Strengthening Your ‘Yes’ Muscle

Life throws us curveballs all of the time. Our success depends on our ability to say “Yes!” when our inclination is to shake our heads no, no, no.

Some of our greatest accomplishments are on the other side of Yes. Once we let go of resistance, we open ourselves up to possibilities that were previously unknown. We can take what is and morph it into a new, better reality by advancing the dialogue and expanding our current thinking.

My commitment to mindfulness studies brought me to improvisational comedy. In improv, a core philosophy is having an attitude of “Yes, and”. When we operate from a “Yes, and” approach, we look at situations presented to us and willingly accept them with a focus on how we can improve upon them. While improv class is often goofy and gut-busting, it also trains participants to suspend judgment in favor of positively contributing to the scene. By practicing this skill in improv, we are better able to execute it in real life when the stakes are higher.

The Brave New Workshop recently featured me in their #BeBrave Do Improv blog and how I use improv to enhance my personal and professional life. By strengthening that all-important “Yes” muscle, we make life and work more meaningful, creative, successful, and a whole lot more fun.

Say Yes!