Lisa Dadd is a career and lifestyle strategist, experiential learning facilitator, transformation speaker—and the author of Finding Fabulous. After obtaining her master’s degree in sport’s medicine, she entered the corporate world of health care where she spent 15 years in sales and management roles. (Lisa and I have a lot in common here). 5 years ago she shrugged off the corporate life to find more meaning, purpose, and fun. She shared her story at a TedX talk titled “The Two Most Liberating Words You’ll Ever Say”. She blurs the line between work and play using fun and unique learning principles to help individuals redefine success on their own terms.

 

Play

How many times have you heard people talk about “work – life balance”? It doesn’t exist, right? The two aren’t separate from each other, we only have one life and work is a part of it. Lisa approaches the uneven keel of life from a center of play. But what does that mean? For Lisa, play is a way of showing up, a way of being—a spirit if you will. She finds play a powerful way to move ourselves forward. We can all play ourselves to greatness. So say you’re a leader in a corporate, serious environment. Play can help make discoveries, view problems from new angles, and transcend our current state of knowledge.

 

Transformation

Lisa says she is a recovering perfectionist. Stepping into a more entrepreneurial lifestyle later in life forced her to shift away from perfectionism, and embrace the mess. If you can’t do that then you suffer really quickly. Learning to play in the ambiguity and unknown of being a leader, whether it is in the corporate world or your personal one, was the key to transforming for Lisa. There are tough moments ahead, moments where you won’t know all the answers and be perfect. Giving yourself permission to play at these times helps eliminate stress, anxiety, and fear. You can always play differently next time.

 

Links

LisaDadd.com