It has been an amazing summer so far – and we are only (officially) a few weeks into it! I have been working on learning how to generate cash – not huge amounts, but ongoing reasonable amounts that constitute a livelihood. I want to do this in a way that benefits not only me, but also those around me and the world in general.

So far, my attempts have been leading me in the right direction, but I’m not there yet. In part, this is because I keep trying to do it all by myself! There are a number of things I am good at, but I am not good at everything! So I am realizing that I need to focus my efforts in two areas. First, spending more time doing what I am really good at in order to grow my business. And second, finding wonderful, amazing and talented people to work with who are truly great at doing what I don’t do well!

So that is my lesson this summer – to stop trying to do everything myself and to create opportunities to work with other people so that we can all benefit. And since I believe that learning should be fun or at least as much fun as possible, I have signed up for some Improv theater classes to help me practice this lesson.

Why Improv? Because the basic rules of Improv support this lesson. The most important rule is – Say “Yes, and…” because when we say “Yes” we enter into a collaborative process with others. We join in and connect. The “and…” is about adding information, building together, creating something new from all our efforts. Saying “No” stops the flow of connection. It asserts control over the process and shuts down creativity. I’ve watched it happen – and I’ve been guilty of saying “no” myself. I just want to learn to do it a lot less!

Another important rule is – Make Your Partner Look Good! Don’t focus on yourself. Be of service to others. In the end, everyone looks better! Yet another rule and the last one I will talk about today is – Focus On The Here And Now! After all, yesterday is past. I can’t change it. And tomorrow will be shaped by what I do today, right now, in this moment. So right now, I choose to focus on what brings more joy and love into the world. How about you? Enjoy!