--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: In my stand-up, I generally improvise…" description: "\"In my stand-up, I generally improvise from an outline.\" — Jeff Garlin" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/054/jeff-garlin-18526_generally_in-my-stand-up-i-generally-improvise-fro_2399724.png" --- # In my stand-up, I generally improvise from an outline. ![“In my stand-up, I generally improvise from an outline.” quote by Jeff Garlin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/054/jeff-garlin-18526_generally_in-my-stand-up-i-generally-improvise-fro_2399724.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/054/jeff-garlin-18526_generally_in-my-stand-up-i-generally-improvise-fro_2399724.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/054/jeff-garlin-18526_generally_in-my-stand-up-i-generally-improvise-fro_2399724.png) > “In my stand-up, I generally improvise from an outline.” [Jeff Garlin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeff-garlin/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. A performer uses a loose structure and creates material spontaneously, balancing preparation with on‑the‑spot creativity. **In simple terms:** Improvising from a plan. Key Takeaway Embrace flexibility while keeping a roadmap. Themes creativity performance spontaneity Mood energetic playful Type motivational inspirational When to use this quote - Comedy shows - public speaking - workshop facilitation Key Concepts Improvisation outline audience interaction Questions to Reflect On - How do you decide when to deviate? - What safeguards keep the set coherent? A Different Perspective Improvisation can lead to incoherence if not anchored. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet ## Related quotes > [The enemies you make by taking a decided stand generally have more respect for you than the friends you make by being on the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/the-enemies-you-make-by-taking-a-decided-stand-generally-have-more/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I don't make outlines or plans because whenever I do, they turn out to be useless. It is as if I am compelled to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leslie-marmon-silko/i-don-t-make-outlines-or-plans-because-whenever-i-do-they-turn-out-to/) [Leslie Marmon Silko](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leslie-marmon-silko/) > [When I pictured myself, it was always like just an outline in a colouring book, with the inside not yet completed.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-dessen/when-i-pictured-myself-it-was-always-like-just-an-outline-in-a/) [Sarah Dessen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-dessen/) > [The more work you put in on your outline and getting the skeleton of your story right, the easier the process is later.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/drew-goddard/the-more-work-you-put-in-on-your-outline-and-getting-the-skeleton-of/) [Drew Goddard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/drew-goddard/) > [My general writing preface is to write an outline and then ignore about half of it, both on a micro level with the individual…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-handler/my-general-writing-preface-is-to-write-an-outline-and-then-ignore/) [Daniel Handler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-handler/) > [I write on big yellow legal pads - ideas in outline form when I'm doing stand-up and stuff. It's vivid that way. I can't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robin-williams/i-write-on-big-yellow-legal-pads-ideas-in-outline-form-when-i-m-doing/) [Robin Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robin-williams/) > [“As long as there have been stories, there have been characters that refuse to stick to the outline.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/suzanne-selfors/as-long-as-there-have-been-stories-there-have-been-characters-that/) [Suzanne Selfors](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/suzanne-selfors/) > [That was, in writing the 'Twilight' script I had about five weeks to write that. I'd taken about a month to write the outline…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/melissa-rosenberg/that-was-in-writing-the-twilight-script-i-had-about-five-weeks-to/) [Melissa Rosenberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/melissa-rosenberg/) > [Outlining is like putting on training wheels. It gives me the courage to write, but we always go off the outline.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hallie-ephron/outlining-is-like-putting-on-training-wheels-it-gives-me-the-courage/) [Hallie Ephron](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hallie-ephron/) > [I don't write a play from beginning to end. I don't write an outline. I write scenes and moments as they occur to me.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-greenberg/i-don-t-write-a-play-from-beginning-to-end-i-don-t-write-an-outline-i/) [Richard Greenberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-greenberg/) > [I think that by following the route that I have tried to outline, one gets into a much more interesting and productive series of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marvin-harris/i-think-that-by-following-the-route-that-i-have-tried-to-outline-one/) [Marvin Harris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marvin-harris/) > [When I'm writing the first draft, I'm writing in a very slovenly way: anything to get the outline of the story on paper.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pat-barker/when-i-m-writing-the-first-draft-i-m-writing-in-a-very-slovenly-way/) [Pat Barker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pat-barker/) > [I really don't keep an outline; I don't organize in any way. I just write.