A Confidence Booster for Teaching Improv
Hey you,
Could you use a little boost for your confidence? Whether you are an experienced, beginning or aspiring improv teacher, I am here to serve :)
Read it now, and start applying some of the small steps. But definitely bookmark or save it somewhere, for times when you particularly need it.
At the end I even have a free download for you!
Why do you need confidence?
Why would you want to be confident as a teacher? Isn’t confidence making you a douchebag less approachable?
I truly think it is not. To me confidence creates a space where you are not occupied with your own thoughts (“Should I do this?”, “What will they think of me?”). But instead you have all your attention available for your students. Confidence turns ‘me-me-me’ into ‘all of you including me’.
Improv is thrilling: we play with both the fun and the fear of the unknown. That means that the people in our class regularly feel that too: a little scared, a little excited. When you as a teacher show confidence, it makes students more okay with feeling afraid or unsure. ‘This teacher seems to not worry that I feel like this. So I guess I will be alright’ Showing competence relaxes those wanting to learn.
Therefore it is not egocentric to work on your confidence. Our students need us to be.
How to feel more confident?
You are not perfect and -sorry, spoiler- you will never be. If you ask me, it all starts with learning to accept that fact. The more you strive for perfection, the more you will be confronted with the fact that -sorry again- you are not flawless.
The secret to feeling more confident is not gaining more knowledge, experience or degrees. You will feel more confident when you feel more okay with you, exactly how you are. (Sometimes we learn through study/experience that we are go-getters, great! But if you don’t accept yourself for who you are, no diploma will fix that.)
When I get insecure, my thoughts will put me in a tailspin. The cure to this: less focus on the brain, more focus on what is already there. Or: mindfulness. This does not have to be meditation (though it definitely can!).
To do in the moment
Here are some easy ways to be in the here and now, instead of in your negative spiral:
Take a deep breath. Or even better 3. (You would be surprised how much I have underestimated this one. I assure you, try it)
Drink a glass of water. (same)
Take a tour of your senses: what is a thing you see, a thing you hear, a thing you smell, a thing you feel and a thing you taste.
Sing or hum a song .
Dance it out. Ugly dance, preferably.
Move in some way. A walk for instance.
Speak or write out your thoughts.
Feel your heartbeat.
Just pick one that speaks to you.
To do from now on
On the longer term, here are some great habits that can build confidence. Again, just choose one that feels fun and doable.
Start a collection of nice things people have said / written about your teaching. Can be digital or on paper, as long as you can access it in need.
Practice gratitude. For instance by writing down 1 thing you are grateful for every day.
Stretch your comfort zone in another area. You would be surprised what learning to run can do for your sense of achievement.
Accept compliments. But also: start asking a follow-up question to those who were generous enough to say something nice. (“Thanks for saying you liked the class. Which part particularly resonated with you?”)
Give out specific compliments. You get what you give.
Practice positive language. When you find yourself saying: ‘I am really bad at remembering names’, correct yourself with ‘I am in the process of learning how to better remember names’.
Improve your sleep. I will repeat what I have said before: this is one of those things that is easily underestimated.
Why do I care?
I have been around in the world of improv and teaching for a while, and as much as I love it: I wish there were more different types of teachers.
Why more diversity? Because then we will attract and serve more different types of improvisers. And that will create better improv (and a better world).
Many amazing folks will not step into (more) teaching because they don’t think it is something for them.
Maybe this is you? Maybe you doubt if anyone is waiting for what you have to say. Or maybe you think improv teachers are a particular type, and you are just not that.
I am here to tell you: you are. We need you.
I hope this article has helped you with some next steps to further build your confidence. I can’t wait for you to get out there.
And when you do, come say hi!
Get my (free) peptalk
I made a free download for you. In this 7 minute audio file I will peptalk you to get ready for teaching. How? By leading you through a short and fun 2-phase thought exercise. And there is some catchy music too (Thanks Rick!)
The only thing you have to do is to pop in your earbuds and just listen. On your bike, in the train, while walking to the workshop space. After less than 7 minutes you will feel ready, excited and confident to teach.
