It’s that time of the month where people start to let go of new year’s resolutions. Instead of holding onto the pressure that accompanies resolutions, why not say, “yes” to something – anything – that enables you to move forward personally and/or professionally?
When I was laid up after foot surgery two years ago at this time, I said, “yes” to researching coastal communities. I didn’t say, “yes” to moving – instead I embraced the small action step — that lead to another small action step — that lead to a big move. Without having completed the small task, the big challenge could never have been possible.
In improv, we practice this – a lot. As humans we are conditioned to find all the reasons why something won’t work. We look for excuses to shut down, to predict failure, to use “no” as a protective shield. In improv, the “yes” moves things forward on stage – and on the stage of life. Imagine if this were the norm. What might we create as a society?
Those three letters have transformational powers — and I’m not the only one who has been impacted by the power of “yes!”…
“Saying ‘yes’ allowed me to challenge myself in my career and succeed at things that I never thought I was capable of handling.”
~ Claudine, Malvern, PA
*****
“I said ‘yes’ to improv classes, not to get on stage, but because I like the philosophy behind it. I like being placed in uncomfortable situations—it has helped me get a deeper understanding of who I am.”
~ Alexandra, San Juan, PR
*****
Sometimes saying, “yes” feels like this.
“Saying ‘yes’ has helped me to be more open to possibilities. Where I sometimes feel the urge to say no, I’ll stop in my head and say, ‘what happens if I say yes?’ At the end of the day I’m not dead so it couldn’t have been that awful. It also means people aren’t apprehensive about asking me things because I’m not always saying no.”
~ Sean, San Bruno, CA
*****
“I almost quit improv during my first class about seven or eight years ago when my boyfriend at the time and I broke up, but when I was asked if I was going to take the next semester, I said ‘yes,’ and my whole life has changed for the very best!”
~ Michelle, Royal Oak, MI
*****
“‘Yes’ has given me the opportunity to see the world, follow my heart, have a career that I love and support my children in their own dreams.”
– Mary, Philadelphia, PA
*****
“Saying ‘yes’ liberated me from corporate America so I could coach and facilitate full time. Even on hard days, I say ‘yes’ to my mission to help others and to the entrepreneurial life I’m living now.”
– Jenny, Winsted, CT
Even celebrities cite “yes” as a life changing word:
“‘Say yes, and you’ll figure it out afterward’ has helped me to be more adventurous. It has definitely helped me be less afraid.”
~ Tina Fey
*****
“Find a way to say ‘yes’ to things. Say ‘yes’ to invitations to a new country, say ‘yes’ to meet new friends, say ‘yes’ to learn something new. Yes is how you get your first job, and your next job, and your spouse, and even your kids. Even if it’s a bit edgy, a bit out of your comfort zone, saying yes means that you will do something new, meet someone new, and make a difference. Yes lets you stand out in a crowd, be the optimist, see the glass full, be the one everyone comes to. Yes is what keeps us all young.”
~ Eric Schmidt
*****
“Life is a helluva lot more fun if you say ‘yes’ rather than no.”
~ Richard Branson
So go ahead and add a little “yes” to your own life — you never know what one small “yes” might lead to …
UPCOMING OPPORTUNITIES TO EMBRACE THE “YES” MINDSET:
SHOWCASE + PLAYSHOP: Improv Playground
Sunday, February 5th
6:30 – 8:30 p.m. at Limelight Theatre
community improv showcase +
community improv games
And, it’s ALL fun! Do you like to watch improv? Do you like to play improv games? We have BOTH opportunities for you! In the first half of the Playground, you’ll enjoy a showcase featuring some of our community’s improv players, then, we’ll lead improv games for everyone. Watch. Play. Watch AND play. It’s up to you!
CLASS: Level 1 – Improv Basics
Tuesdays, February 7th – April 4th
(No class on March 14th.)
6:30 – 8:30 p.m. at Limelight Theatre
Throughout this 8-week course, students will explore the basic concepts of improvisation in a warm, safe and supportive environment. The class is designed to build self-confidence and explore creativity using the fundamentals of improvisation.
CLASS: Level 2 – Advanced Improv
Mondays, February 6th – April 3rd
(No class on March 13th.)
6:30 – 8:30 p.m. at Limelight Theatre
CLASS: Level 5 – Lowdown on Long Form
Wednesdays, February 8th – April 5th
(No class on March 15th.)
7 – 9 p.m. at Limelight Theatre
SHOW: 3 Blind Dates
Sunday, February 12th
6 p.m. cast mingle
6:30 p.m. showtime
Limelight Theatre
An unscripted romantic comedy, 3 Blind Dates follows 3 single ladies through a round of speed dating and the dates that occur as a result. The twist? The audience selects which speed dater goes on a date with each of the ladies!
To register for classes, for show tickets, and for complete event details, please visit The Adventure Project’s calendar page.
