29 Feb Play Date

It’s Feb. 29th. This day only comes around every four years. So if I were born on this day, I’d be about 12 right now. If I were 12, I would not be spending this sunny, 63 degree day working. I’d go outside and play.

Whether you’re 12 or 48, you still need to play. Play is what makes life worth living. We work so we can play. And the more playful our work can be, the better off we are.

As I was watching the #OscarsSoWhite last night, I thought about how lucky the nominated actors are. They get paid hundreds of thousands of dollars to play. And, whether they win a gold statue or not, they leave with a swag bag worth $250k.

It occurred to me that, while I may never get a $250k swag bag, I get to play at my job as well. I basically spend every day working with words, art and pictures to come up with ads, post content, produce videos, develop websites, design packaging and other fun stuff. And people pay me to do that. Not a bad gig.

As if that weren’t enough, I get to work with smart, creative people. People who run businesses, manage marketing departments and direct events. People, in short, who make things happen. It’s these people – clients, vendors, freelancers, photographers, printers, media reps and coworkers – who make my job feel more like a game than an occupation. Because while we share some tight deadlines and high expectations, we also share a lot of laughs. (Not to mention an occasional cocktail.)

So while the Oscar winners all thanked the Academy last night, I’d like to thank Leap Year for this extra day. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’m going to go outside and play.