focus, enhancing our cognitive faculties and adaptability.
The state your brain enters during deep play is remarkably unique. Deep play not only elevates levels of neurochemicals improving your mood but it also stimulates new neural pathways and contributes to neural plasticity—the brain's remarkable ability to change and adapt. This concept of neuroplasticity, championed by researchers like Dr. Norman Doidge, underpins the transformative power of deep play and its positive impact on brain function.
To understand the transformative effect of deep play, it's crucial to examine its core elements, which synergistically interact to promote optimal brain function and emotional well-being. The first is curiosity, primarily regulated by the brain's dopamine system. When curiosity is piqued, the brain's reward circuits are activated, motivating us to explore and understand. Neurologically, the hippocampus, a brain region critical for learning and memory, becomes more active during explorative tasks. The second element is challenge, which, when optimally set, produces enough stress to release norepinephrine, enhancing attention and cognitive performance. Finally, imagination comes into play, engaging the brain's 'default mode network'—an area activated during self-referential thoughts and daydreaming, allowing us to visualize various scenarios and outcomes.
Deep Play in Professional and Personal Life
How can we apply deep play to a professional context? If you are a software developer, you could set up mini-challenges that mirror the type of problem-solving engaged in deep play, thus optimizing your coding skills. Writers might indulge in free-writing exercises that allow their minds to wander creatively before settling down to more structured tasks. Gamifying mundane activities or approaching them with an 'explorer's mindset' can transform even the most tedious jobs into opportunities for deep play.
The long-term implications of engaging in Deep Play are profound. Studies have shown that such activities lead to increased levels of resilience and emotional balance. This is because deep play can stimulate the release of oxytocin, commonly known as the 'love hormone,' which plays a significant role in social bonding and general well-being. Deep Play can even reduce levels of cortisol, the stress hormone, thereby enhancing your mental health.
Integrating Deep Play into your Day
The science behind deep play is compelling, but the question remains: how can you practically integrate this into your daily routine? Here are some actionable ideas to help you begin your journey into the transformative power of Deep Play.
Set Mini-Challenges: No matter your profession, setting small challenges can make even the most mundane tasks engaging. These mini-challenges can serve as quick bursts of deep play, encouraging problem-solving and innovation. For instance, if you are in data analysis, challenge yourself to complete a task 10% faster or with greater accuracy.
Gamify Your Tasks: Apply game-like elements to your work activities. This could mean setting up a point system for completing tasks or 'leveling up' after reaching certain milestones. This approach taps into the same neurological pathways activated during deep play.
The Explorer's Mindset: Approach every task as if you see it for the first time. This mindset encourages curiosity and activates the hippocampus. Ask questions like, "How can this be improved?" or "What can I learn from this?"
Time-Block for Creativity: Allocate specific times in your day for uninhibited creative thinking. During this time, allow your imagination to run wild. Whether sketching, writing, or brainstorming, this dedicated time can be a fertile ground for deep play.
Mindful Engagement: Deep play requires full engagement. Practice mindfulness to cultivate an intense focus. Before starting a task, take a few deep breaths and center yourself, then dive in.
Collaborative Play: Engage with colleagues in a playful, collaborative manner. Whether it is brainstorming sessions that are set up more like improvisational games or a friendly work-related competition, social activities can amplify the benefits of deep play.
Free-Writing or Journaling: Spend five to ten minutes jotting down whatever comes to mind. Refrain from worrying about grammar, structure, or making sense. This practice can stimulate the default mode network, opening the doors to creativity.
'What If' Exercises: Pick a random 'What If' question related to your work each day and spend 10 minutes brainstorming the possibilities. For example, 'What if this project had an unlimited budget?' or 'What if we could implement any feature without constraints?', how would it change your approach or perspective?
Mix Work and Play: Whenever possible, blur the lines between work and play. Finding ways to make aspects of your work more playful, open-ended or experimental. Even if your job differs from your passion, challenge yourself to make facets of it more playful and engaging.
Commit to the Process: Deep play should not be a one-off event but a regular practice. Consistency is key to reaping its long-term benefits–helping you to access your creativity readily. Start small, make it a habit, and gradually increase the depth and time you dedicate to play.
By incorporating these strategies into your work, you are not just making your days more enjoyable; you are capitalizing on methods that improve cognitive function, creativity, and well-being. Deep play is an investment in a happier, more effective you, and the immediate and long-term benefits are waiting for you to discover them.
Want to learn more? Sign up for the Creative Flow Course and unleash your creative potential through science-backed creativity and flow state training in a supportive community of mission-driven peers.
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Panksepp, J. (1998). Affective neuroscience: The foundations of human and animal emotions. Oxford University Press.
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