Professional responsability and bringing it from home

So I have been thinking a lot about artistic support for hospital clowns, what this might look like, how we avoid 'burn-out' and keep ourselves creatively tip-top after years on the floor. But i think it is fair to say, that without personal professional responsability and rigour, no amount of training or artistic support will save us.

As Xaví said, "we as individuals, have to bring it from home. Pallapupas is not a Clown School".

Monthly training, or coaching or residential courses are all very well and good, but if we feel like we know it all already, or if we feel bored or uninspired, then maybe that is all (hard raised) money down the drain. It is up to US to find the inspiration and spark each day we work on the floor, to explore new possibilities and frontiers in the work we do, to encourage, surprise and push one another. And from there, training or coaching or residential courses can be the icing on a delicious and nutritious cake.

Xaví, one of the most skilled Hospital Clowns I have seen on my travels, writes notes at the end of each day he works. He has worked with Pallaupuas for 11 years, and was Artistic Director for 4 years. Grounds, you might say, to pat yourself on the back and cruise your way through the hospital clown day. But you don't get to be that good without the kind professional rigour that he talks about. 

If you don't already write and reflect on your own practice after each day working on the hospital floor, start.