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Relax, We’re All Just Making This Stuff Up!: Using the tools of improvisation to cultivate more courage and joy in your life
What if I told you that you would be happier and more confident if you planned less and made stuff up more?
The tools improvisers use to create wonderful—and often hilarious—scenes on stage are easily transferred off the stage and into real life. These tools have changed my life completely, and I want to share that with you.
In this book, you’ll find some of our favorite improv exercises as well as real-life examples of how our students’ mind-sets and lives have grown and become ultimately fulfilling through practicing improvisation.
This book was not written for natural-born performers, comedians, or people with “talent.” It’s for everyone, including introverts like you and me. (Yes, I’m an introvert at heart.)
If we aren’t happy with our lives, not much else matters. I want to see you living the life you are meant to live, now. I want you to experience true happiness; and practicing improvisation is the most enjoyable, and fun, way to get there.
The tools improvisers use to create wonderful—and often hilarious—scenes on stage are easily transferred off the stage and into real life. These tools have changed my life completely, and I want to share that with you.
In this book, you’ll find some of our favorite improv exercises as well as real-life examples of how our students’ mind-sets and lives have grown and become ultimately fulfilling through practicing improvisation.
This book was not written for natural-born performers, comedians, or people with “talent.” It’s for everyone, including introverts like you and me. (Yes, I’m an introvert at heart.)
If we aren’t happy with our lives, not much else matters. I want to see you living the life you are meant to live, now. I want you to experience true happiness; and practicing improvisation is the most enjoyable, and fun, way to get there.
- GenresHumor
138 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 5, 2016
15 people are currently reading
30 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
March 20, 2022
I picked this book up from a little book library because I thought it was a life self help book lol. Turns out it was actually about improv (acting) but with a tie to how to apply to life. Imma try. I enjoyed this easy, short read.
April 23, 2022
This was a little free library find! Can easily finish this in less than a day.
This book is about how to apply the rules of improv to every day life. A couple of my favorite lessons:
1. "Bring a brick, not a cathedral." You don't need a fully formed plan, just start with a small idea or action
2. "We learn far more from our mistakes and failings than we do from our successes.. The more mistakes we make the more gifts we get."
This book is about how to apply the rules of improv to every day life. A couple of my favorite lessons:
1. "Bring a brick, not a cathedral." You don't need a fully formed plan, just start with a small idea or action
2. "We learn far more from our mistakes and failings than we do from our successes.. The more mistakes we make the more gifts we get."
September 4, 2016
Great in all aspects of life
She really makes the improv experience come alive. What I particularly liked was the continual application to real life. Yes, and so much more.
She really makes the improv experience come alive. What I particularly liked was the continual application to real life. Yes, and so much more.
May 20, 2020
This is the perfect book for those intrigued by improv who have not yet taken the leap to try improv. If you are nervous about trying improv, read this book! I wish I had read it years ago. It captures the essence of improv, why so many fall in love with it, how it impacts lives offstage, and how it ultimately changes your life.
December 22, 2024
HIGHLIGHTS:
1. We have no idea what the outcome will be when we follow our instincts. Being honest, raw, and vulnerable with others makes for a delightful comedy.
2. Bold choices require risk-taking. Let your ideas out to play. Make bold choices, sticking to your point of view, and letting go of the things that do not serve you.
3. Ensemble: Finding your ensemble is a crucial step toward finding joy. When you help draw out and support other members of your ensemble, they are proud to lift you in return. Support allows us to take risks. Raise everyone. Let others help you. It is impossible to discover the full extent of yourself by yourself.
4. Improvisers focus on embodying real characters and exploring genuine relationships. They practice being vulnerable and speaking openly. They pay rapt attention to the details because that is where the inspiration lies.
5. Gifts: Choosing a gift means accepting your role as the master of your own story.
6. We love simple moments of truth.
7. Embrace change and add your contribution. Make choices and build on them.
8. Mistakes and failures: it is when we are knocked down that we learn the most about standing up. We stop trying to be perfect.
9. Take opportunities to initiate ideas and action as often as you stand ready to offer support for them.
10. When you have done something that took courage and someone wants to share the joy you created for them by your actions, please permit yourself to take the applause in whatever form it appears.
1. We have no idea what the outcome will be when we follow our instincts. Being honest, raw, and vulnerable with others makes for a delightful comedy.
2. Bold choices require risk-taking. Let your ideas out to play. Make bold choices, sticking to your point of view, and letting go of the things that do not serve you.
3. Ensemble: Finding your ensemble is a crucial step toward finding joy. When you help draw out and support other members of your ensemble, they are proud to lift you in return. Support allows us to take risks. Raise everyone. Let others help you. It is impossible to discover the full extent of yourself by yourself.
4. Improvisers focus on embodying real characters and exploring genuine relationships. They practice being vulnerable and speaking openly. They pay rapt attention to the details because that is where the inspiration lies.
5. Gifts: Choosing a gift means accepting your role as the master of your own story.
6. We love simple moments of truth.
7. Embrace change and add your contribution. Make choices and build on them.
8. Mistakes and failures: it is when we are knocked down that we learn the most about standing up. We stop trying to be perfect.
9. Take opportunities to initiate ideas and action as often as you stand ready to offer support for them.
10. When you have done something that took courage and someone wants to share the joy you created for them by your actions, please permit yourself to take the applause in whatever form it appears.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews