Improv ideas for life

While learning the art of improvisational theatre over the past few years, I've come to realize that many of the skills practised in improvisation are applicable and directly transferable to other areas of life, whether it be the work arena or your personal life. I'm sure many improvisors have already figured this out. I'd like to share my observations with you. I hope these mantras can positively influence your experience and help make life better.

What I have collected is too big for one post, so I'll split it up and post each idea on a different day. Today's topic is:

Embrace failure - reject fear

Our society generally teaches us that failure is bad. "Failure is not an option." Not only do we spin a negative context onto failure, but we relish observing others in their failures - witness the popularity of reality competition TV shows like Idol. This is why the first lesson all improvisors learn is the hardest - failure is not to be feared, it is to be embraced - with a smile - even a cheer. There are so many reasons why. We learn from failure. Failure creates an emotional experience, so the lessons we learn stick. Going through failure narrows down the possible approaches to success. Fear of failure stops us even sooner than failure itself. Failure strengthens character. We bounce higher than we fall. Know that with each effort, you grow a little stronger. Taken in the proper context, failure inspires us and others. Becoming more comfortable with failing enables you to take more risks. Failure is better than regret - not trying at all leaves us wondering 'what if?'. Failure leaves us open to better opportunities. Without an awareness of the big picture, it's easy to perceive failure as misfortune. Failure makes eventual success seem sweeter.

Life is too short to be imprisoned by fears – fear of rejection, failure, embarrassment – these fears only hold back your true potential. Nobody has time for your fear, especially you.

"I have not failed. I've just found 10,000 ways that won't work." ~Thomas Edison
"Our business in life is not to succeed, but to continue to fail in good spirits." ~Robert Louis Stevenson
"The men who try to do something and fail are infinitely better than those who try to do nothing and succeed." ~Lloyd Jones