Are You a Seagull?

Please read this article by SETH GODIN. "When to Speak Up" it is so good.

You've probably heard this type of critic described as a "SEAGULL" because they swoop and poop. I saw it ALL the time when I worked in the corporate jungle and I see it even MORE in the volunteer circles in which I travel. Especially when working on creative new ideas.

I'm generally a positive person; but, if you want to bring out the Mama Bear in me, sit silently through all the planning meetings and THEN crap all over the hard work of the engaged, active, involved people in the group just before -or right after- the project execution. As Godin notes, "Rooting for your team to fail is as bad as it sounds." Ouch.

My own theory? People do this because it makes them FEEL like they've done something.

How about try this instead: Participate from the beginning. And, as Godin suggests, "Come to the next meeting with a better plan about the next decision." 

'Nuff said.

Create

Today, I share a page of my journal and remind you to CREATE in every
way. Every day. Draw. Write. Brainstorm. Play. Solve a problem. Help
someone. Build something. Act. Make music. ANYTHING! Just create!

Live Your Dreams

I love this! http://www.values.com is the website for more inspiration!
Happy Saturday!

Being Honest

I realized I don't talk about it much on this blog, but, in addition to writing about creativity and teaching improv, I also perform a 2-person show that I created.

It is character-based improv. This means, I slip into an alter-ego and perform a show. Prior to that, I'd always performed for other people, in their shows -becoming a part of something they'd created and it was great! I loved it. Creating and performing my own show was a different thing entirely.

In November, the other half of this two-person show and I celebrate our 5 year anniversary of performing together. As we approach this milestone, I wanted to share some things I learned along the way:

1. Creativity isn't always easy. It often it feels like WORK and you might have to deal with things you never thought you'd have to deal with! As long as you are PREPARED for that piece of creativity, you'll do fine. I have to work nearly EVERY function of this show, except the piano-playing part which my great friend, Aaron, does. Advertising, posters, set up, tear down, programs, costumes, prizes . . . I've performed in venues where we had to set up the tables and chairs so our audience would have a place to sit. I learned along the way that in creating a SHOW, I was also learning to CREATE the other stuff, too. Thankfully, I've had some GREAT help along the way. It has been VALUABLE for learning and growth and I'm grateful for that part of this creative journey.
2. Creativity can make you want to give up. Many times.  If you can make it PAST that place. Past the "giving up" point, you will get through to the other side! Believe me! What will help you is a great SUPPORT NETWORK. A couple of days before my first show, you would've found me, crying on my living room floor and telling my husband, "This is the STUPIDEST thing I've ever decided to do." Luckily he just listened and said something soothing and I picked myself off the floor and did it. It was great! And, after the show where we had 9 people in the audience, I wanted to give up. And my daughter was there to say, "Remember Mom, you sing it at the end of every show, 'Make your own kind of music, even if nobody else sings along.'" She was right. And that show had some amazing, intimate moments with the audience that are priceless.
3. Creativity can be humiliating or frustrating. Again, just be prepared for it. I've found that those moments teach me what I want and what I DON'T want. That venue where we had to put out tables and chairs and set up for ourselves? We know we don't want to create in a space like that so we don't do shows there anymore. I also have a mantra for those rough times, I say, "This will be a GREAT story for Letterman when we get big." That gets me through.
4. Creativity can be scary. I'm a firm believer that each creative experience should scare me just a little. So, to that end, I keep adding new songs to the show; stuff I never in a million years thought I'd ever be singing and/or doing. I think, if you're a little scared then you are creating something personal and unique.
5. Creativity is ALWAYS worth it. It really is. There's been no greater creative pleasure than nurturing and constantly growing this show. We have been blessed to perform all over the Pacific NW and in Florida, for great audiences (large and small!) The majority of our audience are the nicest people you'd ever want to meet. And, we have the satisfaction of performing this unique, one-of-a kind show that no one else does. That feels great. So, KEEP CREATING, friends! Keep creating. 

(Here's a sizzle reel of our show.)

That Degree CAN get you THERE!

