Change Happens: Improv For An Unpredictable World

My first session of Day 1 was a fantastic dual panel on how improvisational skills can help one adapt to change. Amanda and Jordan Hirsh gave a fun presentation including pulling volunteers from the audience to put the skills into practice with short skits.

Update: 3/15

You can listen to the session audio here.

Here are more Think Improv resources.

Social Tags

• #improv4sll
• @thinkimprov
• @amanda_hirsh
• @tfish77
• thinkimprov.com

The Bad News:

• Life defies your expecations (the script in your head)
• Going off script is hard
• It’s easy to lose your way
• Stress 🙁

[notice]The Challenge: how to adapt to change.[/notice]

Amanda & Jordan Hirsh

The Good News: Improv Can Help You

1. Expect the unexpected
2. Adapt effectively to change
3. Know your objective
4. Lead & inspire

The Best News:

• You are already improvising
• You can learn to improvise better

How Improve can help you (in detail)

1. Expect The Unexpected

• Reset your frame
• Recognize you’re in an improv show
• Proceed accordingly

2. Adapt to Change: “YES, AND”

• Accept the reality of what’s happening (“YES”)
• You don’t have to accept the outcome, just the circumstance
• Build upon that reality (“AND”)
  • Attitudinal: something is happening AND I have other things in my life
  • Actionable: something is happening AND I’m going to take action
• Resistance is futile

3. Know Your Objective

• Circumstances may change…but your objective can remain the same
• Find a new way to achieve your goal
• “Hold on to your shit” Don’t forget your goals

4. Lead & Inspire

• Bring “yes, and” to the party (or meeting room).
• React quickly – trust yourself and others will trust you, too.

Photo Credit [sxsw]