Improv 2 Improve

I’ve been studying a great deal about Innovation as of late.  One of the core concepts I have taken from my research is that innovation requires implementation.  Or it’s just another idea floating around.  We have too many ideas just floating about – many generated by useless and unproductive meetings.  However, one of the concepts about great innovation stems from other materials I’ve been reading about Improv.  That’s right – right from the stage of side splitting quick wit.   

Now the type of innovation I am looking to incorporate into my life isn’t always followed by an audience busting at the seems.  It’s rooted in the openness and flexibility to adapt and change the story while it’s in progress.  Adding the every popular, “Yes, and” vs. the “BUT.”  But stops the story every time. It doesn’t allow for idea generation or creativity.  And it certainly doesn’t help implementation. 

Using Improv in our daily lives to improve can be as easy as a set up to a very skilled comedian.  For us, those that don’t occupy the stage each night, we get to play in a world that is reliant on the laugh.  More reliant on the adaptations we can make to situations that come our way.  I find the more I can practice the skills of saying, “Yes, and” the better of I am of being more creative and productive in life.  Whether it’s in life or around the table with friends, it doesn’t matter.  (Really, isn’t it all just one life anyways?) 

Here’s how you start.  First, suspend your judgment.  Easier said than done?  Not really if you are focused on truly listening to what is being said.  Next, approach the conversation with a “build on” attitude.  New ideas start with just a single thought, great ideas take that down the road a bit and build on it.  Lastly, don’t let it end.  Open yourself and your language up to discovering multiple options and possibilities.  Practice by saying, “Yes, and!” Catch yourself – or just note when others blurt out – “but.” 

What does Improv have to do with the getting closer to experience the Point of Passion?  To truly experience passion – deep passion – there needs to be a strong engagement. Improv allows us to engage – with each other, different ideas or unfamiliar situations.  It’s by suspending our judgment that we are able to see things in a different way.  Perhaps this suspension will allow for us to experience new things and ideas.  This experience leads to discovery.  Discovery leads to passion.   

Passion is like innovation – it needs implementation.  

Ask yourself the following: 

• What in your life can benefit from a little Improv? 
• Where have you said, “but” in your life? 
• What would be the benefit of giving this a little “Yes, and” approach the next time around?
• What new things could you discover if you let yourself?