Is summer a playful, fun, adventurous time for you and your family? Fun might not seem all that important, but playing and joy and experimenting is great for well-being– at any age. As renowned expert, Dr. George Vaillant, says, “Real sophistication…is epitomized by knowing how to play.”
Wouldn’t it be great if you could use the mindset from your summer play to be happier the rest of the year? It all comes down to where you put your attention. When you ask questions like, “Where will this lead?” or “”How will this improve your resume..test scores…rank…grades?”, you focus attention on external goals, which often increase stress and anxiety. Instead of asking questions that focus you on where you stand– or social comparisons– use the playful approach and look for the inherent joy in an activity.
What Could Go Wrong?
As someone who tried to meet expectations in school, my focus was usually on how to get it right. Yet, sometimes it’s way more fun — and we learn even more– from what goes wrong. Watch as I talk with Paco about his gifts that aren’t easily captured in grades… and how he finds the inherent fun in his school experience:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pzxZn85Mzag