LEARNING TO LAUGH AT YOURSELF
Recently I was asked to comment on a blog that I received from the online nurses website about improvisational theatre. (http://www.accreditedonlinecolleges.com/blog/2011/20-life-lessons-you-can-learn-from-improv),
I was open to taking a look at it because over the years I have participated in many imrov workshops and classes and I think it’s a great tool to loosen ourselves up. And it’s a lot of fun.
Spontaneity is the soul of improv. And who doesn’t want to be more spontaneous? It’s something that we would all like more of; having a sense of freedom, more present and less judgmental; flowing with the currents of life. This essential life skill (spontaneity) makes it easier to handle life’s twists and turns whatever they are.
Improv is not just for those wanting to improve their theatre skills but is for all of us. In the process we learn to tap into our resourcefulness and creativity which are great tools to cultivate, adding enormous benefits both to our personal and professional lives.
Quite often in an improv class we have to think out of the box in a way we never thought possible. What could be possible in your life if you learned to think out of the box? Have you ever wondered what your life could look like if it turns out better than you ever imagined? We start to wonder about some of our limiting beliefs.
Improve teaches us about communication and collaboration. Making a scene work well means giving and taking, with rules governing how the game is played. It means letting go of our opinions and judgments for the common good; in this case the scene, in other situations our relationships.
We have to cooperate with others, even those we don’t like. I’m sure you know that one: it could be that boss, partner, co-worker or employee.
We have to learn to leave our ego at the door and to step out and perhaps risk sounding like a fool, in the process learning to laugh at ourselves. We need humor. It heals us. It saves us from all of the doom and gloom. Learn to laugh at yourself, even telling a joke once in a while.
Improv provides you with an opportunity to be courageous in a way that perhaps you haven’t dared to go. You put yourself out there. You don’t know what the response will be but you go on discovering what’s next, all the wiser for being on the journey. Your life becomes an exciting journey of discovery.
Journey ON
Mark
Mark Susnow, is an executive and life coach, who inspires others to believe in themselves. A former trial attorney for 30 years, he integrates what it takes to be successful in the world with the inner wisdom unfolded to him through years of yoga and meditation. He is the author of, Dancing on the River:Navigating Life’s Changes.