8. Say “Yes, And”

"Yes, And" is a phrase from the art of improv. Saying "Yes, And" to our partner in a scene has benefits. It builds trust and it keeps the conversation going rather than shutting it down. It also allows our partners to introduce constraints to our shared creative process. This benefit isn't celebrated as much as … Continue reading 8. Say “Yes, And”

7. A Great Collaborator

https://youtu.be/gIUJIC8dpgc?si=ijWYCcja7swjaRXx&t=740 This interview with Pharrell Williams on completing year three of the Black Ambition project is fantastic and this bit at the end about collaboration is deep. When Forbes Senior Editor Jabari Young asks, "How do you go from a good collaborator to a great one?" Pharrell answers like a true producer:"A good collaborator knows … Continue reading 7. A Great Collaborator

6. Change the Season

Yesterday was Christmas Day and we spent a good bit of time at the park -- first hiking in the woods and then playing down by the shoreline. It was 50 degrees and sunny in Upstate NY. And while a good piece of my heart ached about climate change, another piece is interested in how … Continue reading 6. Change the Season

5. The Whispered “Ah”

This one takes inspiration from The Alexander Technique. The Alexander Technique is a practice for performers that engages them in breathing and other physical exercises to relax and enhance their performance. To begin, let's start with an exercise called The Whispered Ah. This exercise may make us feel like we're in a theater improv group. … Continue reading 5. The Whispered “Ah”

4. Sample + Remix

Take inspiration from something great, play with it, and make it your own. Be sure to give credit where credit is due. https://www.youtube.com/embed/yd8jh9QYfEs?si=3EoM2JP9d4Ci2utm https://youtu.be/1XMvPTFzgVU?si=Tbt8Ac3CWpyFFet1 https://www.youtube.com/embed/PblSmVR7hCk?si=JchG1YdOfWoT5j8O This post is part of a mini series on “12 Days of Play“ 1. Joy in Repetition2. Dream a Little Longer3. Make it Silly4. Sample + Remix (h/t Z for … Continue reading 4. Sample + Remix

3. Make it Silly

When we start brainstorming ideas for a project to address a specific problem, we can be too practical. That practically can get in the way of finding breakthrough ideas. The next time you are brainstorming, consider warming up by exploring the silliest ideas you can think of. There are at least three benefits to this … Continue reading 3. Make it Silly

2. Dream a Little Longer

When we have good ideas that we get excited about, it's easy to shift into planning mode. But if we want to be more playful in our work, we have to carve out more time for dreaming. Dreaming allows us to move past the obvious solution, to explore deeper ideas, to push the bounds of … Continue reading 2. Dream a Little Longer

12 Days of Play. 1. Joy in Repetition

I ended my previous post with a note about playfulness. While I am a creative person and am playful in how I approach solo work, playfulness in my collaborative work doesn't come naturally to me. So I'd like to spend the next twelve days, up to the new year, exploring this theme. At the end … Continue reading 12 Days of Play. 1. Joy in Repetition

The Status Quo is Really Good at Maintaining the Status Quo

Changemakers know this going in: the Status Quo is positioned well to hold its ground. Expect it. Plan for it. Take your vitamins. Do your warm ups. Choose to believe in yourself and others. Find time and energy for playfulness -- it'll keep you going.

repost: Reclaim Your Energy

PROBLEM Coming up with ideas for new projects is fun. But sometimes after we have an idea for a new project, we talk ourselves out of it: we don’t have the time; we aren’t qualified; someone else could do it better. Those excuses are often manifestations of fear. And rather than manage that fear, we … Continue reading repost: Reclaim Your Energy