Have you ever wondered how improv comedians recover so gracefully from mistakes? Their secret is recognizing one of the core principles of improv comedy: Failure is Feedback.

When we make a mistake in improv comedy, we recognize that making mistakes is part of the process of improving. We use that failure going forward to help us develop our art and develop in other areas of our lives.

Of course, if we look at mistakes in isolation or over a short span, they can seem like monumental failures. However, with a longer perspective, we see these ‘failures’ for what they truly are: valuable lessons. We learn and adapt, striving to avoid repeating those mistakes.

The heart of these improv comedy lessons lies in the idea of a growth mindset. The next time something doesn’t go as planned, ask yourself: “What did I learn from this? What can I do differently next time?”

These questions help to dampen the pain in the moment and make sure that we don’t make the same mistake again.