Sure, I could tell you how my weekend was, or how the meeting went, but wouldn’t it be better if my whole body brought this story to life? Yes, yes it would.
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This series was inspired by people asking me “How do I keep doing improv?” after a corporate improv workshop. There are, of course, improv classes, more workshops, team building exercises you can do with your group, but these games are specifically ones you can do on your own to practice “Yes and” and get into a state of play.
A variation on “spot the difference” where you change little things about yourself throughout the day. Change your shirt. Add a scarf. Wear a ring. Change your necklace. Grow a mustache. You’ll be wonderfully mysterious, and each time someone sees you they’ll look at you with intrigue and say, “Did you always have a face tattoo?”
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This series was inspired by people asking me “How do I keep doing improv?” after a corporate improv workshop. There are, of course, improv classes, more workshops, team building exercises you can do with your group, but these games are specifically ones you can do on your own to practice “Yes and” and get into a state of play.
Every time you visit a coworker, move something around. Move their family photo frame to the other side of the desk. Their mug just a little more out of reach. Tilt the lamp slightly. (Or non-office-from-the-2000’s-specific examples.)
Eventually let them know you’re playing this game with them. But only after they confide in you about “the ghosts.”
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This series was inspired by people asking me “How do I keep doing improv?” after a corporate improv workshop. There are, of course, improv classes, more workshops, team building exercises you can do with your group, but these games are specifically ones you can do on your own to practice “Yes and” and get into a state of play.
Write yourself a goal. Now imagine what it would be like it you achieved that goal. Now act like you would after having achieved it.
Want to lose weight to feel more confident? Act more confident now!
Want to make more money to feel more secure? Act more secure now!
Want to be the boss of this place? Act like the boss now! (Take the company plane. Heck, wanna be a pilot? Fly it!)
Play the character you want to be. Show the universe you’ll be able to handle what it brings you.
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This series was inspired by people asking me “How do I keep doing improv?” after a corporate improv workshop. There are, of course, improv classes, more workshops, team building exercises you can do with your group, but these games are specifically ones you can do on your own to practice “Yes and” and get into a state of play.
You know that scene in Mr. Bean where he’s trying to outdo the guy at the buffet? He grabs more food, eats it faster, wolfs down oysters… anyhoo, watch it if you haven’t. Point is, get into a playful mindset by having your own little competition.
But it’s not about a battle between two or more people. In fact, the key is that the other person doesn’t even know they’re in a competition. Write on the whiteboard just a little faster, bigger, clearer than them. Win gold for whiteboarding.
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This series was inspired by people asking me “How do I keep doing improv?” after a corporate improv workshop. There are, of course, improv classes, more workshops, team building exercises you can do with your group, but these games are specifically ones you can do on your own to practice “Yes and” and get into a state of play.
If someone all the way on the other side of the building makes the gesture of shoveling food in their mouths, you know you’re being invited to lunch. No need for words. We do it all the time. Here’s where the challenge comes in, try and communicate everything this way.
“Did you get my email?” (point to them, typing fingers, shrug)
“I love your new shoes!” (lift your foot high, point to your shoes, point to them, heart shape hands)
“Someone used the company photocopier to print out 200 pages of a file called ‘MyStory-novel-final-v.13.2’ at 10pm last night, was that you, you li’l rascal?” (you got this!)
Act things out, use your facial expressions, clearly mouth out your words, get your whole body involved, or simply learn sign language.
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This series was inspired by people asking me “How do I keep doing improv?” after a corporate improv workshop. There are, of course, improv classes, more workshops, team building exercises you can do with your group, but these games are specifically ones you can do on your own to practice “Yes and” and get into a state of play.
Sure, historically speaking, nicknames are usually bestowed upon their recipients. My nickname when I worked at the health food store was “Gramps.” And this was in my early 20’s. In my defense, I was anxious and hated myself and others. Especially those dang kids on my lawn. (You know this is a joke because I said “lawn” and I live in Toronto.)
This is your chance to get ahead of the game. Sign off some emails with a bonus “middle” name in quotes. Drop some third person references in conversation like “Tiger agrees” while pointing to yourself. Or simply hire an actor to call you your nickname loudly throughout the day.
You don’t need to sell everyone, just get one person hooked. Most people call me plain ole Cam, or Cameron, or Cam-Bam 3000, but I’ve also planted the seeds of some weird ones.
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This series was inspired by people asking me “How do I keep doing improv?” after a corporate improv workshop. There are, of course, improv classes, more workshops, team building exercises you can do with your group, but these games are specifically ones you can do on your own to practice “Yes and” and get into a state of play.
