What is this thing called stress that seems to plague us?Here’s a simple definition: It’s the feeling we get when we want something we’re not getting. We want to get to an appointment and the traffic is stalled so we know we’ll be late — STRESS! We want our partner to listen to us lovingly and instead we’re getting advice or criticism — STRESS! We have a big dream for our future and we don’t see a way to get there — STRESS!So what do most of us do when we feel stress? We try harder. We try to force our way through the traffic to get somewhere on time. We speak more adamantly or pleadingly, trying to convince our partner to LISTEN! We work really, really hard to get ahead.Doesn’t have to be so hard This trying so hard — well, it’s trying! It’s exhausting. Our bodies feel the effects, and our health suffers — both our mental and physical health.What would happen if, instead of trying so hard, we played instead? What if we decided to have fun with our day, no matter what happens?In my experience, when I decide to go after what I want by having a good time at it, I end up enjoying myself, I’m able to be creative, and my stress level shrinks. My body and mind both feel energized rather than wiped out. Solutions show up more easily, and I am more likely to get what I want. Even if I don’t, I’m having a good time.Waiting and waiting and waiting… Here’s an example. A friend and I were at the airport to catch a red-eye flight. We were stuck in a long line at the airline check-in counter that wasn’t moving, and no one from the airline was giving out any information. Everyone standing in line was getting more and more frustrated and tired. One woman was even crying. Several of us kept trying to find out what was going on, and some people even pushed through the line to get to the counter to demand answers. My friend and I tried hard to be patient. All this “trying” was getting us nowhere.Then I had an idea and my friend joined me. We decided to find a way to have a good time in the midst of these “trying” circumstances. We had been sharing a very funny book aloud on our trip, so we pulled out the book, sat down on the floor and started reading it to each other. We were soon laughing hysterically and feeling quite relaxed.It took almost another hour before the airline started serving the line of people (the flight had been canceled). While we weren’t pleased with the airline and we were tired after the wait, we were in good spirits and could easily handle the necessary arrangements to shift to a different flight.Play, not hard work, is the shortest route to success.I know that sounds a little crazy, but wouldn’t it be worth trying out — especially if going after what you want in your life seems especially hard these days?How do you do this? I’d like to teach you five simple ways to turn your “work” into play. By work I mean anything in your life that feels like it’s wearing you out because it’s hard.Free teleseminar August 20 Want to play more and fret less? Join me for a free teleseminar on August 20 called Five Ways To Play When Everything Seems Like Work. Check out the details here. Nothing hard about it!