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The Improv Mindset: How to Make Improvisation Your Superpower for Success
We improvise every day, but how many times do we get stuck in our heads overthinking?
Now you can learn how to leverage the skills of improv for your life.
Improv isn't just for actors, comedians, and writers, but is one of today’s most powerful tools for success in business, social situations, public speaking, communication, becoming a more fearless person, and just plain having more fun in life. Being able to think quickly on your feet, be in the moment, and to roll with any sudden changes makes any person more confident.
This book will break down these techniques with exercises you can practice both at home and put to use in real-life settings. You'll (and responding) quickerHow to sharpen your sense of humor & creativityLetting go of mental blocks to become more outgoingWays to initiate conversations when you don't know what to sayMaking the most out of every moment (even when you’re nervous)Owning your own personality and using it to accomplish your goalsYou don't have to be born witty to apply these methods, you just have to be taught them and that's what this book will do.
Now you can learn how to leverage the skills of improv for your life.
Improv isn't just for actors, comedians, and writers, but is one of today’s most powerful tools for success in business, social situations, public speaking, communication, becoming a more fearless person, and just plain having more fun in life. Being able to think quickly on your feet, be in the moment, and to roll with any sudden changes makes any person more confident.
This book will break down these techniques with exercises you can practice both at home and put to use in real-life settings. You'll (and responding) quickerHow to sharpen your sense of humor & creativityLetting go of mental blocks to become more outgoingWays to initiate conversations when you don't know what to sayMaking the most out of every moment (even when you’re nervous)Owning your own personality and using it to accomplish your goalsYou don't have to be born witty to apply these methods, you just have to be taught them and that's what this book will do.
359 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 6, 2023
22 people are currently reading
27 people want to read
About the author
Keith Saltojanes
2 books1 followerKeith Saltojanes is the Founder of Improv-LA, the internationally known creative training center based in Los Angeles. He has taught improv techniques to everyday people in over 10 countries and for executives at some of the biggest companies around (including Disney, Netflix, Amazon, IBM). He also has a Guinness World Record for the Longest Improv Show and has written for National Lampoon and for comedians from SNL, MADtv, In Living Color, and Mr. Show.
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
July 1, 2023
We improvise every day, but how many times do we get stuck in our heads overthinking?
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"The Improv Mindset: How to Make Improvisation Your Superpower for Success" is a self-help book by Keith Saltojanes that aims to empower individuals by teaching them how to apply improvisation techniques in their daily lives. The book focuses on enhancing conversation skills, fostering creativity, and progressing both personally and professionally.
As someone who leans toward introversion and tends to overthink, I have always found it easier to express myself online or in small groups of people I'm comfortable with. I've read numerous books on becoming more social and open, but this book intrigued me with its unique approach of incorporating improv into everyday life. I found the concepts presented in the book fascinating and have made personal notes to apply in my own daily life.
The writing style is engaging and conversational, making it feel like you're having a friendly chat with the author. The book includes enjoyable yet thought-provoking exercises that facilitate learning. While some exercises, such as the 'Hot Spot,' may seem a bit unconventional for certain individuals (including myself), most of the exercises are easy to follow, and the guidelines are concise.
Overall, this book appears to have the potential to be helpful. However, its effectiveness can only be truly gauged through real-life application. I believe that if the principles are applied correctly, even small changes in our behavior can greatly boost creativity and confidence.
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Rated 8/10
Melina L. 🐾
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"The Improv Mindset: How to Make Improvisation Your Superpower for Success" is a self-help book by Keith Saltojanes that aims to empower individuals by teaching them how to apply improvisation techniques in their daily lives. The book focuses on enhancing conversation skills, fostering creativity, and progressing both personally and professionally.
As someone who leans toward introversion and tends to overthink, I have always found it easier to express myself online or in small groups of people I'm comfortable with. I've read numerous books on becoming more social and open, but this book intrigued me with its unique approach of incorporating improv into everyday life. I found the concepts presented in the book fascinating and have made personal notes to apply in my own daily life.
The writing style is engaging and conversational, making it feel like you're having a friendly chat with the author. The book includes enjoyable yet thought-provoking exercises that facilitate learning. While some exercises, such as the 'Hot Spot,' may seem a bit unconventional for certain individuals (including myself), most of the exercises are easy to follow, and the guidelines are concise.
Overall, this book appears to have the potential to be helpful. However, its effectiveness can only be truly gauged through real-life application. I believe that if the principles are applied correctly, even small changes in our behavior can greatly boost creativity and confidence.
🐾
Rated 8/10
Melina L. 🐾
September 2, 2023
Book Review
My Ratings - 4.8/5
"The Improv Mindset" by Keith Saltojanes offers an engaging and practical guide to incorporating the principles of improvisation into everyday life. In a world where overthinking and hesitation can hold us back, Saltojanes presents improv not just as a tool for actors and comedians, but as a transformative approach for achieving success in various aspects of life.
