What's cooler than cool? Not being cool. That's according to Jeff Harry in this episode of the Changed Podcast.
Jeff Harry is an international speaker who has presented at conferences such as INBOUND, SXSW, and Australia’s Pausefest, showing audiences how major issues in the workplace can be solved using play. Jeff was selected by BambooHR & Engagedly as one of the Top 100 HR Influencers of 2020 for his organizational development work around dealing with toxic people in the workplace. His playwork has been featured on AJ+, SoulPancake, the SF Chronicle, and CNN.
While we spend most of our time pretending to be important, serious grownups, it's when we let go of that facade and just play, that the real magic happens. Fully embracing your own nerdy genius — whatever that is — gives you the power to make a difference and change lives.
Jeff believes that we already have many of the answers we seek, and by simply unleashing our inner child, we can find our purpose and, in turn, help to create a better world.
He's a forever kid. Talking to Jeff was like talking to the little brother I never had (I'm an only child). He's energetic, he's silly and he plays with legos... I mean, his lego bowtie has become a kind of symbol not just to him but to many! He's also insanely insightful, an incredible facilitator, and has good reason for letting go of the pressures so many of us have caved under as we've 'grown up.'
Takeaways from this episode
This should go without saying, but racism and hatred are never cool. So if in the pursuit of trying to be cool that is the route you're choosing...don't.
Speaking of cool... letting go of the need to be cool opens up a world of acceptance for being who you are. With the number of people currently living on this planet, what even is cool anyway?! Find people who are like you, who like you as you are, and then broaden out from there! The truth is, we all have a nerdy and silly side.
You attract more sense of belonging for yourself by creating a place where people are allowed to belong as themselves. Trying to feel valued by people who clearly do not value you is a losing battle. This is why trying to be the person people want to hire never works when you're job hunting. Be the best you that you can possibly be, and then look for places where that would be of tremendous value.
If you're curious about what you really care about deeply... you can mine your memories for that information! Dig into one of your favorite play-based memories from your childhood and then notice what you really cared about or enjoyed from that moment in your history. Those are the qualities you should create more of in your RIGHT NOW!
Links and links! Here are your links!
Jeff Harry can be found at https://www.rediscoveryourplay.com
Check out his inspiring talk at the World Domination Summit by clicking here.
Get full access to Making This up as I Go at makingthisup.substack.com/subscribe
Rediscover Your Play with Jeff Harry