Playtime At The Office is Big Business

When was the last time you played? Maybe if you have kids, it’s an easier question to answer. For most adults, ‘having fun’ is not on our to-do list. While we might find time to unwind on the weekend, we don’t directly equate ‘fun’ with ‘play’ and it can seem downright impossible to imagine acting playful at work. But that mindset is changing as the workforce becomes more Gen Z and Millennial than Boomer.

A slew of new research and a number of up-and-coming startups think we should play a whole lot more. Research shows we learn better when a task is fun, and approaching even the most mundane task with a playful mindset can profoundly improve our productivity. Experts suggest that a 'playtime' approach to problem solving stimulates our imagination, helping us find solutions better and quicker.

For many of us over 30, the idea of being playful at work conjures images of uncomfortable team-building games or banal holiday parties dominated by awkward banter. While many offices installed ping-pong tables and cool snacks to improve company culture pre-pandemic, startups like Marco, Confetti, and Thriver took advantage of the sudden need for virtual team-building in 2020 to curate diverse rosters of events, classes, and experiences that are anything but banal.

Marco bills itself as a cool tech savvy startup serving its own kind, from mid-week workplace going away parties, to team celebrations and company retreats, they aim to speak directly to companies that want to improve their culture-building through trendy events and in-the-moment themed play. 

Jenn Cornelius, CPO at Ritual, shares on their website that, “Marco has become my go-to partner for curated, thoughtful, and fun team experiences that keep our distributed organization connected and inspired.” 

Confetti and Thriver have cornered the remote team market with classes and shippable kits delivered directly to dispersed team members. As they confront an evolving hybrid economy, team-building companies like these are diversifying their offerings, with a roster of virtual and in-person offerings to suit the needs of their customers. As Joe, a remote worker from Minneapolis shared, “who knew I loved doing paint-by-numbers? But honestly, it felt way less awkward painting with my colleagues from the comfort of my own home.” 

Playful employees are expensive. According to preliminary findings of the Incentive Federation's Incentive Marketplace Estimate Research Study, U.S. businesses spend $176 billion per year to motivate and recognize their employees, with small to midsize companies spending an average of $14,813 per month on office snacks and beverages alone. And a typical budget for a 200-person retreat? The average is $600,000 to $700,000, or $3,000 to $3,500 a head. Some companies spend much more.

As the economy fluctuates in the coming years, it remains to be seen whether companies will continue to invest as readily in team-building. Will these startups pivot to the market and diversify their offerings as hybrid work evolves, or have they found a niche that continues to offer growth opportunities? Either way, as play becomes a ubiquitous incentive, it will be hard to remove entirely. 

New October "How to Meditate: An Introduction to Mindfulness" Class!

One of the best things I've ever done for myself was learning to meditate and create a daily mindfulness practice. Mindfulness Meditation helps me rebuff the jerk in my head who encourages me to make bad decisions; with a daily practice, I'm now able to sift through my thoughts so I'm (mostly) acting on the good ones, not the bad ones. 

In this class, you'll learn the basics of starting a personal meditation practice. I'll teach you how to relax your mind, sharpen your concentration, increase calmness and clarity, and induce sustainable, conscious happiness. Most importantly, I'll provide you with tools to reduce stress and anxiety, and become more resilient. 

This class is open to anyone who wants to learn more about mindfulness, whether you've meditated 100 times or 0. I'll address the basic barriers that many beginners face, such as: How long do I meditate? Where should I meditate? What do I focus on? How do I overcome distractions? The workshop will include some guided meditations and provide plenty of time for questions and discussion.

You will walk away with the ability to:

• create a personal mindfulness meditation practice

• reduce stress and increase calmness

• train your mind to make better decisions

• sleep better, and reduce physical pain or depression

New October "Do What You Love: How To Start A Holistic Side Hustle" Class!

Want to make money off that passion project, side hustle, or brilliant idea? This workshop is for people who want to learn how to effectively monetize a project: craftspeople, designers, tech savvies, food or gadget inventors, health & wellness practitioners, multifaceted go-getters with a brilliant idea who don’t quite know where to start. You absolutely can earn money while doing what you love, but it takes some groundwork and planning to bring in revenue.

In this workshop you will meet new colleagues, build a support network, and walk away with the fundamentals for monetizing your idea. The workshop is led by hustle entrepreneur Laena, whose mission is to help people follow their passion while pursuing financial freedom.

You want financial freedom to live your best life. You want to start that dream side hustle, but you need help. I'll give you the practical tools and know-how to get you started.

Come join my tribe of budding entrepreneurs in a safe space where you can leave your trepidation at the door. 

What you'll get:

• Inspiration and real-world knowledge

• Practical nuts & legal bolts for a lean startup

• Plumbing the question, 'can I really do this?’

• Marketing and personal branding tips

• Vital connections

New Mindfulness Meditation Class Just Listed :: How to Meditate II: A Deeper Foray into Mindfulness

How to Meditate II: A Deeper Foray into Mindfulness

Monday, November 5, 8:30-10:00pm — Only $20!

One of the best things I've ever done for myself was learning to meditate and create a daily mindfulness practice. Mindfulness Meditation helps me rebuff the jerk in my head who encourages me to make bad decisions; with a daily practice, I'm now able to sift through my thoughts so I'm (mostly) acting on the good ones, not the bad ones. 

In this followup to my intro class, we'll take a deeper journey into mindfulness meditation. I'll teach you how to relax your mind, sharpen your concentration, increase calmness and clarity, and induce sustainable, conscious happiness. Most importantly, I'll provide you with tools to reduce stress and anxiety, and become more resilient. 

This class is open to anyone who wants to learn more about mindfulness, whether you've meditated 100 times or 0. You do not need to take my intro class to attend. The workshop will include breathing exercises and guided meditations, and provide plenty of time for questions and discussion.

You will walk away with the ability to:

• deepen your personal mindfulness meditation practice

• reduce stress and increase calmness

• train your mind to make better decisions

• sleep better, and reduce physical pain or depression