#ThinkfullyHabit: Think 'YES-AND'
What if we could learn something from improvising musicians, freestyle rappers and improv comedians?
One thing improvisers are taught is to think ‘YES’ (they have to run with whatever thread is thrown at them, it falls over if they block an idea) – quickly followed by ‘AND’ (as they have to the build upon the idea and add to it in some way).
The ‘YES-AND’ mindset helps change patterns of thoughts. Essentially we can get to interesting, novel ideas if we loosen up a little.
“The more ways you can challenge your brain, the more beneficial it is in terms of synaptic connections and neural processing.”
WHY?
Improvisation is idea generation in the rawest form. It shows us how we can access ideas under pressure, but it also shows us how to be less precious over ideas, how to play around with them and to be liberated from the usual inhibitions. It’s because self-editing doesn’t get in the way of idea generation.
Neuroscientist Charles Limb from the University of California has shown that brain activity is organised differently when improvising**. Improvisation seems to turn off the self-monitoring areas of the brain (the same areas that are also involved in focussed attention), which allows for freer associations and insights.
The trick is to bring a bit of improvisation into our everyday lives. If you’re not up for full-on improv sessions in your next work meeting, don’t fear! We can all still take a key learning of getting into a new habit of simply saying ‘YES-AND’ rather than ‘NO-BUT’ a few more times a day. It’s the way to build on ideas to see if they take you somewhere different and novel.