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Improv Wisdom: Don't Prepare, Just Show Up
In an irresistible invitation to lighten up, look around, and live an unscripted life, a master of the art of improvisation explains how to adopt the attitudes and techniques used by generations of musicians and actors.
Let’s face it: Life is something we all make up as we go along. No matter how carefully we formulate a “script,” it is bound to change when we interact with people with scripts of their own. Improv Wisdom shows how to apply the maxims of improvisational theater to real-life challenges—whether it’s dealing with a demanding boss, a tired child, or one of life’s never-ending surprises. Patricia Madson distills thirty years of experience into thirteen simple strategies, including “Say Yes,” “Start Anywhere,” “Face the Facts,” and “Make Mistakes, Please,” helping readers to loosen up, think on their feet, and take on everything life has to offer with skill, chutzpah, and a sense of humor.
Let’s face it: Life is something we all make up as we go along. No matter how carefully we formulate a “script,” it is bound to change when we interact with people with scripts of their own. Improv Wisdom shows how to apply the maxims of improvisational theater to real-life challenges—whether it’s dealing with a demanding boss, a tired child, or one of life’s never-ending surprises. Patricia Madson distills thirty years of experience into thirteen simple strategies, including “Say Yes,” “Start Anywhere,” “Face the Facts,” and “Make Mistakes, Please,” helping readers to loosen up, think on their feet, and take on everything life has to offer with skill, chutzpah, and a sense of humor.
160 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2005
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June 19, 2013
**Living well = Improvising wisely**
Ohmygoodness. Is this book ever a gift!
I actually checked this book out of the library a few years ago, and life happened, and I never got a chance to read it before it was due. But then, the Universe sent me a gentle reminder (thanks, L!) that this wisdom was just what I needed to read. Right here. Right now.
Right on.
Just looking at the book's table of contents (which has an uncanny overlap to my own working draft of How To Do Life) was soul-jolting:
1. Say yes
2. Don't prepare
3. Just show up
4. Start anywhere
5. Be average
6. Pay attention
7. Face the facts
8. Stay on course
9. Wake up to the gifts
10. Make mistakes, please
11. Act now
12. Take care of each other
13. Enjoy the ride
Needless to say, I was enthralled with every line of this book. (And, the spaces in between.) The author does a remarkable job in illustrating how the same principles that make for good improv, also make for good life. Life, after all is a series of improv acts, and although knowing the basic script is helpful, knowing how to be flexible, focused, forgiving, and yes, funny, are the ingredients that ultimately matter most.
In an effort to preserve this book's wisdom in eternal space (the next closest thing being this space here on goodreads.com), I'm going to include the key points that the author makes for each of the 13 maxims above. Hopefully, they'll also encourage you to get your hands on your own copy of this wise, wise book:
1. Say yes (p. 34)
* Just say yes.
* Become a "can do" person.
* Look for the positive spin, for what is right.
* Agree with those around you.
* Cultivate yes phrases: "You bet"; "You are right'; `Good idea"; etc.
* Substitute "Yes *and*" for "Yes *but*." Add something to build the conversation.
* Exercise the yes muscle. This builds optimism and hope.
2. Don't prepare (p. 44)
* Give up planning. Drop the habit of thinking ahead.
* Attend carefully to what is happening right now.
* Allow yourself to be surprised.
* Stockpiling ideas for future use is unnecessary.
* Trust your imagination. There is always something in the box.
* Welcome whatever floats into your mind.
* Fear is a matter of misplaced attention. Focus on redirecting it.
3. Just show up (p. 52)
* Walk, run, bike, skip to the places that you need to be.
* Motivation is not a prerequisite for showing up.
* Start your day with what is important.
* Use rituals to get things going.
* Showing up to help others is already service.
* Change your vantage point and refresh your mind.
* Location, location, location--in real estate and in life.
* Be on time for the sake of others.
* Show up on time for yourself. Lost time is never found.
4. Start anywhere (p. 59)
* All starting points are equally valid.
* Begin with what seems obvious.
* Once it is under way any task seems smaller.
* When speaking in public don't use a script. Write down questions and answer them.
* Talk to your audience. Don't give a lecture.
* Trust your mind.
* Edit and develop ideas *as* you speak.
5. Be average (p. 66)
* Close enough is perfect.
* Dare to be dull.
* Think "inside" the box.
* Celebrate the obvious.
* What is ordinary to you is often a revelation to others.
* Remember "classics" or "favorites" can be fresh ideas, too.
* Don't make jokes. Make sense.
6. Pay attention (p. 76)
* Life *is* attention.
* Notice everything, particularly the details.
* Become a detective.
* Shift your attention from yourself to others.
* Make an effort to remember names and faces.
* Keep on waking up.
* This moment only happens once. Treasure it.
* Avoid multitasking. Attend to one thing at a time.
7. Face the facts (p. 83)
* Don't fight reality.
* Accept other people as they are.
* Work with what you have been given.
* What *are* the facts? You are probably not noticing all of them.
* Embrace the wobble.
* Insecurity is normal. Count on it.
8. Stay on course (p. 88)
* Every improvisation has a point.
* Don't let feelings alone run your show.
* There is meaning in everything we do, even small tasks.
* Keep an eye on where you are going. If you miss the target, adjust your aim.
* Ask often "What is my purpose?"
* What would not get done if you were not here?
9. Wake up to the gifts (p. 102)
* Notice that the glass is half full.
* Treasure the details.
* Who or what is helping you right now?
* Make a point of thanking those with thankless jobs.
* What are you doing to give back?
* Keep the gift moving forward.
* Our smallest actions count. Everything we do has the potential to help others.
* Make "thank you" your mantra.
10. Make mistakes, please (p. 113)
* If you are not making mistakes, you are not improvising.
* Be like a turtle: stick our your neck to make progress.
* When you screw up, say "Ta-dah!" and take a bow.
* Mistake? Focus on what comes next.
* Let go of outcomes. Cultivate a flexible mind.
* Mistakes may actually be blessings.
* Become a confident mistake-maker. Lighten up.
* Try bricolage--use what is there artfully.
* Admitting a mistake shows character.
11. Act now (p. 122)
* The essence of improving is action.
* Act in order to discover what comes next.
* You don't need to feel like doing something to do it.
* Schedule a difficult task and stick to your timetable.
* Invite a buddy to join you in doing what you need to do.
* Do the hard things first.
* To find a new perspective, try doing something a different way.
* Sometimes *not doing* is what is needed.
* If you can't get out of it, *get into it*.
12. Take care of each other (p. 136)
* Be someone's guardian angel. Make your partner look good.
* Rescue or join someone struggling.
* Share control; don't hog it.
* Kindness is essential during chaos or a crisis.
* Try giving yourself away.
* Always put positive thoughts into words and action.
* Do "random acts of kindness."
* Put other people's convenience ahead of your own.
* Listen as if your life depended on it.
* Deliver more than you promise.
13. Enjoy the ride (p. 143)
* Find joy in whatever you are doing, including ordinary tasks.
* Look for ways to play. Play is essential to human growth.
* Learning is enhanced when we lighten up.
* Laughter is good medicine.
* If something is not to your liking, change your liking.
* Give away smiles every day.
* Do something just for the fun of it.
Perhaps a slight edit to Shakespeare's quote is in order:
All the world's a stage, and all the women and men merely improvisors.
May we all improvise wisely!
(With this 20-years-in-the-making book serving as the sage that sets the stage.)
Ohmygoodness. Is this book ever a gift!
I actually checked this book out of the library a few years ago, and life happened, and I never got a chance to read it before it was due. But then, the Universe sent me a gentle reminder (thanks, L!) that this wisdom was just what I needed to read. Right here. Right now.
Right on.
Just looking at the book's table of contents (which has an uncanny overlap to my own working draft of How To Do Life) was soul-jolting:
1. Say yes
2. Don't prepare
3. Just show up
4. Start anywhere
5. Be average
6. Pay attention
7. Face the facts
8. Stay on course
9. Wake up to the gifts
10. Make mistakes, please
11. Act now
12. Take care of each other
13. Enjoy the ride
Needless to say, I was enthralled with every line of this book. (And, the spaces in between.) The author does a remarkable job in illustrating how the same principles that make for good improv, also make for good life. Life, after all is a series of improv acts, and although knowing the basic script is helpful, knowing how to be flexible, focused, forgiving, and yes, funny, are the ingredients that ultimately matter most.
In an effort to preserve this book's wisdom in eternal space (the next closest thing being this space here on goodreads.com), I'm going to include the key points that the author makes for each of the 13 maxims above. Hopefully, they'll also encourage you to get your hands on your own copy of this wise, wise book:
1. Say yes (p. 34)
* Just say yes.
* Become a "can do" person.
* Look for the positive spin, for what is right.
* Agree with those around you.
* Cultivate yes phrases: "You bet"; "You are right'; `Good idea"; etc.
* Substitute "Yes *and*" for "Yes *but*." Add something to build the conversation.
* Exercise the yes muscle. This builds optimism and hope.
2. Don't prepare (p. 44)
* Give up planning. Drop the habit of thinking ahead.
* Attend carefully to what is happening right now.
* Allow yourself to be surprised.
* Stockpiling ideas for future use is unnecessary.
* Trust your imagination. There is always something in the box.
* Welcome whatever floats into your mind.
* Fear is a matter of misplaced attention. Focus on redirecting it.
3. Just show up (p. 52)
* Walk, run, bike, skip to the places that you need to be.
* Motivation is not a prerequisite for showing up.
* Start your day with what is important.
* Use rituals to get things going.
* Showing up to help others is already service.
* Change your vantage point and refresh your mind.
* Location, location, location--in real estate and in life.
* Be on time for the sake of others.
* Show up on time for yourself. Lost time is never found.
4. Start anywhere (p. 59)
* All starting points are equally valid.
* Begin with what seems obvious.
* Once it is under way any task seems smaller.
* When speaking in public don't use a script. Write down questions and answer them.
* Talk to your audience. Don't give a lecture.
* Trust your mind.
* Edit and develop ideas *as* you speak.
5. Be average (p. 66)
* Close enough is perfect.
* Dare to be dull.
* Think "inside" the box.
* Celebrate the obvious.
* What is ordinary to you is often a revelation to others.
* Remember "classics" or "favorites" can be fresh ideas, too.
* Don't make jokes. Make sense.
6. Pay attention (p. 76)
* Life *is* attention.
* Notice everything, particularly the details.
* Become a detective.
* Shift your attention from yourself to others.
* Make an effort to remember names and faces.
* Keep on waking up.
* This moment only happens once. Treasure it.
* Avoid multitasking. Attend to one thing at a time.
7. Face the facts (p. 83)
* Don't fight reality.
* Accept other people as they are.
* Work with what you have been given.
* What *are* the facts? You are probably not noticing all of them.
* Embrace the wobble.
* Insecurity is normal. Count on it.
8. Stay on course (p. 88)
* Every improvisation has a point.
* Don't let feelings alone run your show.
* There is meaning in everything we do, even small tasks.
* Keep an eye on where you are going. If you miss the target, adjust your aim.
* Ask often "What is my purpose?"
* What would not get done if you were not here?
9. Wake up to the gifts (p. 102)
* Notice that the glass is half full.
* Treasure the details.
* Who or what is helping you right now?
* Make a point of thanking those with thankless jobs.
* What are you doing to give back?
* Keep the gift moving forward.
* Our smallest actions count. Everything we do has the potential to help others.
* Make "thank you" your mantra.
10. Make mistakes, please (p. 113)
* If you are not making mistakes, you are not improvising.
* Be like a turtle: stick our your neck to make progress.
* When you screw up, say "Ta-dah!" and take a bow.
* Mistake? Focus on what comes next.
* Let go of outcomes. Cultivate a flexible mind.
* Mistakes may actually be blessings.
* Become a confident mistake-maker. Lighten up.
* Try bricolage--use what is there artfully.
* Admitting a mistake shows character.
11. Act now (p. 122)
* The essence of improving is action.
* Act in order to discover what comes next.
* You don't need to feel like doing something to do it.
* Schedule a difficult task and stick to your timetable.
* Invite a buddy to join you in doing what you need to do.
* Do the hard things first.
* To find a new perspective, try doing something a different way.
* Sometimes *not doing* is what is needed.
* If you can't get out of it, *get into it*.
12. Take care of each other (p. 136)
* Be someone's guardian angel. Make your partner look good.
* Rescue or join someone struggling.
* Share control; don't hog it.
* Kindness is essential during chaos or a crisis.
* Try giving yourself away.
* Always put positive thoughts into words and action.
* Do "random acts of kindness."
* Put other people's convenience ahead of your own.
* Listen as if your life depended on it.
* Deliver more than you promise.
13. Enjoy the ride (p. 143)
* Find joy in whatever you are doing, including ordinary tasks.
* Look for ways to play. Play is essential to human growth.
* Learning is enhanced when we lighten up.
* Laughter is good medicine.
* If something is not to your liking, change your liking.
* Give away smiles every day.
* Do something just for the fun of it.
Perhaps a slight edit to Shakespeare's quote is in order:
All the world's a stage, and all the women and men merely improvisors.
May we all improvise wisely!
(With this 20-years-in-the-making book serving as the sage that sets the stage.)
March 19, 2014
Not what I expected. This is more about adding variety and enjoyment to your life.
She gives suggestions like go to bed 1 hour earlier, get up 1 hour earlier, walk a different way when going someplace. For one day smile at everyone you see. Say thank you frequently and with details. Mistakes are good.
My favorite improv rule is say “Yes And.” Don’t say “Yes But.” Also don’t say “No.” I heard that before I read this book, and I was hoping for more ideas like that, which I did not get. I was also hoping for a lot of examples from improv skits. I only remember one example, but there may have been more. The example I remember was about the value of making “mistakes.” The skit was a group of nuns. One of them was named Sister Agnes. A guy knocks at the door and asks for Sister Agnes. The girl says I’ll go get her. Then she realizes she was Sister Agnes, so she says something like “Oh I forgot, that’s me. Sometimes we nuns all look alike.”
I do not recommend this for someone who wants to learn about improv on stage. I see it as how to open yourself up to new things in life. I might have given it more stars if she added a lot of skit examples.
AUDIOBOOK NARRATOR:
The author narrates her own book. She was a good reader, but her accent had an interrupting effect, not bad but it was there. I kept wondering what it was when she said words like Stuart, student, and our.
DATA:
Unabridged audiobook length: 4 hrs and 55 mins. The book is 160 pages. Swearing and sexual content: none. Book copyright: 2005. Genre: self help psychology.
She gives suggestions like go to bed 1 hour earlier, get up 1 hour earlier, walk a different way when going someplace. For one day smile at everyone you see. Say thank you frequently and with details. Mistakes are good.
My favorite improv rule is say “Yes And.” Don’t say “Yes But.” Also don’t say “No.” I heard that before I read this book, and I was hoping for more ideas like that, which I did not get. I was also hoping for a lot of examples from improv skits. I only remember one example, but there may have been more. The example I remember was about the value of making “mistakes.” The skit was a group of nuns. One of them was named Sister Agnes. A guy knocks at the door and asks for Sister Agnes. The girl says I’ll go get her. Then she realizes she was Sister Agnes, so she says something like “Oh I forgot, that’s me. Sometimes we nuns all look alike.”
