“Forever trust in who you are. Nothing else Matters.” – Metallica
Last fall I took an Improv class with the legendary Jimmy Caranne called “The Art of Slow Improv”. The whole idea behind the class was to learn how to be quiet and slow down … so you can find the “game” in the scene faster and learn how to connect with your partner so your scene work will be more grounded and real.
Bottom line … It was all about learning how to shut up, listen and be yo’self.
At first this terrified me … for me I love playing characters and becoming someone else on stage. The thought of putting my actual self up there with all my vulnerabilities … scared the shit out of me.
However, that’s what makes good Improv … because 90% of Improv laughter is recognition … meaning that you are are laughing because you get it … because it’s real to you … because you’ve been there. It’s the realness that makes you pee your pants laughing.
The class was 8 weeks long. It was incredible. I learned how to slow down. How to “shut up”. And that by just being MYSELF … I was funny … I was relate-able … and I was enough.
Here we go … another life my peeps!
In life … in business … at home … with your family … at work … being your true, authentic self is the most honest and BRAVE thing you can do.
I’ve put together my top 7 “be authentic self” guidelines that should help keep you on track:
- Define yourself on YOUR terms – you can’t be yourself if you don’t know, understand, and accept yourself first. So first take the time to figure this out. Once you have defined your core values and terms, surround yourself with people who feel the same way, and build you up.
- Stop caring what others think – Ignore the haters. Some people will like you and some won’t. It’s ok. It’s pretty much impossible to be yourself when you’re constantly wondering “Do they think I’m funny? Does she think I’m fat? Do they think I’m stupid? Am I good/clever/popular enough to be a part of (insert the life situation.)” To be yourself, you’ve got to let go of these concerns and just be you!
- Let go of the past – One of the most unhealthy approaches to being yourself is to make a decision that who you are is defined by a moment or a period of time in the past. Allow yourself the space to grow, to improve, to become wiser from it. Also allow yourself to forgive past behaviors you’re not so proud of. Work on accepting mistakes and choices you’ve made; they’re done and in the past. Move on!
- Chill – Be cool. Relax. Keep Calm and Carry on baby. Whatever mantra you need, repeat it. Stop obsessing that the worst will happen. The story is already written. Go out and enjoy it!
- Be your own BFF – You value your friends and those close to you right?! Well, who is closer to you than you? Give yourself the same kind, thoughtful and respectful treatment that you give to other people you care about.
- Express yourself – Be it your style, the way you talk or your way of doing something … if it strays from the mainstream and produces positive outcomes, then be proud of it. Be a character, not a type. Learn to communicate well – the better you can express yourself, the easier it is for the people who like you as you are to find you and the ones who don’t to just steer clear.
- Stop comparing yourself to others – You will never be happy if you keep doing this and it’s exhausting. Love who you are … flaws and all. Stop wasting minutes and days of this precious and short life wanting to be someone you are not, when who you are is perfect and enough!
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