Be Silly and Goofy

My boys are taking a trip with their high school band to Southern California. Last night, we had an informational meeting for students and parents.

As we’re coming up on the starting time, parents and students are filing in and seeing no seats are available. Other parents, students, and I immediately turn to the rack of chairs and start adding them to the band room.

Here’s the catch: we’re all the way on the other side of the room. Those coming in and lining up at the door can’t see the available chairs.

I take action! I start holding up four fingers in the air, like an usher at a wedding to show that I have four seats available over here. I get a big chuckle from parents around me, as well as the band director at the front of the room.

Next to me is some percussion instrument with two mallets on it. I pick them up and start waiving them toward the empty seats, much like an attendant on an airplane or the guy on the tarmac showing the pilot which way to go! More laughs.

I like being “that guy.” The one that steps up, can be counted on, and almost always finds a way to get a laugh, chuckle, or smile.

I wasn’t always like that. I went through a period when I was concerned what others may think. Even worse, I had a voice in my head that would say “don’t do that. It’s stupid. People will think you’re a dork.” (Well, I am…!) I would listen to that voice.

That voice never goes away. However, we can take steps to take away its power. When we study improv, we learn to withhold judgement: judgement of our scene partner’s ideas and, more importantly, judgement of ourselves and our ideas. That withholding of judgment gives us the strength, the courage, to take risks and try something new. The permission to be silly or goofy and silence that judge-voice. Sometimes, it results in hilarious comedy. Sometimes, it falls flat. Sometimes, we end up directing people where to sit in a crowded band room.

My challenge for you today is this: recognize that judge voice in your head and give yourself permission to ignore it and do something silly or goofy. Bring a moment of levity.

If you’re curious about improv and its transformational power, interested in working with an improv-coach, or just want to learn more, let me know. I’ll be more than happy to discuss!