Once a day, take a moment to remember your real life’s work and differentiate it from the games you play in order to achieve it.

Then, commit to playing wholeheartedly…

I’ve mentioned the idea of using the word play to replace the word work. If you have no way to feel playful doing your work, get different work.

This is not to say that play is easy. Real creativity, which is the essence of play, can feel absolutely grueling. But ultimately there is a sense of joy and meaning in having done it. The essential self doesn’t mind hard work. But it will reject meaningless work.

Martha Beck Blog, I Rest my Pace