Sometimes I read an article and have to sit and stew on it for a few days as I ponder what I really think about it. I came across the article 9 Ways a Theatre Degree Trumps a Business Degree last week. The author is a theatre major but currently working as a PR and Communications professional. He was inspired to write the article to encourage a friend who felt like her theatre degree didn't mean anything in the business world.

According to the author, here are the key advantages that an employee with a theatre degree brings to the table:

1. Advanced critical thinking and problem solving skills
2. Calm in a crisis
3. Understand deadlines and respect them
4. An eye on audience perception
5. Courageous
6. Resourceful
7. Team Player
8. Versatile
9. Flexible

I mostly agree with him on all these points. And, in fact, when I was working at a large corporation and things ALWAYS seemed to be delayed, I made the comment that delaying an "opening" just DOESN'T happen in theatre. The show goes ON!

What I do enjoy MOST about this article is the creativity he employees to help his friend see all her positive qualities; and move forward in confidence in a career that isn't directly related to her degree. The amazing thing is, YOU could create a list like this for nearly ANY degree you have and how YOUR degree helps you in your current profession. (Note: Of COURSE, there are SOME careers that require a specialized degree. If that is what you want to do, then this post MIGHT not be for you!!)

So, get creative friends. IF your degree doesn't match a job you a) currently hold; or b) wish you had; then get out a piece of paper and write down all the positive and TRANSFERABLE skills you learned from your degree. And, if you are a college dropout (like me) you can STILL create a list, just use PAST JOBS to identify positive/transferable skills!

5 Sentences on Creativity

Creating is for EVERY human being. Realize it is your BIRTHRIGHT, not the exclusive domain of a few. Everyone has a creative SUPERPOWER; it's up to you to use yours daily to express your unique CREATIVITY. At the center of all despair, is someone who is HIDING their uniqueness, their special force -don't let that happen to you. The TIME is already there; understanding you might have to give up something to reclaim that time. Enjoy the process, get your hands dirty, CREATE!

Not Just for Actors

If you live in the greater Renton/Seattle area, you can take a class with ME! I begin teaching my Adult Improv for Non-Actors class THIS week.

MOST Wednesday nights from 6 - 7pm

If you've EVER wanted to try improv. If you've ever wanted to get back up on your feet and PLAY again like you used to when you were a kid. If you want to learn techniques that will get your brain thinking in new directions, then please JOIN me!

Feel free to email me at michele@rentoncivictheatre.org for more information!

Here are the questions I get most often:

WHAT DOES THIS CLASS COST?
Nothing. This class is FREE to the public as an outreach of Renton Civic Theatre. I volunteer because this is the way I can give back to my community. However, donations to the THEATRE are hoped for, and gratefully accepted!

WHERE IS THE CLASS?
The class is held at Renton Civic Theatre 507 S. 3rd Street in Renton. That is the reason class is MOST Wednesday nights. On weeks when we have shows opening, then there is no class!

WHAT DO I WEAR TO CLASS?
Comfortable clothes. Whatever gives YOU complete range of motion.

WHAT DO WE DO IN CLASS?
Play improv games. And laugh, a lot.

CAN I JUST WATCH?
Nope. This is just about the ONLY thing I don't "yes, and . . ." You stay. You play. That's my motto and I stick to it. If there is someone sitting and watching, then the people onstage participating get uncomfortable/feel judged/cannot work . . .

CAN I JUST DROP IN FOR A CLASS AND SEE IF I LIKE IT?
Yup. Feel free. Just email me to make sure we're having a class that night.

I'M JUST NOT FUNNY, THIS CLASS IS ONLY FOR FUNNY PEOPLE, RIGHT?
Wrong! This class is for people who want to learn some new skills that they can apply to life (or stage). Being funny is NOT the purpose of this class. In fact, I quite often have to remind participants to stop TRYING to be funny.

You're the Inspiration

Last week, I wrote about getting physical and moving to PRODUCE something creative. But what about getting that first SPARK?

That first INSPIRATION??

That takes something different. In my world, that takes purposeful seeking.

Chicago (the band, not the city) once sang:  . . . you're the meaning in my life/ you're the inspiration/ you bring feeling to my life/ you're the inspiration

It must be GREAT to have a muse in your life that inspires everything but, just like a lot of other rock n' roll lies . . . YOU have to inspire YOURSELF! I find that the act of inspiration is just being OPEN to what is all around me.

