Sital Ruparelia

One of the first lessons I was taught when I began learning comedy improvisation 5 years ago was the principle of “being average and having lots of goes.”

Because it’s your willingness to be average, have lots of goes and make mistakes that ultimately helps you succeed on stage.

Not only does this principle apply when performing on stage without a script. It also applies to many aspects of our life and work too.

For example, just think about the 5 phases you go through when learning to cook a meal:  

1. You have a go (you cook something)
2. You fail (burn it or make a tasteless dish)
3. You learn from the failure (identify why you burnt it or why it was inedible)
4. You implement the learning (adjust your cooking approach)
5. You have more goes until you improve and master the art of cooking

So through your willingness to “be average” instead of “perfect” – you give yourselves permission to have plenty of goes and consequently speed up the learning and improvement process.

That same principle applies to every aspect of our careers and working lives too. 

Unless you’re first willing to be average at networking, making job applications, interviewing, presenting to groups, leading teams etc – you’ll get all perfectionist about things and deny yourself opportunities to improve your skills. By not applying for jobs until “just the right moment” or not speaking up at a meeting because you’re “not totally sure” you’ll miss out on 100% of the opportunities which lay in front of you.

So if you want to speed up your job search, career transition or the process of finding more clients for your freelance business – stop trying to be perfect. Stop worrying about screwing up, looking silly or being rejected. They’re simply part of the journey to success. In much the same way as burning a dish is to someone learning to cook. Unless you’re willing to make an average meal and screw up – you’ll never ever actually make a great cuisine.

Similarly, unless you’re willing to put yourself out there and be imperfect, you’ll never move forward and find job opportunities, meaningful work or the lifestyle you want.  

Comedy improvisers are not only encouraged to get comfortable with being imperfect – but in fact encouraged to enjoy the process of screwing up.

So how could you be average and have lots of goes this week? What can you screw up (just a little) this week and still have a smile on your face?