“Greet everything with ‘Yes, and….'” “Make statements instead of putting the burden on others with questions.” “Stay in the present, as opposed to focusing on the past or future.” “The fun is always on the other side of a yes.”  Fey, Tina. Tina Fey: ’30 Rock’ Star’s Success Secret: ‘Say Yes’. The Huffington Post. 2013.

I love the article, Tina Fey: ’30 Rock’ Star’s Success Secret: ‘Say Yes,’ that was published by The Huffington Post. I have taken three improvisational acting classes from Amy Talbot and ScOtt Summit of the See Spot Run Improv Comedy Troupe in Columbus over the past two years, and I am quite familiar with the “yes, and…” way of thinking. Not only does it apply to improv acting, it applies to life.

Discovering Improv

I first saw The Second City in Pittsburgh over ten years ago. I didn’t know that the group had produced well-known greats, such as John Belushi, Dan Aykroyd and Chris Farley from SNL. But, I remember watching this troupe’s actors on stage and thinking, “I bet I could do that.”

I’ve always been known as a bit of a smart-ass or someone who never misses a beat. My parents said that, as a child, I understood jokes that were meant for their adult friends. I think my understanding and early education in sarcasm was learned from my father. He always had a wry remark or fun commentary for any situation. And, often, this witty repartee was shared as a whisper to me. He said the first thing that was on his mind, so I learned to do the same.

Going with Your Gut

It’s hard for most most people to act or react on their instincts because most people think they may be wrong. And, most people are scared to speak the first thing that pops into their head for this very same reason. But, it’s not wrong to have a thought. It’s not wrong to have an opinion. Thoughts and opinions make us do the things we do, and they are intrinsic to our individual characters.

Going with your gut instinct is hard, but it gets easier if you learn to trust your self. Self doubt will leave you without a voice and an opinion. Speaking up and saying what is on your mind is valuable to yourself and to the people around you. You’re not wrong if you’re just being yourself. In improv acting, going with your gut instinct is a great part of the practice.

Yes, and…

If your improv acting partner says, “Wow, I didn’t know you could ride a bike backwards when you’re drunk!” You say, “Yes, and…” to add to the conversation. Saying, “No, I can’t,” ends the conversation. You also don’t want to take time to think of “the right” answer. You instantly had an opinion or a reaction to what your partner said, now go with it. Long, awkward pauses are not good when acting, and this is the same in life. “Yes, and…” is always the answer.

Learning to be Adventurous

I think “uninhibited” has a bad connotation. Instantly, insecure girls dancing on bars and flashing their boobs comes to mind. That’s not being uninhibited. It’s being drunk and stupid. So, I’ll say “adventurous.” Saying, “Yes, and…” can lead to the greatest adventures of your life.

If you see an opportunity, you instantly have a reaction. Don’t second guess yourself and take time for an inner monologue while you’re trying to think of an answer. Say “yes, and…!” Self doubt will get you nowhere in life.

“Maybe I’m not quite ready. Maybe it’s a little early for this to happen to me. But the rules [of yes, and… ] are so ingrained. ‘Say yes, and you’ll figure it out afterward’ has helped me to be more adventurous. It has definitely helped me be less afraid.” Fey, Tina. Tina Fey: ’30 Rock’ Star’s Success Secret: ‘Say Yes’. The Huffington Post. 2013.

Get Out of Your Shell

When I was 19 years old, I was attracted to a poster on a college kiosk that had Mickey Mouse ears on it. It was an advertisement for a co-op called the Walt Disney World College Program. It was a semester long program that required me to move to Lake Buena Vista, Florida, live with a bunch of people I didn’t know, and work for Disney and take classes on hospitality and tourism. The instant answer was YES!

Was I nervous about living in a state far away from my parents? Yes. Was I nervous about living with a bunch of people I did not know? Yes. Did I have doubts that I’d be able to do any of it? Yes. But, did I do it anyways? Yes.

Nothing but good could come from saying yes. And, the experience became the first of many more great adventures just because my instinct was to say yes.

Life is improvisation. – Tina Fey