What is this thing called “Bop”?
Part 2: Observant
BOP—being grounded in the ultimate state of readiness—is a solid foundation for all the greatness you will achieve in life. It is the Essence of Excellence! When you are in BOP, you are:
B = Balanced
O = Observant
P = Present
BOP is being ready and available to the most that life has to offer you—emotionally, physically, spiritually, and mentally. Once you are Balanced and ready for action, you must turn to your greatest teacher: your own power of Observation. Being Observant is the second step in BOP and one of your most powerful tools. It incorporates everything we perceive through our sensory acuity as well as everything we perceive both consciously and unconsciously.
Ardent observation isn’t practiced by most people on a regular basis, but as an Actor for REAL, you must practice observation constantly in order to combine the psychology, emotional life, and behaviors necessary to create your empowered life character. How Observant are you?
You can deliberately increase your power of Observation through these steps:
- Make the choice to be more aware of yourself and your surroundings
- Look at life with your eyes wide open
- Be interested in everything around you—colors, images, settings, backgrounds, behaviors—everything
As you become more aware of behaviors, postures, gestures—and thoughts that can be seen and not heard—you will begin to have a better understanding—you will be able to command your presence in a way that guides the responses of those around you.
An actor’s awareness is one of his most important tools. When he is filming he has to be aware of the camera, the props, other characters in the scene, his voice, his mark, the lighting…and numerous other variables. Despite all these distractions, he must deliver a natural performance. As an Actor for REAL you will see how awareness is vital to the development of your empowered character. Awareness encompasses the entire triangle of BOP.
Awareness is the degree of clarity with which we perceive and understand all factors that affect our lives. The awareness of your behavior begins through self-observation without judgment. Ask yourself:
Do I really know who I am? Do I know myself with the kind of objectivity that I can at times apply to others?
Enhance your powers of observation by getting to know all about you. By observing your behavior in the smallest sense, you can explore your habits and reactions and get a glimpse of yourself as others see you.
Once your aim becomes self-exploration, you will find there is no adventure more exciting or more rewarding!
When you are looking at life with your eyes wide open, you will see a need for change—propelling you closer and closer toward your goals.
You will enjoy being a work in progress for the rest of your life.
Be BOP!
« Back to Part One On to Part Three »
