There’s a spot on a surfboard—step there, and you speed up.
You commit to the wave.
You lean in.
In the art of being purposefully lucky, playfulness is that same accelerator.
Play is not a distraction.
And it’s definitely not something to cut from recess.
It’s not fluff.
It’s not the kick-your-feet-up reward after the “real” work is done.
Play is how the truly great leaps get made.
As playwright Nagle Jackson said:“The truly great advances of this generation will be made by those who can make outrageous connections—and only a mind that knows how to play can do that.”
Why?
Because outrageous connections don’t come from spreadsheets, strategic plans, or solemn dedication.
They come when you’re receptive and lit up.
They come when you’re playing.
🧠 Why Playfulness Speeds Up Luck
Playfulness isn’t a mood.
And it’s certainly not frivolous.
It’s a mode of operation—an energetic state that accelerates all four lucky behaviors:
🎯 It encourages wild experimentation → curiosity
🛠 It lightens the load of setbacks → resilience
🌞 It invites delight by default → positive expectations
🌊 It tunes you into your own brilliance → trusting yourself
As Psychology Today notes, play renews neural flexibility—critical for adapting to whatever life throws your way.
And Neuroscience News reports that playful adults are more creative, more content, and more resilient.
In other words, play doesn’t distract from growth.
It speeds it up.
It sharpens instincts.
Loosens your grip on control.
And invites luck to slip in sideways when you least expect it.
🌊 The Game This Week: Play to Go Faster
If you’ve started adopting the lucky behaviors—amazing.
You’re already surfing life instead of paddling through it.
Now?
Put your foot on the sweet spot.
Let play accelerate you.
Try this:
- Swap one “have to” for a “get to”
- Do something just because it delights you
- Make room for spontaneity—and trust what shows up
Because the most surprising connections don’t arrive when you’re grinding.
They appear when you’re dancing, laughing, scribbling on napkins, or talking nonsense with a friend.
If you want to go faster—
If you want to catch bigger waves, spot opportunities sooner, and ride with style—
start grinning and playing.
Play turns momentum into velocity.
And that’s where magic meets mastery.