Are We Misunderstanding Play?

The other day, a friend sent me a podcast with the note: “At 43 minutes, they talk about play!” (By the way, I love getting messages like this.)

The podcast focused on the idea of flourishing, and one of the speakers shared that play is essential for it. But then they immediately pivoted to talking about games. He said, “A good game is one that provides a sense of accomplishment,” and argued that this is a key ingredient for flourishing.

Sure, sports and games can be about accomplishment—the rules, goals, and rewards create that feeling of achievement.

But play? At its core, play doesn’t need rules or even a purpose. It’s about the freedom to explore, connect, and imagine—without measuring the outcome.

And yet…maybe there’s something more to it. Play, even unstructured, can feel like an accomplishment because it allows us to express ourselves fully. It’s where creativity, learning, and connection thrive. It’s what lets us try something new, safely, without the fear of failure.

This got me thinking: how often do we confuse play with accomplishment? In a world so focused on results, play reminds us to value the process itself—to let go of the scoreboard and simply be.

In the workplace, this kind of play is a game-changer. It unlocks innovation, strengthens teams, and helps us recover from burnout. It’s not about “winning”; it’s about rediscovering joy and energy in what we do.

What’s your take on play? Is it about accomplishment—or something deeper? Hit reply and let me know!