At the most recent Southwest Airlines Culture Committee Meeting, my good friend Scott Andrezjwski, who is an Aircraft Mechanic for Southwest Airlines, told me he had taken up a new hobby and was really enjoying it. Our team has been doing research for strategies to create and maintain extraordinary Life/Work Balance so my curiosity was eager to learn more. When I asked what triggered this change in his life, he shared the following story:
“To answer your question about daring myself to learn to play the piano.....You are to blame, Ann! Yes you! After last year’s Culture Committee Meeting that found you doing your playful, and not-so-polished tap dance in front of the group (as you said just like kids would do in a spontaneous show in the backyard), you asked us what our childhood dreams might be that we never had the courage to act on. I took that thought home. Besides my dream of becoming the next quarterback of the Pittsburgh Steelers, I always had a fascination with the piano. I don't know why. No one in my family played. In fact, I didn't know anyone that had a piano or played it. I'm racking my brain right now and still cannot think of why I liked the piano. I have never had a music lesson of any kind. I sang in the choir in Middle School, but that was about the extent of my musical talent. So, since my professional sports days are long past, I dared myself to learn piano. I guess it was my New Year Resolution. I knew I wouldn’t find the time for individual lessons, so I found http://www.learnpianoonline.com. It didn't cost very much, so I joined. I purchased a very inexpensive keyboard. I figured if I didn't like it, I could always give it to a niece or nephew as a gift. My investment is minimal; I just have to find the time. I do it at home, at my own pace, without any pressure. It has been fun and Challenging!
I'm about midway through the lesson plan. The further along it goes, the harder it gets. I can actually read music now. That in itself is remarkable, but I still have a long way to go. I can play any beginners music now. Simple stuff like: “Mary Had a Little Lamb,” “On Top of Old Smokey,” “Skip to My Lou,” and “Jingle Bells.” It's been fun, but I wish life wouldn't get in the way so much. Our jobs, homes, family, relationships and hobbies take way to much time out of the day. Maybe that's why we all long to be that kid again. Life was so much easier back then.
Hopefully I will finish all the lessons. If I do, maybe I'll play my first recital during a Culture meeting. Whether I do or don’t perform for all our friends at Southwest Airlines, I’ll still have a fun new way to keep my life energized. It’s been fun learning and creating something new, something outside my comfort zone. I’ll keep you informed of my progress.”
I encouraged Scott to remember to enjoy this new interest purely for the fun of it and not with the expectations of mastery that he brings to his work as a top-notch Aircraft Mechanic. As kids, we only stuck with new interests as long as they were fun and that was a big part of the magic. Can you recall that sense of enticing pleasure and adventure?
I am remembering a great story from our good friend, Ed Platt, and electrical engineer who was then Plant Manager at a very demanding power plant in Central Texas. There was a great deal of stress due to contentious union negotiations. When I challenged the leaders of Ed’s company to find a fun hobby to explore and enjoy, both to increase their energy and to nurture their creative spirit, Ed discovered the fun of creating with stain glass. He would doodle designs in the endless business meetings that are part of being a plant manager. And then go home and head to his work shop after dinner to enjoy executing his ideas.
When his colleagues discovered his new hobby and how prolific he had become designing in stained glass, they asked how in the world he found the time. He responded, “It’s easy! I look forward to working with this creative outlet in the time I used to spend just feeling tired.” He noted that as a result of this new-found interest, he rested better and enjoyed more energy, more patience, and better attitude.
Remember as kids when we would challenge each other gleefully with, “I double- dog dare you!” Well I double-dog dare you to go find a new special interest and enjoy it just for the fun of it! As you do, notice the quality and quantity of fresh energy you experience. When something is fun for us, our brain emits endorphins which thin the blood, open tiny capillaries and enhance not only our energy and intelligence but also our creativity, immune system and patience. We sleep better and become more intuitive.
In essence, child-like play is the magic that makes all of life more rewarding, fun and productive. What’s fun for you and when are you planning your next adventure?
I Double-Dog Dare You!!!
Left, Gary Kelly. CEO Soutwest Airlines.
Right, Scott Andrezjwski. Aircraft Mechanic.
