I sincerely hope this past week was as fabulous for you as it was for me. I got to take my son to breakfast for his 22nd birthday, I bought a Christmas tree and I presented for my last conference of the year. It was a three hour virtual party with learning. We also met with our website company again. The refresh is in motion and on target.
Friday night I went to our local Improv club to watch a show. Also, I finally decorated the house to stir up a little Christmas spirit. Not that I didn’t already have it with Sonos blasting Brian Setzer, Mariah, MercyMe and so many more artist. Between random Spotify and Apple playlists, I have a diverse variety of Christmas music playing from the moment I wake up til I go to bed. I love it!
Monica, Sarah and I met on Friday before the final presentation. We reflected on what we’ve accomplished this year, talked through 2022 goals and imagined possibilities for where we go. I absolutely love this time of the year, for that reason. The freedom to believe that because the year is changing, so can we. Becoming something we’re currently not is a tough tough business.
As part of the messaging for this last session, I requested each person write down their least and most favorite attribute about themselves in 2021. Then had them imagine what would happen if they leaned purposefully into their favorite characteristic and magnified it in 2022. Our best strategy for becoming what we are not is to press hard into our greatest strengths.
What was YOUR best attribute in 2021?
It’s not an easy question. There are so many angles to consider. Not to mention, we often have blind-spots about our own being. The follow up question I did with the virtual audience was to gift each person on their team with a word THEY thought was that person’s best quality. Before the event we designed a beautiful spread sheet with each team members picture and a space to write a few words. After the event all the data is being collectedand a word cloud is being created for each person.
It’s not as thorough or intense as a 360 evaluation, but it certainly generates some thoughtful perspectives that can be a source of encouragement throughout 2022. What if these last two weeks of 2021 you sent out an email to those who know you, requesting a one word description of your finest character feature?
Whether you generate the words or someone else does, they are an invitation to continue on in that direction. That’s the essence of improv. One person’s made up line invites another person to contribute to the story from their own imagination.
Life is Improvisation
A lot of it can feel scripted. The responsibilities, routines and repetitiveness of work, home, family and each new day generally feel restrained. The patterns we function within define life. Veering too far outside of the normal constraints seems inaccessible or even inappropriate. Yet, stripped down to its essence, you and I are making up life every single day. We’ve just constructed parameters that enable habit systems.
It’s less risky, offers a sense of stability and affords met expectations.
I went to the improv club because I saw an ad about an eight-week class. I thought it might be an opportunity to strengthen my speaking skills. I’m still considering it, but it’s unlikely. I thought the individuals did a fine job. Unfortunately, I didn’t find myself interested when imagining spending two hours a week with them.
Instigating Ideas…
1. Get those goals on paper!
2. Give time to articulating your best trait.
3. Define how you can lean into it more intentionally.
Ironically, the more we acknowledge we’re making this life up daily, the weightier the responsibility becomes. You’d think it would create a greater sense of freedom? It doesn’t.
I’m sure you’ve heard the idea of changing your phrasing from “I have to” to “I get to“. It’s a gratitude perspective shift. However, alter “I get to” to “I choose to” and it becomes a personal decision – revealing we’re improv’ing constantly.