Lean into the discomfort. Ugh. Do I have to? Won’t it just go away?
I went to an Improv class tonight. It was a closet dream I’d had for years. My mind knew it might be scary, but my yearning won over today. I went through all the spectrum of emotions once I got settled and started to realize what I got myself into. At first the enthusiasm was still strong, the expectancy of something new. Once I started to swim, I realized how deep the water was, that I couldn’t quite touch the bottom anymore. All my comfortable, familiar landing places were gone. And then the exercise would end, and we’d take our seats again. Phew, my emotions could land, resettle.
Talking with another participant afterwards, we were able to reflect on our experience. Sometimes we are in deeper water than we can handle, we’re uncomfortable. We might get the timing off, or just can't think of something quick enough. Obviously it can be embarrassing to perform something new in front of others. We might even fall flat. And then… the exercise ends. In Improv, failure doesn’t last long. You’re full on into the next exercise before you can begin lamenting where you went wrong. While life lessons usually occur much more slowly, time often heals old disappointments, especially if we're deep into the next venture.
All the excitement, fear, stumbling, leaping, exhilaration, success and disappointment of trying something new happened in a matter of minutes. It helped me see how much more fulfilling success really is when there is something to lose. When I do something safe it may be pleasant, but there’s no edge. There’s no exciting twist to the plot. When I do something that takes a little courage, it reminds me that I’m all in. There’s no autopilot, no falling asleep at the wheel. I feel alive.
Failure is just a part of it. It makes us stay in the game. Someone famous somewhere asked, “What kind of shit sandwich are you willing to eat?” Failure brings this question to the forefront. It narrows our focus. Failure lets us regroup before jumping into the deep end again. This time, we may have a clearer goal, a more refined strategy, or frankly, are willing to eat some of that sandwich if it means we'll get there.
Courageously Yours,
Isabel