Jeff McLanahan
Contributing Writer
Success Academy Trainer

The first day of September is bittersweet for a lot of us.  Summer fun is done, but autumn brings changes in both weather and attitude. Just like students return to school refreshed from a few months of vacation, many adults look at the season as a signal to buckle down on business with a renewed focus.

But before we totally write off the summer of 2016, here is a question: Will you continue to play? Your answer had better be “yes.”

Play helps the way we learn by improving how we handle stress.  When we get stressed out, our brain and other organs receive less oxygen, which in turn makes it harder to retain content or even focus on learning. But lightening the mood before a learning session can get that oxygen back where it needs to go.

When you play, the stress goes back into balance, and you can tell right away. Colors see brighter. You think more clearly. The world becomes orderly.  It’s a fun way of restoring your sense of balance.

Using play to alleviate stress can be as simple as encouraging employees to toss a ball back and forth or tell jokes or funny stories. The Success Academy team uses a number of participant interactions in every course to allow the participants to play, while at the same time reinforce the learning from the training.  The Mayo Clinic reports the simple act of genuine laughter can have short-term effects like stimulating organs by forcing the body to take in more oxygen, as well as long-term benefits as an immune system booster and pain killer.

The more relaxed you are, the easier it is to laugh.  The more you laugh, the more relaxed you get.  Try to do something that’s a little silly and a little social. Have you ever noticed that once one person starts giggling, it’s hard not to join in.  Training should be fun!

So even though the summer might be over, don’t let play become a thing of the past. Make sure employee’s still get time to socialize with others in a non-work context.  This can help continue learning well into the fall and winter months.

I’ve already scheduled a week of playtime in Texas — a trip to Houston to meet with the newest members of my North American Learning & Development team.  Wait until they get a load of me!

Thank you for making learning and development a priority!

 

Jeff McLanahan is a seasoned training executive with more than 20 years of proven success with some of the most well-known and highly respected franchise brand.  In June 2013, Jeff joined Direct Energy Home Services as the Vice President of Training for Success Academy, the exclusive training partner for the Direct Energy Home Services branded businesses including One Hour Heating & Air Conditioning, Benjamin Franklin – The Punctual Plumber, and Mister Sparky – America’s On Time Electrician. Success Academy, supporting the home services brands of Direct Energy.