Book Review | Hop, Skip, Jump by Marney Makridakis
If the Google or Lego workplaces are any indication, it's clear that play and productivity go hand in hand. Why is it then that we shy away from playful, goofy, fun when trying to get something done? Best selling author and creator of Artella Land, Marney Makridakis' new book, Hop, Skip, Jump: 75 Ways to Playfully Manifest a Meaningful Life is the perfect antidote for our over-busy, harried and serious work routines. Makridakis' book is filled with wonderful tools to help us manifest whatever our hearts desire from a place of fun, joy and ease.
Having more fun, means getting more done. Just ask any child who has read The King's Stilts by Dr. Suess and they'll tell you that a playful outlet or attitude can keep an entire society in balance. Makridakis uses Hop, Skip, Jump as a blueprint for melding work and play into your everyday life.
Hop - focuses on exploring new beliefs
Skip - helps us harness spontaneity, wonder and love
Jump - spurs us into inspired action
From Marney:
Studies show that kids play less today than they ever have, and its detrimental to their health and development. As the demands of our achievement-oriented society are weighing on our kids, the pressure seems to be hitting adults even harder. Even family vacations, one of our most special times of play, are at an all-time low. In our fast-paced, results-driven society, when we do in fact have the rare opportunity to step away from the oppressive pressure, we are so exhausted that we tune out or turn to numbing activities on electronic gadgets, rather than meaningful experiences of play that truly bring us joy. Our adrenaline is either charged up or checked out. And play - which exists in the sweet spot in between - is completely overlooked and undervalued.
Play can be much more than filling the open spaces between work and daily responsibilities. Animals and children have a deep instinct to play; nobody needs to show them how to do it! But most adults could use a bit of training to connect to playful activities that intensify joy and reduce stress.
When it comes to the intersection of play and productivity, the secret is quite simple: what moves us is what moves us, which means that what moves us emotionally is what moves us to action. This is why play helps us be productive. Play is many things, but it is never still, stuck or stagnant; it somehow always moves. So when it comes to manifesting a meaningful life, play works.
Having more fun, means getting more done. Just ask any child who has read The King's Stilts by Dr. Suess and they'll tell you that a playful outlet or attitude can keep an entire society in balance. Makridakis uses Hop, Skip, Jump as a blueprint for melding work and play into your everyday life.
Hop - focuses on exploring new beliefs
Skip - helps us harness spontaneity, wonder and love
Jump - spurs us into inspired action
From Marney:
Studies show that kids play less today than they ever have, and its detrimental to their health and development. As the demands of our achievement-oriented society are weighing on our kids, the pressure seems to be hitting adults even harder. Even family vacations, one of our most special times of play, are at an all-time low. In our fast-paced, results-driven society, when we do in fact have the rare opportunity to step away from the oppressive pressure, we are so exhausted that we tune out or turn to numbing activities on electronic gadgets, rather than meaningful experiences of play that truly bring us joy. Our adrenaline is either charged up or checked out. And play - which exists in the sweet spot in between - is completely overlooked and undervalued.
Play can be much more than filling the open spaces between work and daily responsibilities. Animals and children have a deep instinct to play; nobody needs to show them how to do it! But most adults could use a bit of training to connect to playful activities that intensify joy and reduce stress.
When it comes to the intersection of play and productivity, the secret is quite simple: what moves us is what moves us, which means that what moves us emotionally is what moves us to action. This is why play helps us be productive. Play is many things, but it is never still, stuck or stagnant; it somehow always moves. So when it comes to manifesting a meaningful life, play works.
Get Marney's book Hop, Skip, Jump
and start playing!