{Hand Embroidery by The Merriweather Council aka the author of this post}
The most recent interview on ARTrepreneur features Amanda Hirsch discussing how improv comedy can help creative entrepreneurs with their businesses.
It was a great interview with tons of useful information but the part that stood out the most to me was the idea of “yes and.”
What is “Yes And”?
In improv, it’s important for one actor to not only agree with whatever the other has put out there first, but also add to it. Why? Because when they agree, they can move forward. If they didn’t agree… what then?
This is improv comedy, the actors rely on each other to keep the scene moving.
Beyond agreeing, the second actor should then add their own bit as well. This is the “and” part of “yes and.”
“Yes and” is taking something and adding to it. Improvising on the spot. “Yes and” helps ideas build and spread.
Don’t put energy on resisting.
Rather than get to feeling defeated when things don’t go according to plan, accept what’s going on, say “yes and” and go with the flow. “Yes and” can help us navigate uncertainty and change. Just like broccoli, change is important. And even though we might not really like it, it’s good for us.
Of course improv comedy is a group activity, but we can widen these ideas to encompass creative collaborations and also working alone.
One thing I absolutely know for sure about creativity is that it isn’t about making one thing and being done, nor is it about making the same thing over and over without variation or improvement. When you are creating and something goes wrong with the thread in your bobbin, or you run out of a color you wanted to use, or you cut something the wrong way, you might find that it leads you to an even better result than what you originally intended. Or maybe you just created something entirely new and different and love it!
I can honestly say that about half of the things I spend the most time creating for Merriweather Council are things I discovered during experimentations. It is so important to experiment, make a mess and improvise in your crafting. Through the mess and madness of mistake making, something cool will happen, and the ideas that mistakes generate are worth the infrequent loss of material. And ideas are like pennies in the piggy bank, money for a rainy day, so don’t worry about messing up.
By building on what we already know or what we are handed—by “yes and”ing—we can evolve our creativity and develop new ideas, new products, new ways of sharing what we do with others.
It isn’t scary, it is empowering!
Proving to yourself that you can improvise and go with the flow after something goes “wrong” or after starting from scratch with something unfamiliar is empowering.
What are you waiting for?! Go “yes and” something!
I think “yes and” is great for using at the bakery as well.
“Cupcake?”
“Yes, and also 13 of those cookies.”
About the Author: Hey there! I’m Danielle, and I am the artist/ maker behind The Merriweather Council! I am a 22 year old, recent college grad living and crafting in Boston, Massachusetts. My interests include traveling both near and far, reading books by Jonathan Safran Foer multiple times, drinking iced lattes and watching shows in which forensics are used to solve crimes (have you ever noticed it is often a fiber that cracks the case? A thread or a piece of fabric – totally way too awesome) and of course – making things! Ever since graduating in May, I’ve completely immersed myself in my crafty biz and I’m super excited to see what happens next!
‘Yes and’ is what my oldest child will say when I am explaining something important to him….. that is what comes to mind after reading this post… and I’ll do it to him hehe…
haha, nice!
This post came at the perfect time! I was just thinking today, about how sometimes we just have to put one foot in front of the other and keep moving forward, even if it’s hard or scary… it’s always worth it, because you never know what will come of it, unless you try. 😉
So true so true! I think its absolutely something we all have the capacity for – adjusting to what we get dealt. Sometimes the best things come from the curve balls!
I work with clients on custom projects. I was convinced this post was going to be about how to effectively encorporate client input into projects, because that is my primary focus in life. I make something for the same purpose over and over again, but each thing, (ballroom dance competition costumes) must represent the individual client, more than it represents me or my work. I totally agree with waht you are saying here, but I also think there are greater use for “yes, and…” and I personally embrace the creative congress it engenders. Thanks for a thought provolking post!
Glad you liked the post! 🙂
Danielle, GREAT concept “Yes and”, as well as a Great revision of the OLD saying- (YES-BUT). Because,(But) is often seen as a NEGATIVE! Two days ago I messed up in the shop. I was trying to make new picture frames from an old design that I had never tried before. I mismeasured for one thing, and didn’t take into account another subtraction I should have made, which as far as I was concerned ruined the whole lot, and waisted several hours of my time so I thought. I walked away from all the picture frame pieces I had just cut out, since I was NOT happy!
The next morning while I was trying to figure out what I had done wrong, I looked at them all put together and I realized that I had come up with a new design that added my own unique style to them. If I hadn’t learned to live by the old saying of,”use your resources”, I would have just thrown them out and started over!
I now have something new from (trail and error) that will look wonderful. Thanks for the words of encouragement you offered to everyone here. Randy
So true!! It brings me back to my New Years Resolution…..I’m getting out of my own way!!! I find that going with the flow may not always be the most comfortable thing for me BUT it beats being stagnant and thinking everything to death. So, “Yes And” I’ll trust myself to keep moving forward with creative evolvement.
Cathy, awesome new years resolution! Im glad you liked the post! Thanks for sharing your thoughts!
love it! great advice. Love Danielle and her work 🙂 thanks for sharing and YES I CAN!
Hi Lisa! Thanks so much! Glad you liked the post!
Love your refreshing interview :). It makes so much sense, but I think i need to drink more of iced lattes to feel the full effect :),And btw, Love your store, I have been seeing a beautiful progress in your work, I can totally say that your strategy works 🙂
thanks so much! Im happy you enjoyed the post!
” YES AND ” thank you for your refreshing advise ! 🙂
you are SO welcome!
My favorite piece of jewelry is from Beth Quinn of Beth Quinn designs. A pendant that says “she woke up one day and threw away all her excuses.”
My favorite piece of jewelry is from Beth Quinn of Beth Quinn designs. It is a pendant that says, “she woke up one morning and threw away all of her excuses.”
Thanks for the reminder that we learn by doing and moving forward no matter the outcome.
Not sure what happen with my post above.
Love the article and he reminider that we must “keep on keeping on”.
Great advice! I’m a creative from the acting world, so I loved your improv reference. Keep it up – love your stuff!
Really needed to “hear” this. Thanks.
Awesome post! Seriously. The language was so relaxed, and I love the “Yes and” theater reference. I’m gonna try using that phrase all day today.
Also, Danielle, I was wondering if you would let me proofread your bio for free. All you have to do is submit it as a free sample through the contact page of my site. What do you think?
If I had a quarter of your wisdom at your age and a quarter of your “can do” attitude…”And, yes” I do. Or at least, now I do. I like to call mistakes and set-backs in my craft “serendipity”. Like you say, sometimes great things come out of it.
Great article.
“Yes, and” is way more useful and constructive than “yes, but”.
Very nice article.
That is how I started in my business I just went for it I thought if it failed I will just pickup, repeat and avoid the mistakes and today I can say that I am so glad I have done it and never looked back.
I advice anyone out there, just say yes and do it, it will be so satisfying in the long run.
🙂
Sometimes the best things come from the curve balls! I find that going with the flow may not always be the most comfortable thing for me BUT it beats being stagnant and thinking everything to death. Because,(But) is often seen as a NEGATIVE!