Writing and Essays - Directed Play - How to Play at Work

In the information age the lines between work and play have blurred. Work is no longer necessarily dull, boring and mind-deadening. Often work involves many of the attributes found in play, including creativity.

The question becomes can the attributes of play be applied to work? I believe that the answer is yes. Directed Play takes the principles of play developed by Johan Huizinga in Homo Ludens and applies them to the workplace. The concept is called directed play and it results in increased productivity.

Directed Play is not a finished product so there are some rough spots in the book. Second, not all the chapters have converted seamlessly in pdf files. This may take some additional work in the near future.

Regardless, read it and hopefully it will change your perspective on work, play, motivation, and playgrounds. Remember that the manuscript is copyrighted and is protected under the copyright laws. You will need Adobe Acrobat Reader to download the information.

In addition, if you want to provide me feedback on any of the essays, contact me at rkauffman@frostburg.edu.

Last, many of the sayings are priceless and are worth contemplating in their own right. Click on the sayings below or on the box below it and visit a comprehensive list of the sayings.

The person who dies with the most toys worked the hardest. The person who dies having played the hardest had the most fun

Click here or on the the plaque above to review all of the sayings.

Directed Play: Can you play at work? Why are volunteers often more productive than the paid employees? To determine intrinsic motivation ask the following two questions: Do I enjoy what I am doing and can I walk away from my job? Can I play at work and still have the good life?

Can my workplace be a playground? Can I design my own playgrounds? We all have a strategy on how to win the game when we play checkers or Monopoly. Why not apply the same principles to the workplace? People who play together, stay together. Well, maybe not, but it might foster a common experience and groups.

Chapter 1: The Search (Includes Table of Contents)

Chapter 2: Intrinsic Motivation

Chapter 3: Designer Playgrounds

Chapter 4: Creating a Perfect Order -The Workgame

Chapter 5: Fostering Social Groups - On the Ropes Course

Chapter 6: Toward Direct Play

Step onto the playground and play begins. Step off the playground and play ends. If play doesn't end, you are still on the playground.

Click here or on the the plaque above to review all of the sayings.

Contact Dr. Kauffman

Dr. Robert B. Kauffman

rkauffman@frostburg.edu
Dr. Kauffman is a Professor of Recreation and Parks Management at Frostburg State University, Frostburg, Maryland 20534.

Vita

The content published on this webpage is not sponsored nor endorsed by Frostburg State University and the views expressed are those of the author and not the University.
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Robert B. Kauffman
7 Hill Top Drive, Frostburg, MD 21532
rkauffman@frostburg.edu
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