The Messy Middle by Ellen Jackson
Potential Psychology
Fun & Wellbeing - Time for Work and Time for Play
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Fun & Wellbeing - Time for Work and Time for Play

"If we keep doing what we've always done - we can't expect brilliance to appear."

In the 3rd episode of our brand new mini-series 'Fun and Wellbeing,' My co-host, Dr. Mike Rucker and I geek out about whether work can be fun.

Feeling like you have control of your time and have enough time each day is a predictor of happiness. It's known as 'time affluence.' When we have the autonomy to choose the activities we spend our time on - at work and at home - our happiness quotient increases.

In this conversation we explore:

  • How taking time for fun and pleasure promotes productivity.

  • The difference between 'algorithmic work' and 'knowledge work' and why we need to make the rules of the work game clear.

  • What counts as work and some quick and easy tips on how to change your mindset about it in order to encourage creativity.

  • Do prescribed 'fun' activities at work, work?

  • How to reframe our thoughts, reclaim autonomy, and look for opportunities that invigorate to have more fun.

  • Why protecting and reclaiming your time are key activities for increasing your fun quotient.

Join the discussion by sharing your thoughts via the Spotify Q&A feature!

This week's point to ponder:

Do you have fun with your work tasks? Tell us about it!

Resources mentioned in this episode:

How to Thrive: Optimism and Creating Jolts of Joy

John Cleese on Creativity in Management - You Tube

Time Poverty & Time Affluence

Having Too Little or Too Much Time is Linked to Lower Subjective Well-Being
Sharif, Marissa, Cassie Mogilner, and Hal Hershfield (2021), Journal of Personality and Social Psychology.

Giving Time Gives You Time
Mogilner, Cassie, Zoë Chance, and Michael I. Norton (2012), "Giving Time Gives You Time," Psychological Science

Time Will Tell: The Distant Appeal of Promotion and Imminent Appeal of Prevention
Mogilner, Cassie, Jennifer L. Aaker, and Ginger L. Pennington (2008), “Time Will Tell: The Distant Appeal of Promotion and Imminent Appeal of Prevention,” Journal of Consumer Research

What Do Happy People Do?
Robinson, J.P., Martin, S. What Do Happy People Do?. Soc Indic Res 89, 565–571 (2008).

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Discussion about this podcast

The Messy Middle by Ellen Jackson
Potential Psychology
Explore what it is to be human and how to fulfil your potential.
Australian psychologist Ellen Jackson interviews experts in the mind, brain, happiness, well-being and high performance. Our conversations are easy and engaging, insightful and fun. Listen in to learn more about living well, mastering your mind and maximising the joy in your life.
So much to learn and all you need are your ears!
Find us at https://instagram.com/potentialpsychology and https://www.linkedin.com/in/ellenjacksonpotential/