Thrown off Script

Turn Interruptions into Opportunities and Thrive in the Unexpected

By: Mike Domeny

Narrated by: Mike Domeny

“I got this,” you think. Until the unexpected happens, and your plans are scrapped!

Let’s face it - life is unscripted! Plans change, phones ring, lasagna burns, people disappoint, and before you know it, you’re left wondering, "What do I do now?" For many people, it could take days, months, or even years to feel “back on track” after one of life’s interruptions.

That time is often spent wishing things were different, regretting choices and circumstances, and wondering if God even notices or cares. This isn’t the way life has to be!

Author and professional improv comedian Mike Domeny (321 Improv) knows how it feels to deal with the unexpected on stage and in life.

That’s why, he has taken the principles that make improv work on stage, sprinkled them with his brand of quick humor, and paralleled them with life-giving truths from the Bible so you can:

• Overcome fears and doubts that choke progress
• Stop feeling “stuck” and start living your purpose
• Recognize interruptions as opportunities for growth

Become a master improviser in this unscripted life, starting now!

©2020 Michael Domeny (P)2020 Michael Domeny

Pure genuine wisdom

Mike Domeny is incredibly gifted to be able to both write poignant works and narrate his words in a way that makes you feel his hospitality; like you're in the room having that conversation personally at his table. His wisdom is timely and profound. We are all in a "thrown off script" moment right now, but this book is going to encourage people for years to come. I fully expect to come back to this book again and again, and learn something new every time. He obviously listened well to the Holy Spirit (and also his amazing wife's suggestions as he describes). Throughout this book, I found myself laughing out loud (which was often on a run, now my neighbors think I'm crazy) and soon after with tears rolling down my face. I know that reading this book for yourself is an amazing experience, however I think it is even better in audio form. Mike was made for this, to write and "perform" this information, and he truly cares for the person listening (or reading) and what God has to say about their situations. I cannot recommend this book enough, for your own sake go read it and feel the deep love of a God who is not surprised or defeated by your off-script circumstances.

"Keep the scene in the present"

Stay in the present. Don't get stuck clinging to the "better" past, regretting the past, fantasizing about a "better" future or worrying about the future. The author applies skills to be a successful improv comedian to all of life. For instance, by responding with "yes, and...", accepting a new reality by turning interruptions into opportunities. Practical examples and techniques are explained to take on the roles of:
* relationship-builder
* problem-solver
* pace-setter
* truth-teller
* action-taker
* all-giver

As with other author-read books, the audio edition reveals the passion and original intent of the text. The two "commercial interruptions" are particularly entertaining.

Mike Domeny Nails the Improv to Real Life Metaphor

I first met Mike at an Igniting Souls Conference in 2021 (#ISC21 ). He was one of the speakers and he spoke on this book. I was really impressed by his presentation and I purchased his audiobook that weekend.
We all know how life gets in the way, though and it wasn't until 11/22 before I was able to listen to it. God has his perfect timing and, of course, this was the perfect timing for me to listen to Mike's book. First, I am in a book club and his book fit exactly with what I needed for one of the topics for this month. Second, this topic was exactly what I needed for what I am going through in my life right now.

I won't bore you with my life history--that would take a while, and you can read the book later--but let's just say that interruptions had really gotten the best of me before now, and I had been questioning my life and how God was seemingly not showing up for me. Mike's book showed me how I was viewing things all wrong. I was viewing life with interruptions, when really these interruptions were life itself. I just needed to refocus my thoughts on how to view things and maybe life would start to make sense. I lost a lot in the past decade and now it was time to start getting it back. Mike had the steps and I was ready to take them.

Mike is an improv actor and he used his experience to show how life is just like standing on a stage in an improv situation. Life IS improv. Improv is not knowing what's going to happen next. Isn't that exactly what life is all about? You're thrown for a loop and expected to respond in a particular way. Everybody's watching. Are you going to fail? Or are you going to live up to other people's expectations? Sounds like improv to me. His connecting the two was perfect in every way and I loved his book. I would give it 10 stars if I could. By the way, he explains it so much better than I just did.

With Thrown Off Script, Mike took stories of Jesus from the Bible and, not only made them come alive by explaining them in layman's terms, but he gave them a modern "spin" that made them really relatable. He brought Jesus out of the first century and into the 21st century using improv as a basis. His explanations were thorough and entertaining. I listened eagerly to each chapter, and was a little disappointed when I got to the end, but only because there was no more to listen to.

I wholeheartedly recommend this book/audiobook. I'll be listening again in the near future!

A timeless teaching

This audiobook came at the exact time I needed it. The message literally salvaged several relationships. It’s one of my favorite books because we all experience interruptions to our plans. Mike tells us what to do with these interruptions so we all win.