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kevin-kwan/i-really-don-t-keep-an-outline-i-don-t-organize-in-any-way-i-just/) [Kevin Kwan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kevin-kwan/) > [Normally, I spend a week on the outline and take two weeks to write the book.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/r-l-stine/normally-i-spend-a-week-on-the-outline-and-take-two-weeks-to-write/) [R. L. Stine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/r-l-stine/) > [I am a big outliner. For my adult book, 'The Visibles,' I did not outline, and it took me two years to write because…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sara-shepard/i-am-a-big-outliner-for-my-adult-book-the-visibles-i-did-not-outline/) [Sara Shepard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sara-shepard/) ## More by Jeff Garlin > [Forget 'full of myself,' I'm not remotely impressed with myself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeff-garlin/forget-full-of-myself-i-m-not-remotely-impressed-with-myself/) [Jeff Garlin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeff-garlin/) > [By the way, to perform in front of Don Rickles, it 's not nerve-wrecking. It 's enjoyable, i am enjoying Jeff Garlin. I hope…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeff-garlin/by-the-way-to-perform-in-front-of-don-rickles-it-s-not-nerve-wrecking/) [Jeff Garlin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeff-garlin/) > [Why do I want to be challenged or have challenges? That's why I don't go climb mountains.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeff-garlin/why-do-i-want-to-be-challenged-or-have-challenges-that-s-why-i-don-t/) [Jeff Garlin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeff-garlin/) > [Parents have got to chill out. Let your kid eat dirt - they're gonna be fine!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeff-garlin/parents-have-got-to-chill-out-let-your-kid-eat-dirt-they-re-gonna-be/) [Jeff Garlin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeff-garlin/) > [The worst kind of idiot is the one who doesn't think they're an idiot.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeff-garlin/the-worst-kind-of-idiot-is-the-one-who-doesn-t-think-they-re-an-idiot/) [Jeff Garlin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeff-garlin/) > [First off, I don't do self-deprecation comedy based on being fat. I would always talk about it honestly. Secondly, I don't care how much…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeff-garlin/first-off-i-don-t-do-self-deprecation-comedy-based-on-being-fat-i/) [Jeff Garlin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeff-garlin/) > [I like independent movies, documentaries. There's not a lot of movies that are commercially made that I dig.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeff-garlin/i-like-independent-movies-documentaries-there-s-not-a-lot-of-movies/) [Jeff Garlin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeff-garlin/) > [I'm from Chicago and it's a huge influence on me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeff-garlin/i-m-from-chicago-and-it-s-a-huge-influence-on-me/) [Jeff Garlin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeff-garlin/) > [Acting's fine if the script's written by Paddy Chayefsky and Martin Scorsese directs it, but unless you have something like that, I don't really…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeff-garlin/acting-s-fine-if-the-script-s-written-by-paddy-chayefsky-and-martin/) [Jeff Garlin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeff-garlin/) > [When you see a bad romantic comedy, you see the script, the director, and the actors trying to create this warmth and this pathos…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeff-garlin/when-you-see-a-bad-romantic-comedy-you-see-the-script-the-director/) [Jeff Garlin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeff-garlin/) > [I've avoided doing network shows because I don't think they're true to real families.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeff-garlin/i-ve-avoided-doing-network-shows-because-i-don-t-think-they-re-true/) [Jeff Garlin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeff-garlin/) > [My kids have played soccer and baseball and basketball, and the parents who come to games are always saying and doing things that are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeff-garlin/my-kids-have-played-soccer-and-baseball-and-basketball-and-the/) [Jeff Garlin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeff-garlin/) > [For me, baseball is more comparable to chess than it is to hockey.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeff-garlin/for-me-baseball-is-more-comparable-to-chess-than-it-is-to-hockey/) [Jeff Garlin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeff-garlin/) > [I don't care what I do - act, stand-up, write, direct - it doesn't matter as long as I'm being creative and it's good…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeff-garlin/i-don-t-care-what-i-do-act-stand-up-write-direct-it-doesn-t-matter-as/) [Jeff Garlin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeff-garlin/) > [If you're gonna be a maniac, pyro's not a good maniac.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeff-garlin/if-you-re-gonna-be-a-maniac-pyro-s-not-a-good-maniac/) [Jeff Garlin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeff-garlin/) [Explore all 34 Jeff Garlin quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeff-garlin/) ## More Generally quotes > [I think I am against stereotype. Generally, Asian guys are more quiet - they study and have a good work ethic. Generally, I have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bobby-lee/i-think-i-am-against-stereotype-generally-asian-guys-are-more-quiet/) [Bobby Lee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bobby-lee/) > [Generally, I like all islands. There, it is easier to rule.