The “Yes And” Rule | Nerd Fitness

Just a few years again, I attended my good friend Nick’s blowout fortieth celebration.

As a part of the celebration, he employed an improv comedian, and we all needed to take part in studying improv comedy.

(I simply felt the collective shiver of all of the introverts studying this article).

We began tossing out enjoyable situations and scenes to take part in, and we discovered about a very powerful rule of Improv: “Sure and.”

Two easy phrases, and the muse for all of improv comedy:

Each time any individual comes up with a scene, sentence, or state of affairs, the ONLY acceptable response is: “sure and”

• Sure: Acceptance! I settle for and acknowledge that regardless of the state of affairs is, regardless of how absurd, to be true.
• And: construct! Like a tennis match, after your improv companion hits the ball to you, your job is to hit it again! Constructing on the state of affairs or scene.

For instance, in case your improv companion says, “I’m an area pirate” your response might be:

• “Sure, and I’m the area police, you’re below arrest!”
• “Sure, and I’m a primary mate searching for a brand new crew, that is good!”
• “Sure, and my title is Captain Hook, welcome to Pirates Nameless.”

The “sure and” rule is so essential, as a result of there’s nothing worse than a foul improv companion!

Form of like Liam Neeson in ​this short sketch​ with Ricky Gervais, (I giggle each time):

The Sure And Rule for Life

As a former overachieving “gifted baby” who has fairly the damaging inside critic, I’ve labored exhausting on incorporating “sure and” into my life.

The “sure” half is constructed round acceptance, which is one thing I’ve spent the previous two years working to embrace.

Take a look at my previous essays on ​Acceptance​ and ​Wabi Sabi​ for extra.

It’s the “and” half I’ve centered on these days.

As Dr. Kristen Neff factors out on in her e book ​Self-compassion​, life is complicated and so are people:

“Judgment defines individuals as unhealthy versus good and tries to seize their important nature with simplistic labels.

Discriminating knowledge acknowledges complexity and ambiguity.”

Nothing is ever so simple as it appears. Issues are by no means nearly as good or unhealthy as our brains suppose they’re both.

So regardless of the voice in our heads that desires to guage all the things in black-or-white, yes-or-no, good-or-bad phrases… We should do not forget that life is a superbly difficult mess.

Creator F. Scott Fitzgerald as soon as stated:

The check of a first-rate intelligence is the flexibility to carry two opposed concepts within the thoughts on the similar time, and nonetheless retain the flexibility to perform.

One ought to, for instance, be capable to see that issues are hopeless and but be decided to make them in any other case.

That is my activity for you immediately.

Is there part of your life that feels black-or-white, and as a substitute may use a little bit of complexity?

Nothing is so simple as it appears.

Life is difficult, and alter is difficult. AND you’re one who’s attempting.

Which implies there’s hope. And ​hope is the warrior emotion​.

Additionally, please go watch that ​Liam Neeson skit​.

You’re welcome.

-Steve

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