There’s an improv game where the facilitator can call out “More specific!” during a scene, and the player has to expand on what they just said. There’s often comedy in the details.
There’s also a greater chance to connect with the other person. If you say, “I went and got milk” I’m interested, but hoping there’s more to the plot. If you say “I went up to the Davisville Hasty Market to get my Earth’s Own Oat Milk” I definitely have more to react to.
Next conversation you have, give your “scene partner” some specifics to play with.
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This series was inspired by people asking me “How do I keep doing improv?” after a corporate improv workshop. There are, of course, improv classes, more workshops, team building exercises you can do with your group, but these games are specifically ones you can do on your own to practice “Yes and” and get into a state of play.
In improv, there’s a lot of gift talk. Every offer from your scene partner is a gift. Mistakes are gifts. There’s even a gift giving game. It’s a reminder to focus on the other person. To share joy with someone.
So today’s challenge is to give a gift. Get a friend a coffee. Make a coworker something out of paperclips. Write something supportive on a post-it note and leave it for someone. Give to a charity. Or the greatest gift of all, the gift of friendship and Bluetooth speakers.
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This series was inspired by people asking me “How do I keep doing improv?” after a corporate improv workshop. There are, of course, improv classes, more workshops, team building exercises you can do with your group, but these games are specifically ones you can do on your own to practice “Yes and” and get into a state of play.
A bit of a combo game here, mainly because going full “floor is lava” would probably get you a little too much attention at work. So we’re combining it with a mix of “step on a crack,” and “the way some baseball pitchers skip over the foul line as they’re coming off the field as some sort of superstition.”
In short, when you walk about, don’t touch any lines on the floor. That’s the game. Simple rules. If you do touch a line, obviously you’re the reason the Blue Jays lost, and you should be very mad at yourself. (Yes, I’m still thinking about it.)
Bonus challenge: Use this as impetus to go for more walks, instead of a reason to avoid them. Go for the win!
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This series was inspired by people asking me “How do I keep doing improv?” after a corporate improv workshop. There are, of course, improv classes, more workshops, team building exercises you can do with your group, but these games are specifically ones you can do on your own to practice “Yes and” and get into a state of play.
When you look at a table, your mind automatically labels it, “That’s a table.” But is it? Yes. But is that the best and only name for that object? Break out of that unconscious thinking, and see it for what it really is… a higher floor. “Pick that stuff off the dirty floor, and put in on the higher, cleaner floor,” you’d say. And a countertop? What’s with that? It doesn’t even count numbers, let alone be the top at it. It’s basically another floor. A food floor. Or “foofloo.” And a floor? That’s clearly a “blorg.”
What’s the first thing you’re renaming?
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This series was inspired by people asking me “How do I keep doing improv?” after a corporate improv workshop. There are, of course, improv classes, more workshops, team building exercises you can do with your group, but these games are specifically ones you can do on your own to practice “Yes and” and get into a state of play.
Another great character POV game. Go about your normal workings, but keep your mantra in mind, and see how it changes the way you do things. If your mantra is “Just be” then you might remember to stay zen during those tense moments. If your mantra is “This is my time” then you might feel inspired to greatness, or not tolerate useless meetings. Or maybe your mantra is “Can we please go one second without talking about AI?!”
What’s your mantra going to be today?
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This series was inspired by people asking me “How do I keep doing improv?” after a corporate improv workshop. There are, of course, improv classes, more workshops, team building exercises you can do with your group, but these games are specifically ones you can do on your own to practice “Yes and” and get into a state of play.
There was a thread (Reddit?) about adding whimsy to our lives, and one woman said she says “May I take your coats” when peeling garlic. So, that type of stuff. And do their voices if the objects respond. And if people look at you weird, maybe they’re weird for not being playful. Also, your superpower might be the ability to talk to inanimate objects, they don’t know.
What are you going to talk to first?
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This series was inspired by people asking me “How do I keep doing improv?” after a corporate improv workshop. There are, of course, improv classes, more workshops, team building exercises you can do with your group, but these games are specifically ones you can do on your own to practice “Yes and” and get into a state of play.
If it’s your first time meeting someone, probably keep it formal. You’ve got your standard handshake, or fist bump, or slap into slide into snap. But if it’s someone you’re excited to see again, it’s time to celebrate with some complicated full body greetings gymnastics. A movement that you two create together, that is just for you. Hip bumps, spins, lifts, make it impressive enough that other people in the group will be so impressed they won’t mind waiting it out each time you two see each other.
Who’s your handshake buddy?
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This series was inspired by people asking me “How do I keep doing improv?” after a corporate improv workshop. There are, of course, improv classes, more workshops, team building exercises you can do with your group, but these games are specifically ones you can do on your own to practice “Yes and” and get into a state of play.
