The "Aha" Moment

A few years back at a Midwest Association of Colleges and Employers ( MWACE) conference, I went to a workshop that incorporated Improv in order to help people be creative problem-solvers. In one of the exercises we were in groups of 8. We were to go clockwise around the circle and make suggestions to solve problem "A". The person to our left who was next, would say "But what about..." We did this for a few minutes and they stopped us and asked if we had gotten all the way around the circle. Many groups had not. The next exercise was similar except the next person would say "Yes, and...." They stopped us after a few minutes and asked if we had gotten completely around the circle with our suggestions to the problem. Not only had we completed the go-around but some people got to propose ideas twice. The energy was higher, there was excitement and many more ideas flowed as opposed to the "But what about.." session. The point was that we have to be open to ideas, possibilities, and opportunities when they come our way.

In his remarks at last year’s commencement, in May, The New York Times reported, University of Connecticut President Michael Hogan comments. “My first word of advice is this,” he told the graduates. “Say yes. In fact, say yes as often as you can. Saying yes begins things. Saying yes is how things grow. Saying yes leads to new experiences, and new experiences will lead to knowledge and wisdom. Yes is for young people, and an attitude of yes is how you will be able to go forward in these uncertain times.”


One of my favorite writers, comedienne actresses is Tina Fey. In an interview she talks about saying "yes" to opportunities she thought maybe she wasn't yet prepared to do like "Saturday Night Live" and moving up to do the 'Weekend Update' on the show. She said, "Life is improvisation."

Thinking about the challenges that lie ahead in our lives, adapting a creative, improvisational approach may take us down to a very satisfying career path.