I do not recommend this for someone who wants to learn about improv on stage. I see it as how to open yourself up to new things in life. I might have given it more stars if she added a lot of skit examples.
AUDIOBOOK NARRATOR:
The author narrates her own book. She was a good reader, but her accent had an interrupting effect, not bad but it was there. I kept wondering what it was when she said words like Stuart, student, and our.
DATA:
Unabridged audiobook length: 4 hrs and 55 mins. The book is 160 pages. Swearing and sexual content: none. Book copyright: 2005. Genre: self help psychology.
April 1, 2014
This isn't really a book about improv. It's a life philosophy inspired by improv principles. Mostly, it can be summed up as relax, say yes more often, be okay with mistakes, and be present in the moment. It's not bad advice in general. It isn't particularly powerful and it certainly isn't original.
She most often quotes other Zen thinkers, along with a few other sources. She shares her story (from careful rule follower to free spirited improv teacher) and it's both relevant and fun to learn.
It was well written. Maybe I'm skewed because I have a lot theater training in my background, but I was underwhelmed with the depth of insight.
She most often quotes other Zen thinkers, along with a few other sources. She shares her story (from careful rule follower to free spirited improv teacher) and it's both relevant and fun to learn.
It was well written. Maybe I'm skewed because I have a lot theater training in my background, but I was underwhelmed with the depth of insight.
October 15, 2021
Life Wisdom
Review of the original Harmony hardcover edition (2005)
I heard about Patricia Ryan Madson's Improv Wisdom thanks to my being on writer Steven Pressfield's mailing list where a regular feature is "Books I Love". It linked to his original blog post about the book from back in 2009.
Although the book is ostensibly about Madson's career long learned experience from teaching theatrical improvisation, the simple rules or phrases that make up her 13-point maxims list are applicable to just about any other activity, whether it is for work or play or just about life itself.
1. Say Yes = be open to new experiences
2. Don’t Prepare = don't be too rigid about how to proceed
3. Just Show Up = be present in the moment
4. Start Anywhere = don't fret about how to start
5. Be Average = don't worry about being fantastic
6. Pay attention = be aware
7. Face the Facts = accept truths
8. Stay on Course = don't be distracted
9. Wake up to the gifts = appreciate everything given
10. Make Mistakes, Please = don't be afraid to fail
11. Act Now = don't wait to start
12. Take Care of Each Other = help others and you will help yourself
13. Enjoy the Ride = enjoy the present moment
A lot of this may seem like common sense, but it is just wonderful to have it reinforced in such a straight forward manner filled with anecdotes of Madson's life experiences and teaching moments.
Review of the original Harmony hardcover edition (2005)
I heard about Patricia Ryan Madson's Improv Wisdom thanks to my being on writer Steven Pressfield's mailing list where a regular feature is "Books I Love". It linked to his original blog post about the book from back in 2009.
Although the book is ostensibly about Madson's career long learned experience from teaching theatrical improvisation, the simple rules or phrases that make up her 13-point maxims list are applicable to just about any other activity, whether it is for work or play or just about life itself.
1. Say Yes = be open to new experiences
2. Don’t Prepare = don't be too rigid about how to proceed
3. Just Show Up = be present in the moment
4. Start Anywhere = don't fret about how to start
5. Be Average = don't worry about being fantastic
6. Pay attention = be aware
7. Face the Facts = accept truths
8. Stay on Course = don't be distracted
9. Wake up to the gifts = appreciate everything given
10. Make Mistakes, Please = don't be afraid to fail
11. Act Now = don't wait to start
12. Take Care of Each Other = help others and you will help yourself
13. Enjoy the Ride = enjoy the present moment
A lot of this may seem like common sense, but it is just wonderful to have it reinforced in such a straight forward manner filled with anecdotes of Madson's life experiences and teaching moments.
February 16, 2013
there's so much wisdom in these 160 pages, and although it may sound improv-focused, the content really applies to your whole life. what's great about this book is that ideas are simple and concise, really packing all of the author's thoughts into the fewest words possible - it's an efficient book.
i especially love how "just show up" is in the title, as madson says a lot about how being in the room and also full present already goes a long way towards getting somewhere. i think back on this week at work already and look at how many colleagues show up 5 or 15 minutes late when the meeting has already started, or people are on their phones instead of in the room. the simple maxim of focused attention on collaborative activities goes a long way towards the success of achieving something as a team.
i'm not really a book buyer and carry my library card everywhere i go, but these ideas are worth revisiting time and time again. we lose our way with the busy and distracted nature of living life in america. it's a work i would pick up again to refresh my thinking in a few years.
i especially love how "just show up" is in the title, as madson says a lot about how being in the room and also full present already goes a long way towards getting somewhere. i think back on this week at work already and look at how many colleagues show up 5 or 15 minutes late when the meeting has already started, or people are on their phones instead of in the room. the simple maxim of focused attention on collaborative activities goes a long way towards the success of achieving something as a team.
i'm not really a book buyer and carry my library card everywhere i go, but these ideas are worth revisiting time and time again. we lose our way with the busy and distracted nature of living life in america. it's a work i would pick up again to refresh my thinking in a few years.
April 21, 2014
The first half is good, and inspiring as it hits the high points of improv -- say "yes", for example. That's the best tip in the book, and unfortunately, I already knew it, so I didn't find much new here. And the second half of the book loses its way into the self help pathos, which was a downer after the excitement of the beginning.
November 10, 2008
The day I was reading the first maxim, I was asked by my daughter (21 years) to take her to the university by car… usually I would have said “no, take your bus and don’t bother me, please” but instead I said “ok, I will do” and it was very special to me, to see a special light in her eyes for this unexpected answer!! “just show up” was a reason to go to a meeting with people I didn’t know and it was a very pleasant opportunity to meet new persons.. I have to practice very much..
To me “improv” is also not having any clues about what to do, and most of the times I had to improv I were in dramatical and sad situations, as no one taught me how to act in these moments… so it is important to remember, and Patricia said also this, that you can ask for help, as you are not alone- our time is so short that we couldn’t waste it :-) and meaningless acts of kindness make our lives better. Thank you Patricia.
To me “improv” is also not having any clues about what to do, and most of the times I had to improv I were in dramatical and sad situations, as no one taught me how to act in these moments… so it is important to remember, and Patricia said also this, that you can ask for help, as you are not alone- our time is so short that we couldn’t waste it :-) and meaningless acts of kindness make our lives better. Thank you Patricia.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 18, 2014
There's a lot of good advice in this pop psych/self-help book - but it is a pop psych/self-help book. I wanted more substance, more depth. It's an interesting take on pop psych to use the rules of improvisation to give life advice, but it is lite, lite, lite. (Spelling, here, is deliberate.)
January 12, 2018
Либо я такая умная, либо что-то со мной не так... Вокруг восторженные отзывы, рецензии, а для меня - набор штампов и банальностей.
Две цитаты, которые выписала себе в читательский дневник:
1) Лучшие вещи в мире - не вещи.
2) Страх - это неверно направленное внимание.
Две цитаты, которые выписала себе в читательский дневник:
1) Лучшие вещи в мире - не вещи.
2) Страх - это неверно направленное внимание.
June 21, 2011
Because of this book... I make my bed every morning!
February 22, 2024
Nice book about how to live life in a more positive fashion!
July 1, 2012
13 maxims or rules proposed.
I think the book makes a lot of sense i.e. provides an 'alternative'/complementary view to a structured way of thinking. It's everything but preplanned, detailed analysis and structured thinking. Of course the longer term of things should be planned e.g. education, work, health etc but it's the moments throughout the journey that things should be held in tension, i.e. alternating between careful planning and spontaneous action.
Highly recommend this book to people with structured thinking. Read it with an open mind.
I think the book makes a lot of sense i.e. provides an 'alternative'/complementary view to a structured way of thinking. It's everything but preplanned, detailed analysis and structured thinking. Of course the longer term of things should be planned e.g. education, work, health etc but it's the moments throughout the journey that things should be held in tension, i.e. alternating between careful planning and spontaneous action.
Highly recommend this book to people with structured thinking. Read it with an open mind.
September 23, 2018
A good, non-intimidating intro to the principles of Improv. In a very applicable wisdom, the author breaks it into entertaining and consumable chunks. This definitely lays foundation for me to tackle the works of Keith Johnstone and others.
September 7, 2019
The subtle book explaining how to be Santuy (stay relax, everything will end okay) person. Here are what I got and I have been emplemented of:
1. Try to subtitute 'yes' on every agenda of life.
2. Planning impedes our ability to see what in front of us. I've implemented this while I stayed with 10 people in a home seized 21 m2 and all of them are girls. It worked well to dodge sentimental character women having while we are faced problems.
3. Showing up is a critical element. It is identifying the habit we wish to had. And I do believe by changing location will help cohort meeting will improve productive ideas.
4. Be average. "Say what you want to say in the way that seems natural to you."
5. Pay attention. Appreciate the name of people not only remembering, pronounce it properly. Means guide you how you appreciate your life living.
6. Face the facts. Insecurity is normal, count on it.
7. Stay in course. Implementing as often "What is my purpose?" on every new activity is a good choice.
8. Wake up to the gifts. Give thank you mantra on every jobness or less to people utterly addictive to sustain it.
9. Mistakes are our friends, our partners in the game. They are necessary. Because when you make a mistake, turn your attention to what comes next. Focus on doing that well, with full mind and heart. Look ahead, not back. But if your mistake creates a problem for others, don't forget to apologize. Patricia explained solemn mistakes could happen on 2 types: planner and improviser, once, mistakes, are a natural and inevitable part of living: they will happen whether we adopt one of them from both:
"There is always something in the box-- reality puts it there. Unconsciously, there is a life."
"Use two hands to carry one thing instead of one hand to carry two things."
1. Try to subtitute 'yes' on every agenda of life.
2. Planning impedes our ability to see what in front of us. I've implemented this while I stayed with 10 people in a home seized 21 m2 and all of them are girls. It worked well to dodge sentimental character women having while we are faced problems.
3. Showing up is a critical element. It is identifying the habit we wish to had. And I do believe by changing location will help cohort meeting will improve productive ideas.
4. Be average. "Say what you want to say in the way that seems natural to you."
5. Pay attention. Appreciate the name of people not only remembering, pronounce it properly. Means guide you how you appreciate your life living.
