Say Yes, And to the Unexpected: Everyday Lessons from Improv

Jeffrey McNabb
Aug 17
2 min read

Turning ideas into action — coworkers celebrate collaboration with a handshake, proving that teamwork beats conflict every time.

Life rarely sticks to the script. The meeting that was supposed to run 30 minutes? It stretches into an hour. The family dinner you carefully planned? The oven decides today is the day to quit. That dream vacation? Flight canceled.

Our first instinct in these moments is usually frustration, resistance, or a flat-out “Nope, I don’t have time for this.” But here’s the thing: improv teaches us a better way to handle life’s curveballs.

The Improv Secret: Yes, And

At the heart of improv comedy is the principle of “Yes, And.” It’s simple but powerful:

Yes — Accept what’s been given.
And — Add something to move it forward.

In a scene, if someone says, “Quick, the spaceship is taking off without us!” and you reply, “That’s not a spaceship, that’s a bus stop,” the energy dies. But if you say, “Yes, and I already packed our moon snacks!” suddenly the story has lift-off.

Now imagine applying that mindset to real life.

Turning Stress into Possibility

Say your boss drops a surprise project on your desk at 4:45 pm. Instead of groaning, “No, I can’t deal with this right now,” a “Yes, And” mindset sounds like:

“Yes, this is last-minute, and here’s how I can prioritize it to make progress before tomorrow.”

Same situation, less stress. By accepting the reality and choosing to add something of value, you shift from resistance to possibility.

Building Stronger Relationships

“Yes, And” isn’t just about problem-solving — it’s also about connection. When you apply it in conversations, you’re signaling that you’re truly listening and building on what the other person said.

Think of a family disagreement:

“No, that’s a terrible idea.” → shuts things down.
“Yes, I see why you’d want that, and here’s another angle we might try.” → keeps the dialogue moving.

People don’t need you to agree with everything. They just want to feel heard. “Yes, And” gives them that gift.

Sparking Creativity

Want to break out of routine thinking? Try a “Yes, And” brainstorm. Instead of judging ideas as they come, build on them.

For example:

“We could host a neighborhood barbecue.”
“Yes, and let’s add a karaoke contest.”
“Yes, and everyone brings a dish from their culture.”

By the third “And,” you’ve gone from a plain cookout to a community-building festival. That’s the magic of playful collaboration.

Try This at Home: A Mini Exercise

Here’s a quick way to bring “Yes, And” into your daily life:

Grab a friend, partner, or co-worker.
Start telling a story one sentence at a time.
Every sentence must begin with “Yes, and…”

Example:

“Yes, and we’re driving across the country in a banana car.”
“Yes, and we stop in Kansas to refuel with whipped cream.”
“Yes, and the mayor of Topeka joins us for the ride.”

You’ll be laughing — and without realizing it, you’ll also be practicing acceptance, creativity, and collaboration.

Final Thought

Life will always throw the unexpected our way. We can resist it, or we can improvise. With a “Yes, And” mindset, we don’t just get through the chaos — we find ways to make it fun, meaningful, and even magical.