The Story Framing WELLth Learning Network
What follows – is the inspirational story of WELLth Learning Network's early beginnings – shared by Stephen Hobbs.
We know we're living a never-ending story! Others will join, and nurture other perspectives, other stories – all essential ingredients to work and live in a network.
To continue Stephen's story … here are more of his ideas.
Since I began my work-life as a teenager in outdoor summer camps and winter playground programs, I have been fascinated with these thoughts:
- There must be smarter ways to live one’s great life
- There must be smarter ways to create the well-living workplace
- There must be smarter ways to co-create the well-living world
Starting in the field of recreation had me thinking these thoughts because recreation is re:creation – about the creation of something. That something involved fun and playfulness among people of all ages.
Then I recognized the parallels between play and learning. They share most of the same qualities. They are about:
Creative process Community Confidence
Communication Collaboration Capability
Competence Compliance Capacity
Even Jean Piaget, a noted Swiss biologist and philosopher suggested “play is the work of childhood” and as such playfulness and learning must carry on into the boardroom. Think of it this way … as a child we learned through playing. Unfortunately, some lost their childlike playfulness while still retaining their adult approach to learning. This regrettable divorce has caused many a problem in work. “All work and no fun makes you a dull person” – okay, I paraphrase ))smiles.
Even I missed opportunities to play more in my work-life. My mistaken dour look had people running from me. Little did they know—at the time—I enjoy playing, a lot. I was taking myself way too seriously.
Then I found my stride again. I reconnected with my play-learning connection. I linked my youthful playfulness through organizing half to multi day long workshops when I used play related learning activities to engage people. 
The activities were meant to share a common experience among the participants in a fun and meaningful way. The message linked with the organization’s take on balancing people, productivity and profit.
Also with my love of writing I found an excellent way to share my insights. Through words I could be serious, playful or a mixture. My books and eBooks offer my insights in ways to stimulate thinking, feeling and acting. They are filled with optimism, ways to see your life, your work, your world though other lenses.
The activities included in each book bring into play simply serious fun … as such, I hope you take up the learning activities with a smile and a hint of mischief. And I’m sure this website, our programs, and products, services and experiences will make a difference for you. If one or more does, let me know by info@wellthlearning.com. I appreciate reading about your learning.
Last Trip as a White Water Raftiing Guide after 22 summers
The lump = team development paperwork LOL
“Steve is an insightful educator with a passion to make the world a better place. His work has helped countless individuals and organizations to transition from mediocrity to excellence giving them tools to be successful. He has built his own organizations using his outside the box business knowledge and his personal integrity. If you work with Steve, you will learn – I did.” April 14, 2009
By W. Todd Maki, past CEO, World ICU, Inc.
