Yes, And...

Conversations about ideas need, ‘Yes, and..’ they don’t need “yeah, but…”

But first, someone very close to me recently reminded me that if I publish personal pseudo-life advice rants, I must be willing to take it myself. 

So, who am I writing these to? They’re generally one hundred percent directed at me, like a public accountability notepad of where I’m failing and the alternate direction I’d like to head.

Yes, and….

Glad you asked. “Yes, and..” is an Improv acting rule that suggests improvisers should accept any suggestion by saying ‘yes’ and further expand on that line of thinking. 

No, I do not have any intention of becoming an actor. Yes, I would like to be part of new ideas and ways of thinking. 

At some point in life, you tricked yourself into thinking your ability to see the world in worst-case scenarios and plan around them was a valuable skill. It’s not, it’s called anxiety, and it’s yours to live with, don’t bring that energy to the people around you. There is a time and place for poking holes in a plan; brainstorming, dreaming, and ideation is not it. 

For great ideas to start, businesses to grow, and lives to change, it takes a certain amount of unquestioning optimism and the ability to chase what doesn’t yet exist. Entrepreneurs and bosses usually have it, while the rest of us keep our bubble-popping pins at the ready out of fear of failure or facing the work it takes to bring an idea to life rather than choosing the easy, cynical way out.

Cynicism isn’t wisdom. It’s annoying and counterproductive. Do better.