By Jeff Houchens

1. Challenge 4.4: Play Plan
Jeff Houchens
Student ID: 0004636947
Date: 11/17/14 - 11/23/14

2. Topics of Discussion
1. Concepts Learned from weeks 1-4
2. One part of my adult life that I
would like to change for play
3. How this relates to finding a
healthy balance between work and
play
4. Obstacles that stand in my way
5. 3 Goals that will make will make
these changes
6. Plan/Schedule to achieve goals
Image Source: http://bit.ly/1reIuDB

3. Concepts Learned from weeks 1-4
1. Week 1: Inherent attraction and Voluntary
This week the main thing I liked was the inherent attraction of an
activity. I have two degrees already, but I discovered after each that
I have no desire to do them after the work day is completed. With
Game Design, I feel I can be drawn to the activity of designing a
game even when I’m not at work because it’s something I think I
can really get into all the time. I think it will be a completely
voluntary activity too and I just can’t wait to get started.

4. Concepts Learned from weeks 1-4
2. Week 2: Cognitive Benefits of Play
From week 2, I took away from it that
play is not only fun, but it has
cognitive benefits on the brain. It
helps with creative thinking, critical
thinking, problem solving, language
skills, and even thinking about future
consequences. I already implemented
a strategy to help nurture these traits
by buying a dollhouse for our little girl.
It’s completely bare so she has to
design how she wants it to look
(colors, furniture, dolls, etc.).
Image Source: http://bit.ly/1zfKRuf

5. Concepts Learned from weeks 1-4
3. Week 3: Rewards lead to poorer performance
From week 3, I was surprised to learn that bigger rewards can lead
to poorer performance during a complicated assignment. I already
understand that micromanagement is poor management and the best
way to reach employees is through autonomy once they’ve had the
proper training. The rewards system will then need to be correct for the
correct type of job. What would be a good reward for a complicated
task? Maybe not tell them there is one from the beginning and once it
is finished reward everyone involved by taking them out to dinner.
That way they’ll feel appreciated for doing a good job!

6. Concepts Learned from weeks 1-4
4. Week 4: Peak Performance Time
In week 4, I liked the idea of identifying my peak performance time.
I think that I can use this strategy to identify not only my own time,
but help my girlfriend and her daughter identify theirs too. We can
then all focus on doing things we have to during those times and
focus on doing the fun things we want to do in other times. It will
help make our weeks go by more smoothly in a more organized
manner.

7. One Change I’d Like to Make
One change I’d like to make in my
life would be to spend more time
doing community activities. I’ve
always wanted to get involved
doing some type of charity or non-
profit work for the homeless or the
less fortunate, but I have never
placed the time in. Looking at my
Wheel of Life, I can see that that
area is my weakest.

8. Healthy Balance of Work and Play
Helping the local community would:
● Promote a physical activity
● Help me think of creative activities that people
would like
● Change up my normal schedule and introduce
something new
● Be a positive influence on our child
● It would be something fun to do outside the house

9. Obstacles?
1. Finding time to do it! We already have a
full week with different work schedules,
after school activities such as chorus and
gymnastics, and my school work.
2. Distance to the event. Traveling may
dissuade us from going out and attending
the events
3. Finding an activity that is fun for us and
beneficial to the community. This will
encourage freedom from time and flow of
play during the event.
4. Seasons in Virginia can be very hot or very
cold and snowy. These things can
discourage us from attending and people
from coming out. Image Source: http://bit.ly/1uQBEJC

10. 3 Goals that will make this possible
1. Make a monthly schedule of tasks at hand so we can
see when we have time to do the things we have to
and do the things we want to do like attend
community events.
2. Find events that are local to help promote a better
community where we live and keep us interested in
going
3. Find local events that can be attended year round.
Possibly indoor events.

11. My Monthly Play Planner

12. Play Planner Goals
In my monthly planner, my objectives are as follows:
1. My work schedule won’t change. Sunday - Wednesday from 9pm to 7am.
2. School work is due Sunday and Wednesday nights. I will try to work on it every night at work if I
have time, otherside, I will dedicate all day Sunday and Monday to completing the work. If
anything takes more time, I’ll have to fit it in throughout the week.
3. Tuesdays are typically busy with work and gymnastics so I won’t have much time to do anything
else there.
4. Thursdays are rest days since I’ll be coming off night shift. I can get up and make dinner for the
family since I don’t have to work Friday.
5. Fridays are my play days where I can enjoy myself during the day alone. Every other Friday we’ll
do some fun family events.
6. Saturdays used to be my homework days mixed in with Sundays, but I want to allocate my time
in the morning for our community activities.
7. Sundays are when I can finish up any homework left over before I go to work. The last Sunday of
every month, I’ll create a new monthly plan for the following month.
8. This monthly plan directs work, play and responsibilities in the most efficient way possible.