Find and read a daily horoscope for your sign. If you don’t believe in horoscopes, even better. Now, take what it’s saying, and help make it become a reality. “Take time to laugh with friends.” “Have a romance.” “Lead by example.” “Make a difference.” “Change… something.” Whatever it says, let that be your guide for the day.
Unless it’s no fun, or some dire warning or something, then skip today’s and try again tomorrow. That’s so Gemini of you.
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This series was inspired by people asking me “How do I keep doing improv?” after a corporate improv workshop. There are, of course, improv classes, more workshops, team building exercises you can do with your group, but these games are specifically ones you can do on your own to practice “Yes and” and get into a state of play.
Instead of slowly getting up, jump out of your chair. Walk with your arms swinging fully. Bounce with each step. Hold your head high. Moving your body differently will make you think and feel differently.
I sometimes walk around the house like Robocop, and when I change directions, I turn my head first, then upper body, then legs. Does it look cool? Depends who you ask. Does is feel cool? Yes.
You don’t need to go full dance number, for some of us just getting up from our chairs more often is different enough.
Now get moving!
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This series was inspired by people asking me “How do I keep doing improv?” after a corporate improv workshop. There are, of course, improv classes, more workshops, team building exercises you can do with your group, but these games are specifically ones you can do on your own to practice “Yes and” and get into a state of play.
Nothing drives words out of your mouth like emotions. Pick one and give it a go. You might be thinking, but I’m not allowed to be emotional at work (other than anger, men are allowed to be angry all the time and call it “passionate”). I’m not saying start at a 10 on the emotional scale, just dip the toes in the water.
If someone comes up for a convo, think to yourself, “I’m gonna be a little excited/paranoid/surprised/proud/nostalgic and let it give your words some temperature.
I used to have just apathy and anger (aka fear) and my therapist hoped that one day I’d have the full range of emotions. So I practiced them with improv!
How you feelin’?
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This series was inspired by people asking me “How do I keep doing improv?” after a corporate improv workshop. There are, of course, improv classes, more workshops, team building exercises you can do with your group, but these games are specifically ones you can do on your own to practice “Yes and” and get into a state of play.
It’s like Jeopardy rules. Hold down a “normal” conversation, but your end is always phrased in the form of a question. The key is to still answer them, and keep the convo going.
Bonus: It’s actually a really good way of being curious and finding out about others.
Eg.
Hey Kevin, I’m gonna need you to optimize the circle back on the AI.
How high a priority is this?
I kinda need it today, if that’s possible.
Today 5pm, or today midnight?
Anytime today would be great.
Wouldn’t tomorrow be considered today when we get there?
What?
Are you also playing the questions game?
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This series was inspired by people asking me “How do I keep doing improv?” after a corporate improv workshop. There are, of course, improv classes, more workshops, team building exercises you can do with your group, but these games are specifically ones you can do on your own to practice “Yes and” and get into a state of play.
In improv, you can take any object and use your imagination to make it something else. For example, a pen can be a moustache, a cigar, an alien antennae, a giant tower in a miniature world.
In real life, you can go beyond imagination and actually use things for more than their intended purpose. There’s the obvious, coffee mug that holds pens (mini towers), or paper clips (mini racetracks). But go further. Your rolly chair is a vehicle. Your desk a dance floor. Use your tie as a belt. Use your belt as a tie. Use your post-it notes as a dress.
You just gotta think to yourself, what else can this thing be or do?
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This series was inspired by people asking me “How do I keep doing improv?” after a corporate improv workshop. There are, of course, improv classes, more workshops, team building exercises you can do with your group, but these games are specifically ones you can do on your own to practice “Yes and” and get into a state of play.
As usual, strike up that “normal” conversation. This time the game is: whatever word they end with, make sure your last word rhymes with it.
Bonus points if your sentence is roughly the same number of syllables. You can even keep a beat going in your head. This is great practice if you ever find yourself performing on an A cappella musical improv team (shout out to JerJosh & the SteveCams).
Eg.
Hey Heather, check this AI thing out!
Oh amazing, what’s it all about?
Well, it’s some art I’ve been working on, you know, on the side.
You should share it around, that’s not something to hide.
(Full disclosure, the art wasn’t great, but in the moment Heather couldn’t think of a different rhyme.)
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This series was inspired by people asking me “How do I keep doing improv?” after a corporate improv workshop. There are, of course, improv classes, more workshops, team building exercises you can do with your group, but these games are specifically ones you can do on your own to practice “Yes and” and get into a state of play.
