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September 21, 2006
| Improv Wisdom |
I believe in the 80/20 principle. Ultimately this can mean that you achieve more by doing less.
Patricia Ryan Madsen's book Improv Wisdom: Don't Prepare, Just Show Up aligns well with this vibe.
(there are not many reviews on Amazon UK but the Amazon.com has many 5* comments)
Here are Madsen's thirteen maxims (for more info - buy the book!):
* The First Maxim: Say Yes
Cultivate all the ways you can imagine to express affirmation. When the
answer to all questions is yes, you enter a new world, a world of action, possibility, and
adventure.
Invent a new proverb by speaking it one word at a time. Take a group of people; each adds the next most logical word to what has gone before. Do this quickly without "thinking" of a good idea. When it is clear that the proverb is finished everyone is to put on a "knowing, wise look," tap their fingers together in a prayerlike mudra, and say, "Yes, yes, yes, yes, yes . . . ," affirming the wisdom of the new proverb, which could be utter madness or perhaps pearly joy.
Keith Johnstone from his book, IMPRO: "There are people who prefer to say 'Yes,' and there are people who prefer to say 'No.' Those who say 'Yes' are rewarded by the adventures they have, and those who say 'No' are rewarded by the safety they attain." These words remind us of the power of the positive.
* The Second Maxim: Don't Prepare
* The Third Maxim: Just Show Up
* The Fourth Maxim: Start Anywhere
The realization that you don't have to start at the beginning can be a real "Aha" moment. You don't even have to figure out where the beginning is! If you take one action a second step will naturally reveal itself as needing to be done.
* The Fifth Maxim: Be Average
* The Sixth Maxim: Pay Attention
* The Seventh Maxim: Face the Facts
* The Eighth Maxim: Stay on Course
* The Ninth Maxim: Wake Up to the Gifts
* The Tenth Maxim: Make Mistakes, Please
* The Eleventh Maxim: Act Now
* The Twelfth Maxim: Take Care of Each Other
* The Thirteenth Maxim: Enjoy the Ride
Posted by Mark at September 21, 2006 03:29 PM