How to Fuel Your Work

shake up your routine
do something that brings you joy
before you start work

When I was growing up, homework always came before playtime. I don’t even remember much play time. After a full day of school I had after-school activities, dinner and homework. Weekends were mostly filled with other activities and homework.

That’s the conditioning I brought to college, law school, and my career. Work first, then play.

In moments of free time, assignments hung over me like a shadow. It seemed more prudent to get them done and out of the way so I could enjoy my leisure time.

The problem is that there’s always something on the list of things that need to be done. If you defer play until the work is done, you’ll defer forever.

I’ve found that putting play first makes a big difference in my energy and focus levels.

For example, my Saturdays typically start with trampoline practice. And those days I wake up with more energy and a more buoyant spring in my step.

Putting play first fuels my work. It gets me in a better energetic state, helps me see new perspectives, and sparks ideas. When I sit down to work, I remember to infuse my work with a sense of play.

I show up in a better mood, with greater creativity and more patience when things don’t go as planned.

Instead of using play as a reward for completing your work, try putting it first and using it as fuel for your work. Notice the difference in how you show up.