On days when I feel like I need to jump-start my inspiration I find it by:

1. listening to a new radio station;
2. reading the newspaper, magazine or a favorite blog;
3. taking a walk;
4. doing my morning pages; 
5. playing with my kids;
6. watching a TV show I've never seen;
7. scanning through Twitter, Pinterest or Facebook;
8. grabbing my camera and going around the house or outside and taking photos;
9. looking through my old photo albums;
10. browsing the stacks at the local library.

Where do you find inspiration?

If you are waiting for it to come to YOU,  you'll never find it. You have to go out and LOOK for it!! 

How do you FIND inspiration?

THIS grad student might inspire you to do something amazing like his take-off on Queen's Bohemian Rhapsody . . .

Please Share

When we were growing up, the adults in our lives encouraged us to share our toys. Nowadays, in the world of Social Media, sharing is ALSO encouraged.

Yet very few people do it!

Why? Why not?

Here's the thing, if you're an artist, singer, dancer, musician, accountant, public speaker, stay-at-home-parent, work-from-home-parent, public official, doctor, dentist, nurse, customer service rep, whatever . . . . it won't DIMINISH what YOU do if you share the SIMILAR cool things that your friends/co-workers/peers are doing.

I know. I know. We're ALL busy. But, today is SUNDAY. Take an extra minute and while you're on Facebook or Twitter or Instagram or Pinterest or whatever . . . SHARE something cool that a friend of yours is doing! It will make you feel good. I think you'll also appreciate more the creative and wonderful things your friends do!

Try Something NEW

Saturday. Weekend. 

What do those words mean to you??

Relax? Chill? 

Or . . .

Housework? Yard Work?

Or . . .

Check work emails? Sit at the computer?

Here's TODAY's creative CHALLENGE:

WHATEVER you usually do on Saturday. Do something entirely DIFFERENT today. Do the exact OPPOSITE of what you usually do. See if it makes your life better. It's just ONE Saturday. One Saturday. If you hate it, then STOP. If you LOVE it, then you have a NEW and better Saturday routine.

(Feel free to share how the challenge goes for you!)

Child's Play

When I'm teaching my adult non-actor improv students. I often remind them that they USED to know how to improvise, they used to know how to PLAY.

The trick for adults, is reclaiming that joy of play - and SUPPORTING it in themselves and other adults!

To be VERY clear, I'm not talking about the reckless, destructive and hedonistic behavior that we KNOW our children (and some adults) indulge in from time to time. I'm talking about that childlike sense of wonder, imagination and creativity. That amazing world of anything-can-happen . . . that place of love and expression and CREATIVITY.

When kids play, they come up with things that I would never think of in a million years! I find their creativity endlessly INSPIRING. Just in the past two days, our daughter and her friends created an imaginary travel business, complete with gorgeous hand-drawn business cards and brochures. Our son built a "chipmunk house" out of a box, complete with Lego furniture. He placed it in the woods with seeds and snacks for the chipmunks to enjoy. See? That's SO creative and I'm HAPPY to encourage that CREATIVE behavior! (It serves a purpose, too, they are developing interests and passions that can lead to a wonderful, creative CAREER.)

If you have kids, I hope you ENCOURAGE that sense of play. I hope you supply them with encouragement and ART supplies and musical INSTRUMENTS and Legos and microscopes and costumes; in short WHATEVER they need to keep on PLAYING and CREATING.

Even MORE importantly, if you have friends, peers, or EMPLOYEES who still have that wonderful quality of PLAY please GIVE them the same encouragement and support as you would give a child. For, it is the CREATIVES who are going to change the world for GOOD with their inspiration, ideas and sense of WONDER.

And, at the very least if you cannot find it in your heart and soul to ENCOURAGE the adults in your life, in these CREATIVE pursuits, at least -I beg of you- do NOT actively DISCOURAGE them, just keep your thoughts to yourself. Seriously . . .

Do you feel encouraged or discouraged in your creativity? Who is your biggest champion? Who is your biggest critic? (TIP: Spend more time with your champion and less time with your critic!!)

