It's About Time

(Click the link to read the full scoop on THE RULES of improv.)

Today, let's improvise on TIME.

One of the hardest thing for ANY new improvisor is letting go of your own ideas and realizing that there an INFINITE number of ways any life-scene could go.

In the improv of life I see and experience a lot of strife due to thoughts/beliefs on time.

In a zillion different ways each day  OFFERS about time are made and whether you know it or not, you improvise with your own "yes, and . . ." (either verbally or in your actions). Here's just one little sample improv on the subject of time.

First Offer from the boss: Being on time for this meeting is crucial.

Player 1 "yes, and": I agree, that's why I always walk through that door exactly at the start of the meeting, to the minute.
Player 2 "yes, and": I agree, that's why I always show up 5 - 15 minutes early so I am ready to go with my iPad out, ready to take notes.
Player 3 "yes, and": I agree, and since I hate being the first person there, I always show up 5 - 15 minutes after the start time, there's always someone later than me -usually, I hate for my time to be wasted waiting for that last person, or having someone repeat what they just said for the latecomers.
Player 4 "yes, and" I have a meeting with the VP of Sales right before that meeting and she's long-winded and always goes over. I think I'd better switch that meeting so I'm not late for my bosses, meeting.

See what I did there? For every player in my game -just like every person in this world- there are different versions of being on time! The improv goes on from there. The boss wasn't specific, was he/she? Lookit how that opened up  a can of wormy-worms all because the boss didn't (or couldn't) express what "on time" MEANT. So many times in life, we start out with vague expectations and then are upset when the "players" in the game don't live up to our unspoken expectations.

Take Your Time

Quick! Raise your hand if you rush. (Can you see me with my hand raised, too?) We all do it. I find myself racing out the door all the time, late again! Late again!

But, then I read a news story about an impatient driver plowing into a crowd of people and I am humbled. That could've been me, rushing somewhere -thinking it was important- and realizing that nothing I've been rushing to is as important as another person's health and well-being. In the improv of life, the best "scenes" are the ones that are allowed to develop at a healthy pace.

Or,

I regret sending that email I rushed to write. My words could've been more carefully chosen. I realize I've hurt some feelings.

Or,

I rush to judgment. I don't see the full situation. I make assumptions. I get angry or agitated. I feel guilty and ashamed once I TAKE THE TIME to understand the full situation.

That isn't healthy for me or my creativity.

To generate creative ideas, to execute creative plans, to solve problems creatively, I need to slow down.

When I'm running an improv game,  I notice that participants often feel a need to RUSH their creative moments. I can see them mentally beating themselves up when they don't come up with something QUICKLY. Then, the other participants rush, too; anxious, they jump in with helpful suggestions.

Take your time, I say.

But still, I can see they FEEL rushed. They FEEL the anxiety of their fellow players.

Take your time.

Is what you're rushing to do REALLY urgent?
Or are you MAKING it urgent because you're in the HABIT of rushing?

All The Time and Money You Need

What are your dreams/goals? What would you do if you had all the time in the world to achieve your dreams? What would you do if you had all the money in the world to achieve your dreams?

Is it really money or time stopping you? What would you do if you BEHAVED as IF you had all the time and money you needed to achieve your dreams? Most people think they don't have the time or money to start their dreams.

I think there's a great power in just starting something. In just taking that first step. I have many friends who went to college in their later years and started new careers. Those heroes of mine realized that the time would pass anyway and so they just began; when they became committed, they solved the money part, too.

A lot of businesses spend a TON of time planning things. But, all the planning in the world cannot predict the future. Cannot predict what will happen next. Amazing things happen in our lives and horrible things happen in our lives. The only thing that is certain is to hold on to a vision and BEGIN to work towards it.

When I asked "If you had enough time/money, what would you do" on Facebook a year or so ago, the people who responded had very simple and lovely dreams, I got answers like:
I'd have a vegetable garden
I'd exercise more
I'd write a book

Those things are SO achievable in my mind, but in the mind of my respondents, they weren't. They were paralyzed and couldn't begin; couldn't start. When you look at those goals, think of how YOU would begin them . . . the funny thing is, as I look at those, just 15 minutes a day could make a difference. Weeding and planting for 15 minutes before or after work daily would start a garden. Exercising 15 minutes before or after work; walking on break -or lunch would start an exercise plan. Writing for 15 minutes a day would start a book. It's NOT really time and money that you need, it is just that you need to begin,  you need to start working toward your dream today . . .

I'm a huge fan of Jon Acuff and he's just launched his "START" book. Here's a little video that might inspire you today to start working on your dream: 

Everyone Needs a Break

I didn't post last week. I was on vacation. I timed my vacation to coincide with the school district's mid-Winter break. I didn't do anything fancy, but I was able to spend time with family and friends. Just by unplugging (no classes, no blog posts, no LinkedIn) I was able to really relax and fall into unique experiences. We went to the zoo with a friend who used to work there and was able to give us amazing insight into the animals and their behavior; afterwards we had lunch in a great little spot and wandered through the most amazing store in the world: Archie McPhee. The kids and I took the light rail and then a streetcar to get to the new location of the Museum of History and Industry it took 3 times as long to travel this way but we had TIME together. We pulled out rubber stamps and stickers and pens and journaled in the evening about our days. We talked. We played. Downtime is important for everyone. Are you able to relax and rest and unplug when your vacation hits? Or do you feel like it will negatively affect you at work if you don't check in everyday and respond to emails immediately? Sometimes the bravest thing you can do is say, "I'm completely unplugging, I'm not answering work emails or texts this week."