Saltojanes emphasizes that the skills developed through improv can be invaluable in business, social interactions, public speaking, and personal growth. The book provides a comprehensive breakdown of these techniques, accompanied by exercises that can be practiced both at home and in real-life situations.
The author delves into key areas such as quick thinking, humor, creativity, overcoming mental blocks, initiating conversations, and making the most of every moment, even in nerve-wracking situations. Through insightful examples and relatable anecdotes, Saltojanes showcases how applying improv principles can lead to enhanced confidence, effective communication, and the ability to adapt to unexpected changes.
One of the book's strengths lies in its accessibility. Saltojanes assures readers that the benefits of the improv mindset can be learned, regardless of their natural wit or extroversion. By breaking down the techniques into manageable steps and providing practical advice, the author empowers readers to embrace their own personalities and harness them to achieve personal and professional goals.
"The Improv Mindset" is a well-structured and engaging read, offering a blend of theory and actionable strategies. Whether you're seeking to improve your social interactions, become a more effective communicator, or simply inject more fun and spontaneity into your life, this book provides a roadmap for integrating the power of improv into your daily experiences. Keith Saltojanes' book invites readers to step out of their comfort zones, embrace uncertainty, and adopt an improv mindset that can lead to greater confidence, creativity, and enjoyment in all areas of life.
My Ratings - 4.8/5
"The Improv Mindset" by Keith Saltojanes offers an engaging and practical guide to incorporating the principles of improvisation into everyday life. In a world where overthinking and hesitation can hold us back, Saltojanes presents improv not just as a tool for actors and comedians, but as a transformative approach for achieving success in various aspects of life.
Saltojanes emphasizes that the skills developed through improv can be invaluable in business, social interactions, public speaking, and personal growth. The book provides a comprehensive breakdown of these techniques, accompanied by exercises that can be practiced both at home and in real-life situations.
The author delves into key areas such as quick thinking, humor, creativity, overcoming mental blocks, initiating conversations, and making the most of every moment, even in nerve-wracking situations. Through insightful examples and relatable anecdotes, Saltojanes showcases how applying improv principles can lead to enhanced confidence, effective communication, and the ability to adapt to unexpected changes.
One of the book's strengths lies in its accessibility. Saltojanes assures readers that the benefits of the improv mindset can be learned, regardless of their natural wit or extroversion. By breaking down the techniques into manageable steps and providing practical advice, the author empowers readers to embrace their own personalities and harness them to achieve personal and professional goals.
"The Improv Mindset" is a well-structured and engaging read, offering a blend of theory and actionable strategies. Whether you're seeking to improve your social interactions, become a more effective communicator, or simply inject more fun and spontaneity into your life, this book provides a roadmap for integrating the power of improv into your daily experiences. Keith Saltojanes' book invites readers to step out of their comfort zones, embrace uncertainty, and adopt an improv mindset that can lead to greater confidence, creativity, and enjoyment in all areas of life.
June 6, 2023
‘You are more powerful than you may think you are’ - Exercises in how to improvise
Improv LA Founder Keith Saltojanes’ new book THE IMPROV MINDSET quite successfully offers an accessible and very valuable guide to incorporate the art of improvisation into business life, communication, public speaking and ‘thinking on your feet.’ His well-known wit and humor pervade the pages of this book. Obviously an expert at improvisation (he has taught his techniques derived from the success of his creative training center in Los Angeles), Keith’s instruction includes how to improvise, how to do a scene, how to be funny, how to overcome fear and be perfect at improv, and more: each category of information is accompanied by exercises that encourage the reader to practice daily until the techniques become habits. His language - ‘Improv means to be in a situation or scenario without anything pre-planned and fully reacting in that moment without knowing what we say beforehand.’ Communication like this proves how accessible Keith’s wise counsel is.’ Try it - you’ll like it!’ Highly recommended for all aspects of spontaneous communication!
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book
Improv LA Founder Keith Saltojanes’ new book THE IMPROV MINDSET quite successfully offers an accessible and very valuable guide to incorporate the art of improvisation into business life, communication, public speaking and ‘thinking on your feet.’ His well-known wit and humor pervade the pages of this book. Obviously an expert at improvisation (he has taught his techniques derived from the success of his creative training center in Los Angeles), Keith’s instruction includes how to improvise, how to do a scene, how to be funny, how to overcome fear and be perfect at improv, and more: each category of information is accompanied by exercises that encourage the reader to practice daily until the techniques become habits. His language - ‘Improv means to be in a situation or scenario without anything pre-planned and fully reacting in that moment without knowing what we say beforehand.’ Communication like this proves how accessible Keith’s wise counsel is.’ Try it - you’ll like it!’ Highly recommended for all aspects of spontaneous communication!