Let's Get Physical

I am slipping into my alter-ego tonight and performing a PechaKuchu. Typically, I improvise, but, in this case, the "rules" of the PechaKuchu (pronounced Paw-chaw-kaw-chaw) require 20 images/20 seconds per image.

I'd known about this since JULY and had been kicking around ideas but, finally, it was time to get my ACT together and PRODUCE -build my speech and slide show- I had to get PHYSICAL.

I think a lot of people forget that the act of CREATING is often a PHYSICAL endeavor. Yes, I sat at the computer and started building the slide presentation. (Tip: always save often when you are building ANY type of presentation!!)

But, the CREATION of the slides, came to me FIRST while I was walking, driving, showering and working out at the gym!

I went about my day and did my stuff and ANY time my idea CRYSTALLIZED, I came back to the computer and dropped in a finished product. I went back and forth and probably threw OUT as many ideas/slides as I created but, I came up with a passable first version in this way.

I was happy with the results as I sat at my computer and rehearsed.

THEN, I went to the gym with an outline of my presentation in my Evernote (thank you, whoever invented this wonderful app.) and walked on the treadmill. Hard. I sweated it out and talked the presentation in my head.

This act of getting the presentation on its feet -literally- showed me the awkward spots. The slides I'd spent the most time on were the slides that were the ones that ruined the flow of the piece. So, I sweated and thought and worked.

Then, I came home and re-built the slide deck.

I'll walk it out again today, before I leave for the venue and make any necessary last minute tweaks. Then, it'll be showtime, I'll perform this piece and then drive home . . . thinking of all the ways I could do better next time.

Have you ever tried getting physical when you need ideas? What form of physical activity helps you think best??

I Read the News Today

Most days, I rise, do my morning pages -then I read the newspaper. I live in the Pacific NW. In addition to the national news of the most recent shooting spree by a mentally ill man there were local stories of:

• A mentally ill man who randomly stabbed and killed a man and injured the man's girlfriend;
• A mentally ill, high on drugs, man who stole a boat and rammed it into other boats, causing damage and nearly injuring a couple on their live-aboard boat (luckily he was stopped in time);
• A mentally ill, high on drugs, "bored" man who -after fighting with his wife, got into HER car and caused a fiery crash that killed a 22-year old.

On days like this, it is hard for me to let go of that sadness and step out into CREATIVITY.

But, I know that I cannot give in to the sadness. I cannot let sadness and evil (yes, I said evil) take over. 

I need to keep CREATIVE. I need to ENCOURAGE others to be creative. I need to make a POSITIVE difference in the world. So, I keep going. I keep on MY path and do what I do BEST which is CREATE and ENCOURAGE others to create as well. 

So, my friends, today, I choose to walk in CREATIVE altruism . . . I urge you to continue doing what YOU do best.

What do YOU choose? How do you COPE?

Bless This Mess

A recent ARTICLE in the NY Times shares the results of some interesting research:

PEOPLE ARE MORE CREATIVE IN MESSIER ENVIRONMENTS

This article got me thinking. I started wondering if that was true in my creative life. I must say, I tend to agree.

I have a "workshop" where I journal and paint and make messes. I've even started bringing my computer in THERE to write! I find that I feel MOST creative in this space. I clean it up periodically and then sit there, wondering what to do!! However there IS a point where it gets out of control and I cannot do anything either.

Like everything in life, I believe there is a balance. I like to have all my art supplies visible, out and handy; not too particularly structured or lined up but close at hand. That probably looks messy to a lot of people.

I can remember, years ago, when I was working at a big corporation, there was a VP who was completely frustrated by an employee's messy desk. This employee worked a job where he was expected to be creative. No one, but the VP, had complained about this employee's desk. Other workplaces have strict rules on the cleanliness of desks and/or the amount of personal items employees are allowed to have out in their space.

What do YOU think? Does a mess help you think more creatively?

Leaders? If you don't tolerate a "mess" but you expect creativity from your employees are you willing to entertain the notion that maybe your personal desire for tidiness might be at odds with the creative minds of your peers and direct reports?

