I’ve worked hard my whole adult life.
I’ve built careers, raised children, written books, spoken on stages, coached, interviewed hundreds of women, and constantly challenged myself to do more, learn more, accomplish more.
I’m a lifelong high achiever.
Which sounds great until you realize that high achievers aren’t always very good at playing.
We’re good at goals.
Deadlines.
To-do lists.
Getting things done.
We’re not necessarily good at doing something simply because it’s fun.
This summer, I decided to practice.
I took acting lessons. I performed. I traveled. I photographed the places and people around me. I spent time with family and friends.
And I tried to do all of it without asking the question that comes so naturally to me:
What’s the point?
Was I going to become an actress? No.
Was photography going to become my next career? Probably not.
Was every trip going to inspire an article?
Absolutely not.
And that was the point.
For once, I wasn’t trying to turn everything I did into something productive.
I was giving myself permission to play.
And I discovered that “just play” sounds a lot easier than it is!!!
My brain kept trying to make it a project. My natural instincts would fight for control.
Could I get better at this?
Was I doing it right?
Should I be setting goals?
Was I wasting time?
Apparently, even my leisure activities needed a performance review!!
But despite these nagging questions, I was able to immerse myself in the creative process and the experience of learning new things as a beginner.
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