Life Lessons from the World of Improv
As a dedicated improv enthusiast, I can’t help but notice that the skills and insights gained from this art form often spill over into everyday life. In this article, I share some of the key ideas that apply equally to both improv and life, highlighting the impact of the #yesand philosophy. Each of these insights is taken from a Facebook post by my improv partner Jonathan.
- Listen to understand what’s going on around you.
In both improv and life, active listening is crucial. It helps you to be present in the moment, allowing you to respond effectively to your surroundings and engage meaningfully with others. Paying attention to what’s happening around you will enable you to build stronger relationships and make better decisions.
2. Accept the gifts you’re given because there are MANY when you look closely.
Improv scenes often thrive on the unexpected, where performers must adapt to whatever “gifts” are thrown their way. Similarly, in life, we should learn to embrace the unexpected opportunities and challenges that come our way. These gifts may lead us to new experiences, personal growth, and a richer understanding of ourselves and others.
3. If you succeed, you succeed together, and when you bomb, you bomb together.
In improv, there are no individual stars. Success and failure are experienced collectively. This team mentality can be applied to many aspects of life, where working together and supporting one another often leads to greater achievements than trying to go it alone.
4. Trust that those around you are there for you.
In improv, trust is essential. Performers must rely on one another to create a cohesive scene. In life, cultivating trust in our relationships enables us to build a strong support network and to feel secure in navigating the challenges we face.
5. Everyone is funny, but not always when they try to be.
Humor can emerge in the most unexpected moments. Sometimes, the funniest moments in improv occur when performers aren’t even trying to be funny. Likewise, in life, we should appreciate the spontaneous and unplanned humor that arises in our everyday interactions.
6. Learn how to receive the note and then decide how or if you will apply it on your own time.
In improv, receiving feedback is a crucial part of growth and development. The same applies to life. It’s essential to be open to constructive criticism, but also to decide for ourselves how or if we want to incorporate that feedback into our lives.
7. If you have a passion for it, keep going.
Passion fuels our actions and motivates us to strive for greatness. Whether it’s improv, a hobby, or a career, if you’re passionate about something, keep pursuing it. You never know where that passion may lead.
The world of improv has a lot to teach us about life. By embracing the principles of active listening, adaptability, teamwork, trust, humor, openness to feedback, and passion, we can build richer, more fulfilling lives. So, the next time you find yourself in a challenging situation, remember the lessons of improv and say “yes, and” to the possibilities that lie ahead.
Thanks for sharing these insights, Jonathan!
Here is my response with meditation insights that can be applied to improv:
