THINK IMPROV's presentation from SXSW Interactive 2012. Learn more and book a workshop at http://thinkimprov.com ------------------ http://schedule.sxsw.com/2012/events/event_IAP9388 "You're fired." "The test results are positive." "We're out of beer." Change happens - how you handle it is up to you. Improv can help. In past SXSW workshops, we've explored how the lessons of improv comedy apply to everyday life and business. This year, we'll focus on how improv can increase your adaptability - a critical skill in today's workforce, not to mention, key to maintaining your sanity in our unpredictable, fast-changing world. Learn how the skills actors and musicians use to invent on the fly can help reduce stress and make you a positive, unflappable leader, no matter what your career path, station in life, or zodiac sign. Come join us for a session filled with games, laughs, and interactive discussion grounded in real-world examples. You'll leave armed with skills you can use the next time the world throws you a curve ball (i.e. immediately). Marcus Aurelius said, "The universe is change; our life is what our thoughts make it." We couldn't agree more.

1. Change Happens:
Improv for an Unpredictable World
#improv4all
@thinkimprov
@amanda_hirsch
@tfish77

2. Ch-Ch-Ch-Ch-Changes
 Jot down a change in your life that
you’re dealing with or have dealt with
recently. Could be large or small.
(This will be on the quiz later.)
#improv4all

3. Amanda & Jordan Hirsch
Improvisers
Married
Married
improvisers

4. THINK IMPROV
thinkimprov.com

5. Improv Buzz
 Malcolm Gladwell
 Biz schools
 New York Times, Fast Company
 SXSW

6. What is Improv?
Improv, n.:
1. A performance-based art form
wherein a show is created
spontaneously in front of an
audience.
2. A heightened version of everyday
life.
#improv4all

7. And now, the news…
#improv4all

8. The Bad News:
Sh*t Happens
 Life defies your expectations
(i.e. the script in your head).
 Going off-script is hard.
 It’s easy to lose your way.
 Stress .
#improv4all

9. The Good News:
Improv Can Help You…
 Expect the unexpected.
 Adapt effectively to change.
 Lead & inspire.
 Reduce stress.
#improv4all

10. The Best News:
 You’re already improvising.
 You can learn to improvise (i.e.
live) better.
#improv4all

11. Expect the Unexpected
 Reset your frame.
 Recognize you’re in an improv
show.
 Proceed accordingly.
#improv4all

12. Adapt to Change: “YES, AND…”
 Accept the reality of what’s
happening (“YES”)
 Build upon that reality (“AND”)
 Resistance is futile
#improv4all

13. Adapt to Change:
Know Your Objective
 Circumstances may change… but
your objective can remain the
same.
 Find a new way to achieve your
goal.
 “Hold on to your shit.”
#improv4all

14. Lead & Inspire
 Bring “yes, and” to the party (or
meeting room).
 React quickly – trust yourself and
others will trust you, too.
#improv4all

16. Thank You
 Questions?
 Please rate us!
#improv4all

17. A Helpful Reminder
“If you can keep your head
when all about you are losing
theirs…Yours is the earth and
everything that’s in it”
- Rudyard Kipling, If