On Taking Action and Doing The Thing

Early in my improv career, when I was still in college and learning how to be a good performer, I read a lot of books on comedy. First, there was Truth in Comedy by Del Close and Charna Halpburn (the Bible at the time) and Improvise by Mick Napier (the better option) and Live from New York, the oral history of SNL. When I wasn’t performing, I was knee-deep in COMEDY RESEARCH. 

I wanted to live, breathe, and eat comedy all the time. I even worked at the theater, spent all my waking hours with people from the theater, and read about it all when I got home. That’s my personality and my ADHD. When I get interested in something, I need to know every single thing about it. I take it apart, and put it back together, to see how the whole thing works. From comedy to Germany during World War II, Jonestown to the history of my hometown. KNOWLEDGE IS POWER! 

However, knowledge is only power if you do something with it. Luckily, with improv, I was actually doing it as well. However, the books didn’t help as much as ACTIVELY PERFORMING did. I often get stuck in the trap of being in the thick of research rather than doing anything about it. That’s why I started publishing this blog earlier this year, even though it’s not 2010. I wanted to write and considered myself a writer, but I never wrote anything more than funny Instagram captions and Yammer posts for work selling talent programs to colleagues. 

I think we all get stuck in that trap. We want to make something happen, but we don’t take the initiative for whatever reason. Sometimes it’s just generally being too busy, and not prioritizing well enough. Other times, it’s fear of change, fear of looking stupid, fear of failure, fear of rejection, etc. Actually, most of my inaction is due to fear of something very dumb, like fire escapes or air conditioners falling on me. 

When I wanted to start a workout routine, I never did because I was afraid to go to the gym and not know how to use any of the equipment or know my way around. I was afraid to take a yoga or barre class because I was afraid I wouldn’t keep up with everyone else. When I moved to Los Angeles, I made the move… but I didn’t do anything when I was there. I always used the fact that being there was half the battle, but in fact, it was only like 1/10th the battle. If it weren’t for my friends inviting me on projects with them, I’d have never done anything at all. 

Inaction is seductive because it’s just so easy! It doesn’t affect anyone else if we don’t make a move, and it’s so easy to let ourselves down. I am my favorite person to let down! I expect to be let down by myself! The guilt and shame are mine and mine alone to feel.

James Clear, the author of Atomic Habits, says that despite all our fears and feelings of inadequacy, we should choose action whenever we can. He says, “Motion will never produce a final result. Action will. When you’re in motion, you’re planning and strategizing, and learning. Those are all good things, but they don’t produce a result.” 

Oof. He’s right. If we want results, we have to actually do the thing and not plan for the thing. 

I want to write a book. Every time I sit down and get excited to write, I think… well, how do I get it published? What if it’s not good enough to get published? I don’t even understand the process of how to do it. Don’t I need like a million Instagram followers, or to have just left a cult? Every time I post a blog to my Instagram, I lose a follower, so that obviously means that nobody would ever read a book that I wrote. 

I want to save money for a house. Instead of actually saving, I’m reading books on saving and looking into apps that are good for saving and comparing them. I’m making impulse purchases and justifying them by saying, “I’ll never be in a position to save anyway, so I might as well get these wine glasses with illustrated raccoons on them.” 

This morning I wanted to go hiking. Instead of putting on my sneakers and getting out the door, I researched the best trails in the area and contemplated whether the ticks and mosquitos were just too bad to go to the woods. Maybe I could walk the lake, but there’s not much shade. I stayed on my couch and watched Fixer Upper all day. 

I’m too intimidated by the effort that I’d have to put into something, or being in unfamiliar surroundings, or the uncertainty of it all. What if it doesn’t work out? But, then again, what if it does? Ugh.

James Clear’s advice is to set a schedule for action. I’ve been posting two blogs a week, Mondays and Thursdays (which is actually his model as well) and it’s really helped to build a writing habit and have some accountability. His other tip is to set a date and make it public. For example, I will complete my book by October 30th. I find the habit forming part actually fun, and less overwhelming. 

We’re all basically one action away from changing our lives… but instead, we often choose to stay comfortable in familiar environments. There’s nothing wrong with comfort, familiarity, and safety. I’m just ready for the next thing, you know? I’m feeling ready to make a change and see what happens. I’m ready to feel different emotions, be vulnerable, and put myself on the line. I want to be the (wo)man in the arena!

Honestly, I just want to be able to sit down at the end of a long day, pour a glass of wine, hang out with my dog, and feel good about myself. It’ll make those murder documentaries so much more enjoyable!!!