Giving Yourself Permission to Play - Tom O'Leary

In one sentence: Bring more play into your life.

Benefits: Become more creative not only about how you live your life but how you imagine living your life.

Alongside my other roles in life, I am an play researcher focusing specifically on the role of play in coaching and in adulthood more broadly. It has always fascinated me how for many adults the voice of play gets pushed further away and relegated to smaller and smaller parts of life. And yet studies on adult play have consistency shown the incredible benefits of nourishing play in adulthood. At its most basic, playfulness creates a virtuous loop of positive emotions (joy) creating an urge to play, push the boundaries and be creative (Fredrickson, 2004). This has massive benefits in the work sphere where an ability to be creative and innovative in a world full of ambiguity, paradox and uncertainty is a major benefit. Play has even been found to help with stress-reduction and coping strategies with playful people more likely to have better coping strategies.

So, how loud in the voice of play across your life?

If you would like to make it louder just arrange a playbreak and we can chat more.

References:

Fredrickson, B. (2004). The broaden-and-build theory of positive emotions. Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences, 359(1449), 1367–1377. doi:10.1098/rstb.2004.1512

Arrange a CHAT NOW!

Programme Outline

This programme starts with a structured play history where we explore your own relationship with play over your life and what play means to you now. It is important to bring to life any stories that may be holding you back before we play together to imagine what play might look like.

Tom’s innate ability to listen and empathise enabled me to relax and really explore the issues that were causing me some anxiety. Our sessions provided me with an enhanced sense of self-awareness and a considered plan of action. The benefits in terms of relationships and self-confidence this process has given me are invaluable, in both work and life in general!

Testimonial from Sean, Ireland

I went for coaching with Tom, without knowing what I wanted but knowing that I needed some help after having a number of setbacks with interviews. By the end of the first session, I was beginning to realise my problems. By the end of the second session, I was beginning to realise what I wanted. In our final two sessions, Tom helped me to identify a strategy for achieving my goals.
I thoroughly enjoyed our sessions. Tom listened without judgement, guided without being opinionated and ultimately helped me to help myself. You can’t ask more from a coach.

Testimonial from Paul, Ireland

I didn’t think I had a specific need for a coach, however, having met Tom outside of our professional roles we decided to set up a coaching programme. I’m delighted we did. Tom’s approach is based on taking it slow, listening first and asking questions you won’t have thought of second. The latter always result in positive actions to take away and implement immediately. Now, I’m really looking forward to continuing our working relationship.

Testimonial from James Crothall, Account Director at AMO DIGITAL

Make Play a Superpower