Let's Get Critical

Face it. Critics are EVERYWHERE. No matter what you do, you will be criticized by SOMEONE. If you are doing something new, something different, something CREATIVE -at some point, you are going to be criticized. It is all part of putting yourself OUT there.

I wish I could remember WHO it was that gave me this piece of advice when I was a new-ish performer, but, this person said something so wise that the ADVICE has stuck with me for years, this person said, "Michele, if you believe the GOOD reviews, you're going to have to believe the BAD reviews, too. The truth is somewhere in the middle."

How do you handle criticism? Does it push you further? Or do you give up? Does it make you angry? Does it make you pull away? Does it make you sad? Does it hurt your feelings?

I'll be honest, criticism can -and has- caused me to do and feel ANY and ALL of those things!

Some days, we are stronger than other days. But, the one thing we can do is KNOW that we will be attacked by criticism at some point.

My advice?

Brace yourself . . . Figure out how you are going to cope BEFORE the criticism happens. Figure out the best way for YOU to fill your "BANK" of love an acceptance. When you need to, go to your bank and make a withdrawal.

Some things I do, I keep a file of all the nice emails that people have sent me about my work. I write down in my calendar any nice words that people say to me. I "pin" inspirational, motivational quotes that mean something to me to my Pinterest account. When I'm low, when I need to re-charge -I look at those things in my personal bank and it makes me feel better, it uplifts me.

But, my secret weapon is to I go out and fill OTHER people's banks. When I am feeling the MOST criticized (or am criticizing MYSELF) I reach out to others and write a note of encouragement or praise. It instantly stops me from getting wrapped up in my own personal junk and focusing on loving and praising others.

How do YOU  handle criticism? What techniques do you have that could help others?

Get Happy!

Research has shown that  the happiest people in the world feel like they belong to a community. Sunday is traditionally a day of rest; a day for family and community. So, my challenge to you today is to go out and INTERACT with your community!

I find that other people help me recharge my creativity, too. When I interact with others in a social setting  new ideas; new ways of thinking; and general silliness help me see the world in different ways.

Get off the internet right now and go interact with someone now!

Do Something COMPLETELY Different!

Its the weekend!

There's a great big beautiful world out there!!

This is aGREAT time to be creative! If you have the day off today, why not do something completely different?

Pick something from the list below that you've NEVER done before and then GO DO IT.

Feel free to offer suggestions, too . . .

1. Go to a garage sale, thrift store or antique shop and look at old stuff
2. Take a walk in a different neighborhood
3. Try a new restaurant or coffee shop
4. Get out in nature -visit the beach or the woods
5. Bake something you've never baked before
6. Read a book or watch a movie completely out of your usual preference/genres
7. Grab your camera and take pictures of everything you see
8. Paint a picture
9. Go to an event that you normally wouldn't go to
10. Write a poem
11. Play with Legos
12. Meditate
13. Try a new kind of exercise
14. Take a hike
15. Go to a museum
16. Talk in pig-Latin all day
17. Take a class
18. Try a new type of food
19. Balance your checkbook
20. Build a robot
21. Go spelunking
22. Write a letter
23. Start a journal
24. Make a collage of all your life dreams
25. Play an instrument
26. Go skating -ice or roller
27. Try a new sport
28. Watch a sporting event - live or on tv
29. Dress completely differently than you usually do
30. Draw with crayons
31. Play a game you've never played before
32. Shoot a video
33. Write a play
34. Call your oldest family member, just to talk
35. Call your youngest family member, just to talk
36. Plan your dream vacation
37. Volunteer
38. Write your TED talk, practice it in front of the mirror
39. Paint your face 
40. Paint your nails
41. Other - ADD YOUR ADVENTURE HERE!!

Inside the Box Exercise

Here's an exercise to go with my post on the idea of thinking INSIDE the box. This is especially designed for those of you who are struggling with ideas for a new career, hobby or passion in your life!

For those of you who like written steps, here it is, broken down for you:
1. Take a sheet of paper and draw a square;
2. Around the square, write all the "givens" about YOUR life, nothing is too insignificant -if you fill the page then tape some more paper and keep writing;
3. All the things you've written are your BOX. Notice that this exercise ALWAYS allows you to expand your box, there's always room to write MORE life experiences -as they occur;
4. The INNER square is where you get CREATIVE;
5. Taking into account all the items in your BOX -come up with creative ways you can use your past experiences and/or the "givens" in your life to come up with a new career, hobby or passion. Enlist the help of your TRUSTED friends and family to help you if you are having trouble.