6. Face the facts. Insecurity is normal, count on it.
7. Stay in course. Implementing as often "What is my purpose?" on every new activity is a good choice.
8. Wake up to the gifts. Give thank you mantra on every jobness or less to people utterly addictive to sustain it.
9. Mistakes are our friends, our partners in the game. They are necessary. Because when you make a mistake, turn your attention to what comes next. Focus on doing that well, with full mind and heart. Look ahead, not back. But if your mistake creates a problem for others, don't forget to apologize. Patricia explained solemn mistakes could happen on 2 types: planner and improviser, once, mistakes, are a natural and inevitable part of living: they will happen whether we adopt one of them from both:
"There is always something in the box-- reality puts it there. Unconsciously, there is a life."
"Use two hands to carry one thing instead of one hand to carry two things."
June 7, 2018
This is definitely not a typical self-help book: it's laconic, precise and not repetitive, and I found it very inspiring and full of helpful practical advice and exercises. Especially good for someone like me who is constantly making plans and writing lists and then gets upset when things (inevitably) take an unexpected turn.
For me the most important message of this book was about embracing uncertainty and insecurity and living a fuller and more colorful - unscripted - life. Which also reminds me of a Tove Yansson's (or rather her character Too-Ticky's) quote that I really like: "All things are so very uncertain, and that's exactly what makes me feel reassured."
For me the most important message of this book was about embracing uncertainty and insecurity and living a fuller and more colorful - unscripted - life. Which also reminds me of a Tove Yansson's (or rather her character Too-Ticky's) quote that I really like: "All things are so very uncertain, and that's exactly what makes me feel reassured."
October 23, 2017
This is a gem of a book about improvisational acting and about principles of improv.
I wasn't reading it to learn so much about acting, per se, as I was looking for ways to apply the principles to my vocation of chaplaincy. Patricia Ryan Madson anticipates that many readers may be looking to do just that and has plenty of helpful "real-life" examples.
An enjoyable, quick read.
I wasn't reading it to learn so much about acting, per se, as I was looking for ways to apply the principles to my vocation of chaplaincy. Patricia Ryan Madson anticipates that many readers may be looking to do just that and has plenty of helpful "real-life" examples.
An enjoyable, quick read.
April 24, 2025
i can't believe this is who i am now
March 19, 2025
3 ⭐️📖
Succinct and sharp little book offering a variety of principles and mindset/behavioural shifts people can explore to find more meaning in their lives. A quick and easy read though I found it quite high level, so not as enduring.
Succinct and sharp little book offering a variety of principles and mindset/behavioural shifts people can explore to find more meaning in their lives. A quick and easy read though I found it quite high level, so not as enduring.
April 5, 2020
If you are a lazy person this book for you :)
May 10, 2021
I'll mark this as a favorite, easily. Not only is this a lesson on how to show up and be present and optimistic, but it is a book full of great life advice and self-help. I would recommend this to anyone who is in a funk and needs a pick me up from an unexpected source. It was a delight to read and I learned a lot that can be applicable to my life and work in many ways. For anyone needing inspiration this is a great resource.
March 28, 2024
Good life advice, didn’t finish
December 14, 2010
Improv wisdom, by Patricia Ryan Madson, is a delightful book that invites the reader to apply 13 basic principles (or “maxims”) of improvisation to our daily life situations. While clearly rooted in the tenets of improvisation, the book also reveals subtle influences of Eastern thought including Zen and Yoga which, like improve, guide us to be fully focused in the present moment, and direct our thoughts and energies towards harmony, collaboration, and kindness. The maxims are:
1. Say Yes
2. Don’t Prepare
3. Just Show Up
4. Start Anywhere
5. Be Average
6. Pay attention
7. Face the Facts
8. Stay on Course
9. Wake up to the gifts
10. Make Mistakes, Please
11. Act Now
12. Take Care of Each Other
13. Enjoy the Ride
While these maxims could be considered trite or obvious, Madson does a beautiful job using stories, quotes and historical references, to flesh out the deeper truths behind each. Perhaps more importantly she offers a number of “Try This” practical exercises in each chapter which help ground the truth of the material in the actual experience of each reader. There is much wisdom to be had in this relatively slim volume, and Madson’s compassionate, human, and humorous voice makes it a thoroughly engaging and enjoyable read.
1. Say Yes
2. Don’t Prepare
3. Just Show Up
4. Start Anywhere
5. Be Average
6. Pay attention
7. Face the Facts
8. Stay on Course
9. Wake up to the gifts
10. Make Mistakes, Please
11. Act Now
12. Take Care of Each Other
13. Enjoy the Ride
While these maxims could be considered trite or obvious, Madson does a beautiful job using stories, quotes and historical references, to flesh out the deeper truths behind each. Perhaps more importantly she offers a number of “Try This” practical exercises in each chapter which help ground the truth of the material in the actual experience of each reader. There is much wisdom to be had in this relatively slim volume, and Madson’s compassionate, human, and humorous voice makes it a thoroughly engaging and enjoyable read.
May 6, 2021
Some of the things I am most grateful for are the opportunities I’ve had to meet truly inspiring and amazing people. One of those people, Liam, recommended this book to me. Liam is a peer in age, but embodies a thoughtfulness and intentionality far beyond his years. When he said he read this book in high school and it changed his life, I added it to my short list.
