Barbara Homann | In-between Successes Welcome Barbara Homann | In-between Successes

Improv(e) Your Life No Mistakes Here How the Five basic rules of improv help job seekers overcome the freak-out stage and Support a New Path to success.

Improv(e) Your Life Inventory Acceptance and Attitude Responsibility and Fear The Power of Networking Authenticity and Immediacy Reinvent Yourself

Inventory Resentment Blame Company Blame Boss Blame Co-workers Blame Myself Bills…

Inventory Anger Frustration Doubt Depression

Inventory Did you see it coming? How can you turn it around? To your advantage? 1-Did you want to leave anyway? Were you in the process of looking for another job when this occurred? 2-The big question is, how can you turn this around to your advantage? 3-You want to get back on your feet, and begin to see a new life for yourself

Rule # 1 Yes, and…

Yes, and…Basics Take a scene anywhere your partner wants, without disagreeing, interrupting or manipulating (“Yes, …”). Accept the scenario as it is presented to you, and then add to it (“and”…). Most important rule of improv – the basics to all Give audience 2 examples: Start with Yes! “Freeze, I have a gun!” Bad response: “No you don’t, that’s your finger.” Good response: “The gun I gave you for your birthday?” Now build on! Actor : “I can’t believe it’s so hot in here.” Bad response: “Yeah, whatever!” Good response: “I told you we shouldn’t have crawled into this dog’s mouth.” Example based on Tina Fey in her book “Bossypants”

Acceptance & Attitude Accept an idea or situation Replace ‘but’ with ‘and’ Change your attitude

Acceptance & Attitude Yes, I am in-between successes, AND I have an opportunity to create a new career path. Colorful and creative choices

Acceptance & Attitude If you don’t like something, change it. If you can’t change it, change your attitude. - Maya Angelou

Rule # 2 Act/React

Act/React Basics Contribute Be courageous Follow your instinct Act now See what happens The core belief is that everyone on stage should always be working to contribute to the scene - Vague open-ended questions won’t get the conversation/situation moving. Be courageous and follow your instinct. Don't wait for the "right" moment, act now and see what happens

Responsibility & Fear Step outside your comfort zone No - hold back | be passive | let others do the work Yes - be active | be bold | take risks |speak up, say what is in your heart and mind

Responsibility and Fear Take Responsibility Fight Fear

Make your Partner Look Good Rule # 3 Make your Partner Look Good

Make Your Partner Look Good - Basics Everyone is a supporting actor Offer suggestions They will do the same for you Everyone is a supporting actor. Perfect Relationship – always support one another. Offer suggestions when someone seems to run out of ideas and gets stuck - they'll do the same for you when you get stuck.

The Power of Networking Support one another “How can I assist you?” Servant Leadership Trust and Commitment

Rule # 4 Be Truthful

Be Truthful - Basics Default - stay in character and be honest No hiding behind pat answers Take the lead

Authenticity and Immediacy Be truthful and honest No hiding behind memorized lines You know yourself best Write your own resume, elevator speech. Don’t hide behind fancy words. Don’t memorize lines, talk about YOU!!

Authenticity and Immediacy You are the real deal.

Rule # 5 No Mistakes Here

No Mistakes Here - Basics Don’t worry Everything is incorporated Work around and with what others offer Trust that you pull it together Don’t worry about making mistakes. Everything is incorporated – all gets acted and reacted to. Work around and with what others offer. Trust that you pull it somehow together.

Reinvent Yourself Many paths toward the goal Fix mistakes on the go Do the best you can – in the now There is not one path leading to that one goal.

Reinvent Yourself The rewards of spontaneity and risk-taking outweigh those of staying safe and put

Get out of your comfort zone Reinvent Yourself Get out of your comfort zone Reinvent yourself

Realize that today is the beginning of a whole new adventure Try becoming a better improviser while in transition and ultimately of your own life. People, actions and reactions come at you, and your job, as a good improviser, is to get out of your head, give up control, change your attitude, trust your instincts, be honest, be generous, look out for others and know that they are looking out for you. Do the best you can, enjoy what you can. Know that your next adventure, your next success, your next job is just around the corner. Realize that today is a whole new adventure. Conclusion

Thank you Barbara Homann