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book
November 18, 2023
Many times, a ‘how-to’ book is boring. However, Keith Saltojanes writes conversationally, creating an informative and fun book. Reading the Improv Mindset is like having a conversation with the author. It is fast-paced and entertaining, and I learned a lot.
Not only does it explain how to do improv, but it gives quick and easy exercises to get better at the craft. The author expands on the craft to include how improv relates to life. The author does a fantastic job of bringing the world of improv into the world of every day. We all improvise every day, and using the exercises within this book can help us overcome the fear and embarrassment that can result. My favourite chapter is dedicated to addressing the reasons you think you can’t do improv and explaining that the fear which holds us back is a blip in our worlds.
There are some editing mistakes, but they don’t take away from the valuable information in the book.
Overall, this is an excellent book if you want to learn improv or how to improvise in life.
Not only does it explain how to do improv, but it gives quick and easy exercises to get better at the craft. The author expands on the craft to include how improv relates to life. The author does a fantastic job of bringing the world of improv into the world of every day. We all improvise every day, and using the exercises within this book can help us overcome the fear and embarrassment that can result. My favourite chapter is dedicated to addressing the reasons you think you can’t do improv and explaining that the fear which holds us back is a blip in our worlds.
There are some editing mistakes, but they don’t take away from the valuable information in the book.
Overall, this is an excellent book if you want to learn improv or how to improvise in life.
April 30, 2023
The Review
This was a well-written and captivating book. The author does an incredible job of showcasing the art of improvisation to its fullest. It was great to see the author not just lay out the work that goes into improv in an almost monotone style of education but rather blended a small amount of storytelling and experience into the book before highlighting each exercise and technique that went into the study of improv.
Yet despite all of the techniques showcased, it was the impact improv has on the reader that really made this a standout book. Rather than hone in on the performative aspect of the art of improv for comedians or performers in general, the book does a remarkable job of showcasing how this art form can help improve the lives of those who struggle with communication and expression overall. Whether you have always had a lifelong case of shyness or suffer from extreme social anxiety, these exercises can help expand the mind and find new ways of expression that can help improve your life in social, business, or professional circumstances.
The Verdict
Memorable, interactive, and educational, author Keith Saltojanes’s “The Improv Mindset” is a must-read nonfiction book on self-improvement, improv, and business. The insights and knowledge the reader will gain from the author’s lessons and the approachable writing style and willingness to allow readers to tackle each chapter one at a time and come back to the book later to make this a truly one-of-a-kind story to behold.
This was a well-written and captivating book. The author does an incredible job of showcasing the art of improvisation to its fullest. It was great to see the author not just lay out the work that goes into improv in an almost monotone style of education but rather blended a small amount of storytelling and experience into the book before highlighting each exercise and technique that went into the study of improv.
Yet despite all of the techniques showcased, it was the impact improv has on the reader that really made this a standout book. Rather than hone in on the performative aspect of the art of improv for comedians or performers in general, the book does a remarkable job of showcasing how this art form can help improve the lives of those who struggle with communication and expression overall. Whether you have always had a lifelong case of shyness or suffer from extreme social anxiety, these exercises can help expand the mind and find new ways of expression that can help improve your life in social, business, or professional circumstances.
The Verdict
Memorable, interactive, and educational, author Keith Saltojanes’s “The Improv Mindset” is a must-read nonfiction book on self-improvement, improv, and business. The insights and knowledge the reader will gain from the author’s lessons and the approachable writing style and willingness to allow readers to tackle each chapter one at a time and come back to the book later to make this a truly one-of-a-kind story to behold.
March 3, 2024
The Improv Mindset by Keith Saltojanes is a well-written book. I can see this actually helping improve life of people everywhere. However, most of us are just too busy to even commit and follow what the writer has so clearly laid out for us, readers. I enjoyed reading this book very much. I will put to use some of this information but overtime, I just do not have enough time to go back and refer to it whenever I need to...If you have the time and really need help then this book is the perfect read for you! It has practical advice that if taken will help improve one's life overall. I have read many of these kinds of books, yet this one really stood out to me. The way the writer has it setup and the way he discusses the information makes it worthwhile.
I received this copy from the publisher. This is my voluntary review.
I received this copy from the publisher. This is my voluntary review.
July 13, 2023
A smart, funny, and compassionate guide to the art of improv--and to getting out of your own head! Saltojanes offers readers a comprehensive course, complete with exercises, goals, and great advice. A must-read for anyone curious about improvisation, or looking to loosen up in their everyday interactions. A book I'll be returning to often! Five stars.
June 1, 2025
first part is just the improv then it starts getting into how this mixes with business and other aspects of day to day things in a way that works well
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews