100 Ways to Play at Work #36: Change Your Appearance

A variation on “spot the difference” where you change little things about yourself throughout the day. Change your shirt. Add a scarf. Wear a ring. Change your necklace. Grow a mustache. You’ll be wonderfully mysterious, and each time someone sees you they’ll look at you with intrigue and say, “Did you always have a face tattoo?”

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This series was inspired by people asking me “How do I keep doing improv?” after a corporate improv workshop. There are, of course, improv classes, more workshops, team building exercises you can do with your group, but these games are specifically ones you can do on your own to practice “Yes and” and get into a state of play.

100 Ways to Play at Work #34: Act "As If"

Write yourself a goal. Now imagine what it would be like it you achieved that goal. Now act like you would after having achieved it.

Want to lose weight to feel more confident? Act more confident now!

Want to make more money to feel more secure? Act more secure now!

Want to be the boss of this place? Act like the boss now! (Take the company plane. Heck, wanna be a pilot? Fly it!)

Play the character you want to be. Show the universe you’ll be able to handle what it brings you.  

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This series was inspired by people asking me “How do I keep doing improv?” after a corporate improv workshop. There are, of course, improv classes, more workshops, team building exercises you can do with your group, but these games are specifically ones you can do on your own to practice “Yes and” and get into a state of play.

100 Ways to Play at Work #1: Alphabet Game

There’s plenty of stuff (deadlines, clients, that Kevin guy) trying to make your job stressful on the outside, so let’s try to balance that by finding some joy on the inside. This is a series of fun little games you can play on your own or with others, to put your mind into a state of play (even while you’re at work).

#100: Alphabet Game

Have a regular conversation with your coworker(s), like you always would, but make it fun for yourself by playing the Alphabet Game. Every time it’s your turn to talk, use the next sequential letter of the alphabet.

“Hey Sarah, I need you to AI that thing.”

“As you wish.”

“Thanks, it’ll be so on trend.”

“Bet it will be.”

“Let me know if you need any help with it.”

“Could I get more money?”

“Haha” 

Bonus challenge: Instead of going in alphabetical order from a to Z, follow the order they set. If their first word is “Help!” you reply by starting with an “I.” Just use the next letter after theirs.

Fun!