"It's my toy"

I recently came across an analogy of toddlers and toys that I like.

When you give a toddler a toy, they play with it as though it’s theirs. You may have an issue when it’s time to take it back, though they give it back at last. But while it was with them, they tended the toy as though they had complete ownership.

With care. With fun. With gusto.

That’s a mental model useful for adults too. Tending to anything in your care as though you have complete ownership of that thing. With care. With fun. With gusto.

Someone invited you to take on a project? If you say yes, be ready to make it ‘your’ toy. You jokingly made a commitment, well you just got yourself another toy.

It’s good to account for the toys you have in your care, and how you are tending with care, intentionality, and gusto.

If you aren’t, maybe it’s time to pass it to another kid ready to play with it.