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-camus/generally-i-like-all-islands-there-it-is-easier-to-rule/) [Albert Camus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-camus/) > [My wife and kids maybe beg to differ, but I am generally a good guy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-macchio/my-wife-and-kids-maybe-beg-to-differ-but-i-am-generally-a-good-guy/) [Ralph Macchio](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-macchio/) > [I'm generally pretty happy about life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/phyllis-smith/i-m-generally-pretty-happy-about-life/) [Phyllis Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/phyllis-smith/) > [The first act is the easiest to plot. The second act is always the hardest to plot. Generally a good, you know, sometimes the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-j-cannell/the-first-act-is-the-easiest-to-plot-the-second-act-is-always-the/) [Stephen J. Cannell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-j-cannell/) > [Knowledge is generally considered a good thing; so, presumably, knowing more about how the U.S. thinks and operates around the world is also good.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-singer/knowledge-is-generally-considered-a-good-thing-so-presumably-knowing/) [Peter Singer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-singer/) > [I'm in production year round. I work long hours. I have a dog and a wife. There's not a lot of available time for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ira-glass/i-m-in-production-year-round-i-work-long-hours-i-have-a-dog-and-a/) [Ira Glass](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ira-glass/) > [I'm pretty indiscriminating, and I have awful taste, generally.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nellie-mckay/i-m-pretty-indiscriminating-and-i-have-awful-taste-generally/) [Nellie McKay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nellie-mckay/) > [But it is impossible to divide a cube into two cubes, or a fourth power into fourth powers, or generally any power beyond the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pierre-de-fermat/but-it-is-impossible-to-divide-a-cube-into-two-cubes-or-a-fourth/) [Pierre de Fermat](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pierre-de-fermat/) > [For those of us in the political business, generally, it's been pretty much an unwritten but understood rule that family and children are out…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-nutter/for-those-of-us-in-the-political-business-generally-it-s-been-pretty/) [Michael Nutter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-nutter/) > [And so, as generally happens, those who have most give least, and those with less somehow make shrift to share.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/geraldine-brooks/and-so-as-generally-happens-those-who-have-most-give-least-and-those/) [Geraldine Brooks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/geraldine-brooks/) > [As a children's author, reviewers are generally very nice to you. I only ever wrote one adult book and received such a kicking for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anthony-horowitz/as-a-children-s-author-reviewers-are-generally-very-nice-to-you-i/) [Anthony Horowitz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anthony-horowitz/) > [I think people just think I am crazy because they see me doing stand-up, but I am generally not. I am very sad. I'm…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bobby-lee/i-think-people-just-think-i-am-crazy-because-they-see-me-doing-stand/) [Bobby Lee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bobby-lee/) > [Rock stars generally don't last in the Senate, starting with John Kennedy. Too much work, too slow, too little juice. Getting something accomplished takes…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susan-estrich/rock-stars-generally-don-t-last-in-the-senate-starting-with-john/) [Susan Estrich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susan-estrich/) > [In refugee camps around the world, I met people who were gone. They were still walking around but had lost so much that they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deborah-ellis/in-refugee-camps-around-the-world-i-met-people-who-were-gone-they/) [Deborah Ellis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deborah-ellis/) Browse all 627 Generally quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "In my stand-up, I generally improvise from an outline.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Jeff Garlin" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeff-garlin/in-my-stand-up-i-generally-improvise-from-an-outline/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Generally" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeff-garlin/in-my-stand-up-i-generally-improvise-from-an-outline/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/054/jeff-garlin-18526_generally_in-my-stand-up-i-generally-improvise-fro_2399724.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/054/jeff-garlin-18526_generally_in-my-stand-up-i-generally-improvise-fro_2399724.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/054/jeff-garlin-18526_generally_in-my-stand-up-i-generally-improvise-fro_2399724.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“In my stand-up, I generally improvise from an outline.” — Jeff Garlin", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Jeff Garlin", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeff-garlin/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "In my stand-up, I generally improvise...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeff-garlin/in-my-stand-up-i-generally-improvise-from-an-outline/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeff-garlin/in-my-stand-up-i-generally-improvise-from-an-outline/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```