I saw my first improv show back when I was in college at Northeastern in Boston. We'd trek to the North End to catch the late night show at Improv Asylum and each time, without fail, laugh our bums off.
Fast forward 5 years, I'm living in Norfolk, Virginia and spending my days as a Head Project Manager + Writer at Your Hot Copy. At the beginning of the year, I set some goals and declared that this would be the year I took an Improv class.
Why Improv? Lots of reasons.
The players all seemed to be having an awesome time. Getting on stage and making everything up as you go seemed scary as hell, but why let fear lead?
That little whispering intuitive voice in my head was telling me to (and that voice is pretty damn smart).
Because being self-employed can be LONELY. AS. HELL. But it doesn't have to be. Taking a class that allows you to interact with others and be silly is a brilliant remedy for self-employed blues.
Ultimately, I chose to take Improv at Push Comedy Theater because I thought it would be fun. Little did I know it would teach me all sorts of business lessons, too.
- Follow the fun. When you're lost and not sure what to do next on stage, the rule of thumb is to follow the fun. And let's be real, if you're not enjoying your work, what's the point of being self-employed? Figure out what would be the most fun and satisfying for you to help others, DO THAT, the money will follow.