What if work and play were actually the same thing? 

It's a question I've been thinking about lately, particularly watching my kids play. 

Kids have this incredible ability to turn almost anything into a game. They'll spend hours building something, knocking it down, starting again and figuring out how to make it better. 

They get frustrated, they fail, they try again. And somehow, they're having the time of their lives. 

As adults, somewhere along the way, we seem to lose that. 

We get serious. Mortgages, employees, debt and all the pressures of running a business. Work becomes something we HAVE to do rather than something we WANT to do. 

And slowly, we forget how to play. 

I love the kids' cartoon Bluey, and recently I was listening to an interview with its creator, Joe Brumm where he shared a definition of play that really stuck with me. 

"Play is the voluntary overcoming of unnecessary problems." 

Think about that. 

Kids invent challenges that don't need to exist, then throw themselves into solving them. Not because they have to, but because they WANT to. 

And isn't building a great business exactly the same thing? 

The first challenge in business is survival. We need to generate enough income to cover our costs, pay the bills and keep the doors open. 

Unfortunately, this is where far too many farm owners spend most of their working lives. The problems aren't voluntary. They HAVE to be solved. 

But once we get consistently beyond breakeven, something interesting happens. 

We get to choose the next challenge. 

Could we double our profitability? Build a business that runs without us? Create enough wealth to give our kids choices? Take three months off and know everything will keep running? 

None of these challenges are necessary for survival. They're problems we voluntarily choose to overcome because we're excited by what's possible. 

And that's play! 

We see this with many of our Platinum Mastermind members. As their businesses become more profitable and better managed, the challenges don't disappear. 

Instead, they start choosing bigger, more exciting ones. 

There's a different energy about them. They're experimenting, learning, challenging themselves and enjoying the process of getting better. 

They're no longer just trying to survive. They're playing a game they've chosen to play. 

And energy matters. 

When we're overwhelmed and constantly reacting, it's hard to think creatively or see opportunity. But when we're energised and enjoying what we're doing, we bring a completely different version of ourselves to our business, our team and our family. 

Great work doesn't have to be easy to be fun. In fact, some of the most enjoyable things we do are incredibly challenging. 

The difference is that we've chosen the challenge. 

Maybe the goal isn't to work less because we hate work. Maybe it's to build a business where we love the work we choose to do. 

That's what building a Freedom Farm is all about. 

And perhaps it's time we learnt how to play again. 

Which brings me to an invitation. 

On Monday 15 and Tuesday 16 February 2027, we're bringing our TOP Producers Workshop to Crown Perth, and I'd love you to join us for two days of working (or should I say PLAYING!) ON your farm business. 

It’s great to see so many farm owners from all over Australia already joining us and we would love to see you there. 

Two days away from the daily grind, surrounded by ambitious farm owners, exploring what's possible and building a plan for more profit, more control and more freedom. 

Because building a great business should be exciting. And sometimes we just need to give ourselves permission to enjoy the game. 

So, what game would YOU choose to play if your business was no longer just about survival? 

Come and spend two days with us in Perth and let's find out. 

👉 Join us at the TOP Producers Workshop in Perth 

Regards 

Sam Johnsson 
CEO, Farm Owners Academy 

P.S. What if the next big challenge on your farm was one you chose, rather than one that landed in your lap? Join us at TOP Producers in Perth on 15 and 16 February to step away from the daily demands and start building the farming future you actually want. See where two days could take you →