Improv Wisdom is unpretentious and poignant. It’s a mental recalibration towards a reality in which you are not the protagonist of your story, but rather a player, giving and receiving gifts from those around you. The maxim’s of improv are rooted in this belief, and for most of us, at first, it’s an idea that can feel a bit foreign. If it does, read this book. Try it on for a little while. It might fit better than you think.
For an improviser, gratitude, generosity, and selflessness do not sit opposed to confidence and self assurance, they sit harmoniously alongside. An improviser embodies mindfulness and a trust in their instincts. It’s only once we allow ourselves to think *inside* the box, to honor what might be our first intuition, that we are able to properly adapt to and give back the gifts we receive from those around us. Living this balance is the improv pursuit.
Be an improviser.
Improv Wisdom is unpretentious and poignant. It’s a mental recalibration towards a reality in which you are not the protagonist of your story, but rather a player, giving and receiving gifts from those around you. The maxim’s of improv are rooted in this belief, and for most of us, at first, it’s an idea that can feel a bit foreign. If it does, read this book. Try it on for a little while. It might fit better than you think.
For an improviser, gratitude, generosity, and selflessness do not sit opposed to confidence and self assurance, they sit harmoniously alongside. An improviser embodies mindfulness and a trust in their instincts. It’s only once we allow ourselves to think *inside* the box, to honor what might be our first intuition, that we are able to properly adapt to and give back the gifts we receive from those around us. Living this balance is the improv pursuit.
Be an improviser.
June 20, 2016
This book is a wonderful introduction to the philosophy and methods of Improv. The author clearly illustrates how anyone can benefit from applying these methods to their personal lives. The concept of just saying yes, which is the key to improv, seems so simple. However, it can also be profoundly transforming. I highly recommend this book.
February 6, 2014
What a great little book! I had a feeling that working with improv could be a spiritual experience, and, sure enough, a friend pointed me to this little work. I want to try doing a spirituality group focused on the exercises here.
January 10, 2016
:-) :-) :-) Thank you, Jane!!
January 21, 2016
Quick and insightful read. Think of this book and it's ideas as more of a manifesto or philosophy of life. Definitely gleaned some great concepts I intend to internalize!
January 7, 2017
Improv meets real life.
I a little Improv in your life. Not necessarily an Improv guide or handbook but touches on Improv and real life.
I a little Improv in your life. Not necessarily an Improv guide or handbook but touches on Improv and real life.
June 29, 2019
I have mixed feelings about this book. But I guess I'll improvise a review for it.
I don't usually read self-help books. Or pop psychology books. Or whatever you want to call this. The book contains thirteen maxims for improving your life. These lessons are drawn from Madson's decades of experience as a drama professor at Stanford and are also influenced by eastern philosophy.
The book is a quick and easy read...but I did it wrong. Each short chapter has a few suggestions/exercises...which I mostly ignored unless I could do them in that time and place. Key ideas are listed in point form at the end of the chapter, so if you're feeling lazy you can just read those. Madson's style is colloquial and full of anecdotes, which made it seem "fluffy," but, at the same time, I'm glad that this isn't a more intense read.
I always thought that I was decent at improvising (not in the dramatic sense, but in the every day handling of my life). I discovered that I'm actually pretty bad at it. I suppose that in some ways I'm the perfect target audience for this book, but in other ways I'm everything that's the enemy of improvisation—a naysayer, a cynic, an individualist, and a procrastinator. I found Madson to be preachy and far too optimistic, and at times her privilege shows ("I'm a professor at Stanford, but I met a 60-year-old sandwich artist who loves her minimum wage job, so why can't YOU be grateful for wasting your life away for $10/hour?) To her credit, she does have some down-to-earth moments. A lot of the ideas in this book aren't new (although it was published in 2005 so I guess I'm a bit late to this party) and honestly I could see this as a buzzfeed article instead of a 150-page book of mostly filler.
I have no intention of following any of the advice in the book or going back and trying the exercises that I skipped. There were a few passages that gave me an a-ha moment, which I'll quote here so that I can get this book off of my shelf:
"Motivation is not a prerequisite for showing up." (52)
"With the first-thought method it is as if the idea selects you rather than the other way around. The improviser focuses on making that idea into a good one, rather than searching for a 'good idea.'" (55)
"All starting points are equally valid." (59)
"Wishing things were different (or that I was different) simply wastes time." (78)
"Instead of asking, 'What do I feel like doing?' substitute 'What is my purpose now?' " (84)
"...it's unnecessary to be motivated, get ourselves together, or even feel like doing it. The key is to get up and go." (114)
"Perhaps there is a great dream gathering dust on the shelf of your life. It is never too late to start it or make progress if it is under way but neglected." (145)
"The Water Tank" parable on page 146.
I don't usually read self-help books. Or pop psychology books. Or whatever you want to call this. The book contains thirteen maxims for improving your life. These lessons are drawn from Madson's decades of experience as a drama professor at Stanford and are also influenced by eastern philosophy.
