Nikon D5, Sigma 35mm ƒ/1.4 DG Art, ISO 360, ƒ/1.4, 1/100

Comedian Larry, the Cable Guy, is credited with coining the American phrase Get-R-Done. I will let Larry explain its origin and meaning.

I have watched my daughter and her friends Get-R-Done for the last five weeks with Shakespeare’s play Twelfth Night.

My daughter is right in the first photo with her friend Jessica. They are also the president and vice-president of the high school theatre club.

The highest levels of performance come to people who are centered, intuitive, creative, and reflective – people who know to see a problem as an opportunity.

–– Deepak Chopra

Fujifilm X-E2, FUJINON XF 55-200mm, ISO 2000, ƒ/3.9, 1/60

I watched my daughter as she designed the costumes for the play. Some were made from scratch, and others were bought at the local thrift store and modified for the period. Her shopping all happened just five weeks ago.

By the way, the rest of the cast was just as busy. They made this quite an elaborate set. This project involved much more work than the musical production they did for ten weeks last year.

Fujifilm X-E2, FUJINON XF 55-200mm, ISO 800, ƒ/4.4, 1/60

Now, at the same time, they are memorizing their lines. This is like learning a foreign language if you haven’t read Shakespeare. It takes time to say the words and understand what you are saying.

I recorded the play last night for my parents, who couldn’t attend the performance. Listen to some of it and see all the sets and costumes for yourself.

Fujifilm X-E2, FUJINON XF 55-200mm, ISO 2500, ƒ/4.5, 1/60

I watched the students’ passion rise so much that tears would pour down their faces. They were frustrated when the lines were justified and did not come as quickly as the material they had previously ordered.

I watched the cast struggle with the old English of Shakespeare.

Then, I watched as the students calmed down and took the time to work with each other, helping them understand a scene and how they worked to improve it.

Learning their roles in the play also helps them figure out their societal roles. First, they knew how blocking and purpose were necessary for their part and how they acted even when they had no lines but were on stage.

How about you?

You have a lot on your plate for your work. Do you Get-R-Done? As Larry, the Cable Guy says, this is when you give it your all and give 110%.

Like all these high school students realize, they repeatedly practiced, so the audience understood. They wanted to perform at a level where the storyline made the audience laugh and cry.

Is all the work you are doing today behind closed doors going to WOW the audience? Are you as passionate about your play as these students are?

Don’t lower your expectations to meet your performance. Raise your level of performance to meet your expectations.

Ralph Marston