This project started 12 years ago as a 25-year endeavor. This is the 48th edition, so two quarters from now we will have reached the halfway point. Each quarter, I bring you knowledge from two different thought leaders, like the two you find below. As we approach 100 thought leaders at the midway point, I have been reflecting on the rich catalog of wisdom that’s developed. Although the focus in recent years has been the science of fun, some of the more historic interviews have takeaways that are as relevant today as they were when first released.
One takeaway, in particular, I have been thinking about comes from Mark Friedman, the co-founder of Perfect Fitness, LLC, the company that created the Perfect Pushup. In our interview (from exactly a decade ago) Mark shared his opinion that we should always, “try to take something off the table along the way.” In other words, some sacrifice in the name of pursuit is fine, but not if it means completely forsaking yourself. This insight not only applies to matters of money—science suggests it certainly applies to the issues of time, as well. I believe too many of us are wearing our fatigue as a badge of honor. There is empirical evidence to support this assertion; not taking time off the table for ourselves for fun and renewal is self-defeating. The irony is those of us who prioritize fun and leisure generally perform better than those who do not.
I had the pleasure of interviewing the legendary Timothy Wilson this quarter. A prolific researcher, Dr. Wilson is a prevailing thought leader on the effects our unconscious mind has on our behavior and decision-making. Our interview about mindset and story editing can be found here.
I also had a great time interviewing Gary Ware. Gary is the founder of Breakthrough Play, a consultancy that helps professionals and companies through interventions that involve play. He just gave a TEDx talk about the power of play. Our interview about the power of play can be found here.
On the topic of fun, leisure and play, today I’m crafting the newsletter from beautiful Rio de Janeiro. I can’t continually talk the talk about the importance of renewal and not walk the walk. No trip to Brazil is complete without the obligatory photo with Christ the Redeemer.
Closer to home this quarter, the family and I also immersed ourselves in some life experience by participating in the Water Lantern Festival. It was a neat way to do something novel with the kids where they had an outlet to add their own meaning to functional art.
My contribution this quarter came in the form of supporting the AfroChicano Press, a project put together by a classmate to preserve the stories of individuals at the intersectional experiences of class, race, culture, sexuality and gender. Additionally, while in Brazil this week, I met with the founders of Joyz, an app that connects good-doers with those in need. Although Joyz is currently focused on growing in Brazil, they’ll be entering the United States soon. Amazed with what they’ve been able to accomplish so far, I contributed by funding an account and distributing some Joyz.
The book is still on track to be published next year. Getting to interact with so many great people (like yourself) around the topic of fun has made this project a wonderful journey. I feel like we are all in this together, and together we are creating a lot more fun for us and those around us. As always, thanks for being part of the fun.
Rock on,
Mike Rucker, Ph.D.
P.S. I was recently featured on Brian Ford’s podcast, Self Improvement Daily. If podcasts are your thing, you can check out the episode here.
