But what if there is no more work for me…

Maybe this angle has better light?

Maybe another room has better sound?

Do I remember everything I said in the video lessons?

Do I know my own workbook by heart?

I am preparing for my first Q&A session ever. The course for improv teachers is coming to an end and the students can ask me anything.

This part feels a bit like a test for me. Let’s hope I can give all the answers. I like being right.

In the call we are having a really great time. There are smart questions, good talks, and a helpful, positive vibe.

And then one of my students shares:

“Before the pandemic I was teaching a lot of improv. And I was also working real hard on using improv for people with dementia. All of that was going well, but then there was the lockdown. And I couldn’t do either of those. There was just no work anymore.

So I went online. I started to facilitate Werewolves games for companies. That seemed to be a good alternative.

But yesterday I was supposed to have 14 people from Google in that game, but 7 of them were ‘screen tired’. And probably more people are feeling like that.

I just feel a dark cloud over my head. If I cannot teach improv, cannot work with people with dementia and people are too screen tired for online workshops, does that mean I am out of work?”

BAM.

There it is.

A question to which I honestly do not know the answer.

I let it sink in. And then decide I cannot (and should not) solve it.

So I do what I can do. I talk about mindset.

“There will always be people saying: I don’t like the thing you are offering. It is not per se true that because these people that are screen tired, that there are no people wanting to take online workshops.

The market did not go from 14 people to 7 people. The size of the market is probably closer to 14 million people. Even if at some point it went to 7 million, there is still so much unfulfilled potential.

Adopt the abundance mindset: the idea that there is an unlimited amount of everything. To see what is possible you need hope, optimism and creativity. Right after half of the group cancelled your workshop, you don’t feel any of that. Give yourself a break that in this moment you are dealing with that dark cloud of yours.

Because yes, you are very allowed to feel frustrated. But don’t draw huge conclusions for your possibilities in this market.

There are people out there waiting for what you have to offer. And only you, with your specific talents and skills can find them.”

My student nods. She looks happy and relieved.

I am still pondering.

The thing is: I am only right if she believes it.

If she believes there are 7 million people waiting for her, she will find them. If she doesn’t, she will not.

Let’s hope she does.

(I like being right)