Have fun unleashing creativity in your life and please share your results!!

What's Your Sign?

Don't worry, this page hasn't turned into an online dating site, I'm not talking about your ZODIAC sign, I'm actually talking about your BEHAVIOR. If you stopped and took a moment to scribble on a sign or a bumper sticker WHAT you were intending with your behavior, what would it say?

Make no mistake, behavior is like a huge, flashing neon sign to others. They see that non-verbal sign and make assumptions and judgements based on what they see. People react MORE to your behavior than your words. IF your words and behavior don't match up, then people have a harder time interacting with you in a positive way.

Guess what? BEHAVIOR is an OFFER in the improv of life.

It would be simpler if people were honest and upfront about their BEHAVIOR but most aren't because they aren't even AWARE of their behavior and how it impacts their world.

I was driving down the Maple Valley highway behind a guy in a dark blue Toyota Tacoma with a very simple, plain bumper sticker that read, "I tend to go the speed limit".

Extremely curious, I followed him for awhile to see if his behavior matched his "sign". I found out this guy was true to his word. He stuck to that speed limit, or a couple miles under. He stayed in the right lane and many people passed him on the left. This guy's bumper sticker - his sign- was very clear. And helpful. He spelled it out for other drivers before we had to figure it out by observing his behavior.

If ONLY everyone in life would be so transparent about their behavior.

Think about it . . . If you were on the road with "I tend to get distracted while I drive and float between the lanes", you'd been on guard, right? If you were passing "I tend to pick my nose when I drive" you could avoid looking over and seeing that gross-ness.

Taking that to the world, wouldn't you immediately know how to deal with the co-worker with the sign around their neck that read, "I tend to over-promise and under-deliver"?

Of course you would.  You'd probably steer clear of the new guy with the sign reading, "I tend to steal everyone's ideas and pass them off as my own".

Sigh. It would be grand if we could so quickly understand what was going on, what was being offered. 

But, most people aren't as self-aware as the guy in the Toyota Tacoma. The thing to remember is, that while you have to OBSERVE and LISTEN to fully understand what another person is offering with their behavior you have the CHOICE to be crystal-clear in YOUR behavior.

Just like someone with a clear sign on their car, or around their neck. If your BEHAVIOR matches your words. If your ACTIONS match your intent, people have an easier time understanding what is going on and how to best respond to what you are putting out there - to what you are OFFERING them in this big, ol' IMPROV of life.

By the way, what would YOUR sign -or bumper sticker say? 

Mine would say this:

NOTE: There are lots of great very physical improv games that are great at helping align idea/thoughts and behavior. 

The Improv of Life

Today is 9.11.2013.

Twelve years ago my husband and I had a 7 month old baby and a hopeful offer on a house. Then things changed drastically in the US.

Today, on Facebook, I see many different posts. They range from "Never forget" to prayers for peace to one that opines that it is unhealthy to remember.

That, my friend, is the great big IMPROV of life and I love it.

As my Mom used to say, "If everyone was exactly the same and thought exactly the way you did, the world would be a very boring place."

So true, Mom. I am GLAD we're all different. It certainly makes the improv of life INTERESTING!!

I LOVE it when we are all presented with a situation and there are as many ways to think about it and respond as there are people on this great, big, beautiful world. Every day -every moment- is an opportunity to participate fully in the world around us by accepting, and ADDING. The good ol' "yes, and . . . ".

(In case you were wondering, I fall somewhere between the "never forget" camp and the praying for peace camp.)

We used to sing this song when I was in grade school a zillion years ago. Seems fitting for MY mood today . . .

Change!

Did your gut wrench when you read my headline? Change. Change. Change. Change. Change. Change. Change. Change. Change. Are you sweating now?

Quick, tell me: WHAT frustrates you in your life? What isn't working?

Why don't you CHANGE it? When we get into a routine; a dull, painful pattern with no variation, it is easy to get stuck and frustrated. Yet, the funny thing is so MANY of us are CHOOSING pain.

