What is “Yes, and…”?
“Yes, and…” thinking comes from the world of improvisational acting, usually performed in comedic sketch rehearsals or shows, which is where I originally picked it up. This style of acting is when one actor automatically accepts what another actor said or did during a scene before the first actor entered. That’s the “Yes” part. And then they expand on that line of thinking. That’s the “And”.
Early in my VO career, my coach encouraged me to utilize the “Yes, and…” principle in my journey – to accept what is given no matter what,and then push it to the next level.
When a new (even possibly strange) opportunity in my voice-over world comes along, instead of keeping my head down and just doing what I have always done, I have made a commitment to myself to say YES, I’ll do that, AND what else can I learn or what other project may this road lead me towards?
For example, I was scrolling through groups on social media for video game developers as I learned those kinds of connections could lead me to voice video games, which was one of my goals.
I eventually was invited to join one of these groups. I said YES, I would join AND figure out how I could contribute to the enhancement of that group?
It turns out the leaders of this group were coordinating a virtual conference and were looking for free keynote speakers. I had never given a keynote message at a virtual conference, but I said yes, and: how can I help?
Long story short, (a couple of years later) and after several rounds of me living out “Yes, and…” since joining that group…I have voiced three video games. I got asked to be the casting director for one of them and was able to be the lead voice of that game and cast many of my VO friends and colleagues and give them work which was an extreme joy.
I could have easily said no to speaking at that event, the original thought of that was so awkward, but I wouldn’t be near as far down my VO journey if I hadn’t said “Yes, and…”
So let me ask you? What have you been saying no to now? After hearing this, you need to go and say “Yes, and…”
You can do it! Don’t hesitate. You’ll be glad you did.
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