Are You Motivated?

Many years ago I worked in a Women’s gym as a fitness instructor. Over and over when I would ask women why they hadn’t been in to the gym in a while they would say ‘I just couldn’t get motivated’. I ended up saying to them ‘I used to think I had to be motivated to go to the gym, but now I know I need to go to the gym to be motivated!’

Afterwards I had quite a few women thank me for saying that to them, as every time they weren’t motivated, they would say it to themselves and get to the gym. Another catchphrase I used to use was ‘how many times have you gone to the gym, done a workout and then regretted it?’ And the answer of course was hardly ever, or never.

Improv is the same- I often think of it as the BRAIN GYM!
And the same rule applies!
You don’t need to be motivated to go to improv, you get motivated because you go to improv!

I have been hearing a disturbing trend recently of people thinking they ‘aren’t in the right headspace’ or ‘I would just bring everyone else down’ or ‘I feel a bit depressed’ or ‘I’m not in form’ or ‘I don’t have energy’ or ‘I’m not funny or quick enough’.

It makes me sad because I know Improv gives you energy!
It also makes me sad because peeps think they need to pretend to be happy/ok/doing well to do improv but you don’t need to pretend, you just need to be you!

If I asked these people have they ever gone to improv and regretted it they would say ‘of course not!’

Even the most tired, scared, anxious, depressed, even ill players have all felt better after a dose of laughter and the unconditional positive regard of the group. Improv’s YES AND can really help us accept ourselves as we are and realise we don’t always need to present like ‘we got it all together’. We can be scared, odd, weird, lethargic, lazy, boring, crazy, ordinary, unhappy, sad and it is all ok.
It is even ok to do half the class if you really can’t manage the whole thing. :)

Know this: gaining confidence, being in a space of creativity, laughing, being playful, having fun, playing and connecting with others and allowing yourself to be free from judgement is not only good for your health, mood, and well-being but, just like exercise, imperative to a well lived and healthy life.

Only this last week I got back from being away and I was super tired. I realised I had an improv rehearsal with a friend and was thinking of cancelling, but I knew it would give me the energy I was missing. And so even though the scenes were of a lower energy than I would usually do I had fun and a good laugh (as always) and (as always) I didn’t regret it one bit! :)

It’s kind of like my husband says every time he has a salad….lol. ‘I never think to have a salad for a meal but when I do I really enjoy it!’ It is a strange thing that very often we have resistance to the things that are actually the best for us!

I know I definitely need to eat more salad and do more exercise…lol… but at least I know I am getting my weekly dose of fun, laughter and playfulness and exercising that brain of mine at the most fun gym of all! IMPROV!

What stuff that is good for you are you not doing?
What are you putting off that you know would be good for your physical, mental or emotional health?
When would NOW be a good time to change that! YES AND……

Did you know?
You can do improv online at Improv Hub? You can do a group class or a 1:1 if you don't feel confident enough to do the group thing yet!
Check it out: https://www.improvhub.com.au/coaching.html
You don’t need any experience to join, and you don’t even need to be motivated to leave the house!
You will be having fun and learning new skills right from the comfort of your own home!

It’s time to get motivated in your life! Do some improv!