In fact, we FIGHT to keep the pain and avoid the CHANGE! We get angry. We lash out at the people or situations that (we think) are trying to FORCE us into change. In other words, we do our best to BLOCK the change.

In an improv scene, a BLOCK is going to piss off your scene partner and bore the audience. In life, it causes other people to GIVE UP on you. 

To avoid change is to avoid CREATIVITY.

I get it, I really do. CHANGE is scary. Change is uncomfortable. We KNOW what we have. We DON'T know what change will bring.

Watch a kid. Kids are great at change. They are so tuned in to that creative part of their souls that will try just about anything (until an adult tells them it is scary, right?) A baby will try to walk and fall on her butt -and LAUGH about it! She'll keep CHANGING her tactics. She'll try new ways to walk. Walking for the baby is CHANGE. This baby UNDERSTANDS that CHANGE will bring her freedom and autonomy so she keeps at it until she finds success. And then, she moves on to the NEXT thing. The NEXT change!!

With complete confidence, I can tell you what change will bring:

CHANGE WILL BRING SOMETHING BETTER.

OR, SOMETHING WORSE.

The point is, you're going to be complaining about the SAME things tomorrow, next week, next year, -on your deathbed- if you don't make SOME kind of change. For better or worse. 

What is your great excuse for NOT stepping IN to your unique CREATIVITY and finding a way to CHANGE what you don't love about your life? What's your great excuse for NOT trying again if the first CHANGE didn't work out in a way you liked?

Start Talking!

Whenever I teach an improv for non-actors class, I always begin a new session asking, "What do you hope to accomplish? Why did you take this class?"

This is what I hear, over and over:

I want to have an easier time talking to people  -OR - I want to feel more comfortable around other people . . .

That is a GREAT reason to take practice improv!

Notice, I used the word "practice" because, like anything, you HAVE to DO something over and over and over and over and over (and over!) before you feel comfortable.

In the safe environment of improv class I lead a "CONVERSATION EXERCISE" that we practice weekly. I also send my students out into the world and ask them to strike up a conversation with someone they barely know. I challenge them to find that person they see-often-but-don't-know sitting alone at church; or at the PTA meeting; or in the break room at work and strike up a conversation.

Here are my conversation TIPS:

1. Keep it positive and light.

2. Observe body language, make sure the other person LOOKS open to a conversation (i.e. they're not busy juggling papers or kids or texting someone, etc).

3. Make statements (questions put the responsibility of the conversation onto the OTHER person).

4. LISTEN to what the other person says and comment on THAT.

5. Conclude the conversation at a natural stopping point.

FIND an opportunity to practice! That person in the break room at work who is standing alone, waiting for their microwave meal to "cook"? START TALKING to that person! Make a positive comment, "You're so smart to bring your lunch. I need to remember to do that more often."

If they just grunt at you, move ON.

If they reply, then keep the conversation going with statements ON TOPIC until their meal is cooked and then end the conversation with a, "Have a great day." or "It was great talking with you."

Try it. I hope you are surprised to find that you can learn a lot about people and build empathy and rapport by just opening your mouth when the situation presents itself!!

It might feel uncomfortable at first but -face it- it isn't any MORE uncomfortable than sitting in uneasy silence in a conference room with one other person, waiting for a meeting to start!!

Honoring the Super-Creative

Today, I opened my "Birthday" book and saw my friend Johnny's name. Johnny left us years ago, but, his name is still in my book and seeing it makes me smile.

Johnny was a human being with quirks and foibles and passions. He could charm and frustrate just like the BEST of friends.

But, his most defining quality was creativity. His entire BEING oozed creativity. He lived to the fullest of his creative potential.  

I think the best way we can remember the super-creatives, like Johnny, in our lives is to live OUR lives fully; to create DAILY. 

Here are some of Johnny's traits that we could all do well to add to our creative life:

• Dress with flair, add something silly or unique to your outfit every day
• Laugh often
• Live in the moment
• Jump in -feet first- to any new opportunity
• Share what you're passionate about
• Teach others
• Be generous with your time
• Nurture friendships