Lesson from Improv Comedy: Be Persistent!
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In the fast paced, quickly changing world of improv comedy, talking about persistence can sound very odd. Improv is described as "disposable theater," (as soon as a game is done, it's gone) so what does that have to do with persistence?
A few things, actually.
First off, 99% of the people who begin doing improv come in under the wrong assumption. They believe that improv is about being quick witted and funny and making jokes. Improv is not about these things; improv is really about retraining the mind to make different choices in the moment. These choices are often contrary to how people naturally respond (out of fear or from a desire to stay in their comfort zone), so almost everyone who learns improv has to have the persistence to drill and drill to retrain their minds to think improvisationally.
Second, from a performance standpoint, many people get the idea of the "one-shot-home run" in their heads. They believe that they need to start out with a great idea in order to create a great improv scene or game. This is not the case at all, but the performer needs the persistence to continue on with an idea that seems very basic.
Oftentimes in an improv comedy game, an idea is introduced that doesn't get the best response from the crowd. An inexperienced (or just bad) performer may panic and throw that idea away or introduce something completely new in hopes of improving things. This invariably creates confusion both on stage and with the audience. It creates a disjointed game that doesn't make anybody happy.
The experienced performer realizes that will a little persistence and "stick-to-it-iveness" that those offers can often lead to brilliant performance. It's only a matter of pushing through, trusting the process, and doing what he knows is right. When the performer does this, the result is usually a very solid game.
In life and in business, people are too often willing to throw in the towel when things don't work. Or they don't really get started until everything is right in place and the path is totally clear.
The path will never be totally clear, and things won't always work. The key is to persist in the face of these things, trust your process (whatever it may be) and do what you know to be right. The result will usually be something wonderful.
One caveat does need to be stated here: in life, as in improv comedy, there is a difference between being persistent and being foolhardy. I have seen improv scenes go on far longer than they should because the performers refuse to let go and move on. Sometimes mercy killing is a good thing!
The same rule applies in life. Sometimes you have to let go and move on, whether it's regarding a job, a relationship, or even a dream.
When I ran my own improv group, it was my dream. I wanted to make the group huge and successful and world famous. 6 years later, I decided it was time to close the doors and move on to other things. Was this because the group was failing financially or in any way? No, we were doing well. I just realized that the group had changed, my life had changed, and it was time to let go and move on. In retrospect, that decision could have been made earlier, but it usually takes longer than we'd like for realizations like that to sink in.
The nice benefit to letting go was that I discovered things that fulfill me even more then the improv group was. Sometimes you have to make space for new stuff to show up.
So how can you know whether you are being persistence or foolhardy? It's not always easy. The answer is to trust and listen to yourself.
Persistence is when you know deep down that you are doing the right thing for you and those around you. Foolhardy is when your ego is telling you not to give up because you will be a failure. Persistence is intelligent, foolhardy is stubborn.
The only way to make this distinction is to really be honest with yourself. Are you at a job that you don't enjoy because you honestly believe that it will get better once the "busy season" ends like everyone says, or are you hanging in there because you don't want to look for another job? Are you staying with someone because you honestly deep down believe they are right for you, or because you have a belief that you have to stick with them to be a good person (hint: if you're having these thoughts, that's a sign that the second is probably true!)
Understand the difference, and make to sure to persist in the things that are vitally important to you that you know is right, but let the other stuff go.
Avish Parashar is a dynamic professional speaker who shows organizations and individuals how to get what they want using the Art and Science of improv comedy. He weaves together humorous stories, witty observations, and interactive exercises from improvisational comedy to get people laughing, learning, and motivated! Avish is most commonly called upon to deliver programs on Motivation, Sales, and Communication
For more free articles, downloads, and resources, visit http://www.AvishParashar.com
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