Sad to say, but my eight weeks of improv classes ended a couple weeks ago. It started off as a reason to do something fun with my friends, but it turned out to be an activity I’d encourage anyone to take. Not because you all have dreams of being a stage performer, but because the lessons that you learn can be applied off the stage. Here are the lessons:

Be clear. One of our warm-ups included throwing and catching an imaginary dagger to others in a circle. It’s difficult for someone to know whether or not you’re throwing the imaginary dagger to him or her because it’s not actually there. So in order to be clear, you have to make eye contact with the receiver.
How to apply this to your life: In order to get what you want in life, be clear about it. Not only is it honest, but it’s also harder for someone to confuse what you’re asking for because it’s concise. Be polite and professional and you’re on your way.

Yes, and… This was an exercise that was used when we were improvising a scene. Whatever someone says, your task is to say, “Yes, and…” continue with another thought. Doing this allows ideas to be taken seriously, which in turns helps build the scene.
How to apply this to your life: Something that kills a brainstorming session more than anything else is rejection. If a bad idea is rejected, a good idea cannot stem from it because the momentum won’t be there. Plus, it puts a damper on the environment.

Let disparagements roll off your back. This exercise involved one person saying something mean about their partner. Our instinctual response is to be defensive, but the tension that builds up will quickly kill a scene. Instead, accept it. Play with it. The scene will probably end up being a lot funnier.
How to apply this to your life: Applying this in life is pretty much the same as in an improv scene. When someone criticizes you or tries to put you down, try to roll with it. They won’t expect it, and you’re less likely to take it personally if you can make a joke out of it.

Listen. Not a particular exercise, but in order for a scene to progress, it’s important for the performer to listen to what others on stage are saying. This also includes picking up on their body language too. That way you’re not just focused on what you’re doing, but what is happening around you as well.
How to apply this to your life: This one seems like a no-brainer, but we often forget to listen. I’ll admit that when someone is talking, sometimes I’ll be more focused on crafting what I’m going to say next rather than just listening. But if we learn to listen, we learn to understand. And when there’s understanding, then there’s peace.

Stay committed to yourself. One important lesson is that you should stay committed to yourself and your actions. There were plenty of times when I said something in a scene and in my head I went, “you IDIOT”. But what was said has been said, so I had to work with it. More often than not, the scene went well.
How to apply this to your life: It’s difficult to take something back that you regret saying or doing. But it’s been done already, so don’t be so hard on yourself and learn from it. You chose do say or do something for a reason, and that reason at some point made sense to you or else there is no way your brain would allow you to do it. Be confident in your decisions and keep your eyes looking forward.

Props to Kevin P. Robbins for his encouraging teaching style.
Interested in taking a class? Check out Impatient Theatre Co.