I used to dabble in the Entertainment Industry sphere, and as an actor, one of the important skills to have on my resume was improv comedy.

Casting directors (the people who essentially hire actors for commercials, TV, film, etc.) have much more trust in an individual who can think quickly on her feet, and improv is a great tool for building comedic agility.

Having never taken an improv class prior, I signed up for the beginner’s session at Second City (mind you, with great trepidation).

I ultimately had the time of my life, but what really surprised me was the number of “regular” folks who were my classmates… lawyer, marketing executive, CEO and even a chef. The non-actors really just wanted to get better at handling social situations; they had no interest in breaking into the “biz.”

As a comedian and actor, Katie Goodman, author of Improvisation for the Spirit, understands how the tools of improv can be used in daily life. Katie recently joined Dr. Taz to explain how she uses improv to help individuals break bad habits, get unblocked, spark joy, and deal with their inner critics.

We could all use a little help in those areas, don’t you think?

The basis of her methods is to allow you to use both your right and left brain at the same time and thus uncensor yourself, so you can have access to all the creative “goodies.” But, you’re also picking and choosing which direction you’ll head in a rational manner.

Certainly, not every minute of every day can be filled with laughter and inspiration, but once you begin to practice trusting in yourself and being able to take creative risks, you’ll find that you’re more alive, aware and spontaneous.

Your creative practice doesn’t have to be improv, either. It could be pottery, painting, woodwork… anything that’s of a creative note.

A very important portion of Katie’s message is to help you gag your inner critic. At one point, this inner voice was benevolent (trying to keep you “safe”). Now, it’s just keeping you from joy and fulfillment; speaking to you in negative self-talk. For example, “Don’t ask that person out on a date, you’ll just get rejected” or “Don’t apply for that job, you’ll never get it.”

You need to retrain your inner critic to be your inner coach. Assign an image and a name if that helps. The voice should be non-judgmental and speak to you in neutral language. “Last time you applied for a job, you weren’t really prepared… what can we do to get you ready to rock it this time?”

This was such a fun episode for me to highlight, because it paired something from my “old” life with advice for everyday survival. I encourage you to take a listen.