The book is a quick and easy read...but I did it wrong. Each short chapter has a few suggestions/exercises...which I mostly ignored unless I could do them in that time and place. Key ideas are listed in point form at the end of the chapter, so if you're feeling lazy you can just read those. Madson's style is colloquial and full of anecdotes, which made it seem "fluffy," but, at the same time, I'm glad that this isn't a more intense read.
I always thought that I was decent at improvising (not in the dramatic sense, but in the every day handling of my life). I discovered that I'm actually pretty bad at it. I suppose that in some ways I'm the perfect target audience for this book, but in other ways I'm everything that's the enemy of improvisation—a naysayer, a cynic, an individualist, and a procrastinator. I found Madson to be preachy and far too optimistic, and at times her privilege shows ("I'm a professor at Stanford, but I met a 60-year-old sandwich artist who loves her minimum wage job, so why can't YOU be grateful for wasting your life away for $10/hour?) To her credit, she does have some down-to-earth moments. A lot of the ideas in this book aren't new (although it was published in 2005 so I guess I'm a bit late to this party) and honestly I could see this as a buzzfeed article instead of a 150-page book of mostly filler.
I have no intention of following any of the advice in the book or going back and trying the exercises that I skipped. There were a few passages that gave me an a-ha moment, which I'll quote here so that I can get this book off of my shelf:
"Motivation is not a prerequisite for showing up." (52)
"With the first-thought method it is as if the idea selects you rather than the other way around. The improviser focuses on making that idea into a good one, rather than searching for a 'good idea.'" (55)
"All starting points are equally valid." (59)
"Wishing things were different (or that I was different) simply wastes time." (78)
"Instead of asking, 'What do I feel like doing?' substitute 'What is my purpose now?' " (84)
"...it's unnecessary to be motivated, get ourselves together, or even feel like doing it. The key is to get up and go." (114)
"Perhaps there is a great dream gathering dust on the shelf of your life. It is never too late to start it or make progress if it is under way but neglected." (145)
"The Water Tank" parable on page 146.
November 9, 2016
I loved this book which is a human reminder of benefits of forgoing control in order to accept the adventure that is life. If life is 10% what happens to us and 90% how we react to it, the lessons from the world of improv are an astute guide to show us how we can learn to let go of ourselves and enjoy the 90%.
A few memorable quotes:
Life is an improvisation, and if we are lucky, a long one. [p14]
A good improviser is someone who is awake, not entirely self-focused, and moved by a desire to do something useful and give something back and who acts upon this impulse. [p14]
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. [p18]
To stay alive, early man needed to cultivate the capacity to think ahead and stow away food for the lean times […] We learned to worry about the future […] Leapfrogging thousands of years into the present, we find ourselves nearly strangled by the planning instinct. For some of us it is our life. We plan when we should execute. We make lists, worry, or theorize (often endlessly) when we ought to be responding. We choose safety above all else. We seem to have lost the knack of looking at the day with fresh eyes or doing anything out of our comfort zone. [p21]
Blocking is a way of trying to control the situation instead of accepting it. We block when we say no, when we have a better idea, when we change the subject, when we correct the speaker, when we fail to listen, or when we simply ignore the situation […] Saying no is the most common way we attempt to control the future. [p29]
To say 'yes' is to make a leap of faith, to risk oneself in a new and often scary relationship […] the vocabulary of faith begins
Striving for an original idea takes us away from our everyday intelligence, and it can actually block access to the creative process [p62]
The Japanese have a word for this rule: arugamama. It is the virtue of abiding with things as they are. It implies a realistic and responsive approach to life [p77]
Life comes to us as details. Look for them. [p99]
No feeling is ever a justification for strident words or a discourteous act. While I cannot control my first reaction to an event, I can control what I do thereafter. Choose your behavior mindfully. That's real personal power. [p120]
A few memorable quotes:
Life is an improvisation, and if we are lucky, a long one. [p14]
A good improviser is someone who is awake, not entirely self-focused, and moved by a desire to do something useful and give something back and who acts upon this impulse. [p14]
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. [p18]
To stay alive, early man needed to cultivate the capacity to think ahead and stow away food for the lean times […] We learned to worry about the future […] Leapfrogging thousands of years into the present, we find ourselves nearly strangled by the planning instinct. For some of us it is our life. We plan when we should execute. We make lists, worry, or theorize (often endlessly) when we ought to be responding. We choose safety above all else. We seem to have lost the knack of looking at the day with fresh eyes or doing anything out of our comfort zone. [p21]
Blocking is a way of trying to control the situation instead of accepting it. We block when we say no, when we have a better idea, when we change the subject, when we correct the speaker, when we fail to listen, or when we simply ignore the situation […] Saying no is the most common way we attempt to control the future. [p29]
To say 'yes' is to make a leap of faith, to risk oneself in a new and often scary relationship […] the vocabulary of faith begins
Striving for an original idea takes us away from our everyday intelligence, and it can actually block access to the creative process [p62]
The Japanese have a word for this rule: arugamama. It is the virtue of abiding with things as they are. It implies a realistic and responsive approach to life [p77]
Life comes to us as details. Look for them. [p99]
No feeling is ever a justification for strident words or a discourteous act. While I cannot control my first reaction to an event, I can control what I do thereafter. Choose your behavior mindfully. That's real personal power. [p120]
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