FATIGUE IS YOUR FRIEND

Man passed out with head on his desk

Lorne, the new documentary on Netflix features Saturday Night Live producer Lorne Michaels and the show’s scriptwriting sessions. Actors and writers weigh in on how exhausting these all-nighters were. But this was by design. Lorne Michaels said “Fatigue is your friend. Through exhaustion and being depleted, the unconscious takes over and suddenly, you take bigger risks and start to make yourself laugh.”

Michaels’ assessment sounds counter to logic and productivity, but he is right. David talks about his Thursday and Sunday performances in the theatre, when actors delivered a matinee and an evening show. Interestingly enough, these night performances were stronger because the actors wore their emotions on their sleeves, readily available when they were on the verge of exhaustion.

We’re not advocating all-night prep sessions before your next presentation. But don’t let weariness prevent you from constructing and rehearsing your structure or client anecdotes. You may be surprised by the greater insights that come to you, as well as your ability to express experiences more deeply. Being frazzled might be the shortcut to your Muse.