Happy Accidents: The Transformative Power of "Yes, and" at Work and in Life

IMPROVISE YOUR WAY TO WINNING TOGETHER AND INSPIRING THE BEST IN OTHERS

Improvisation is more than just a comedy technique—it′s a way of life. Happy Accidents shows you how to harness the power of improvisation to re–awaken your spirit and lead a more fulfilling life both at work and home. Shake up your routine, be more present and positive, and step out of your comfort zone to make a conscious decision to say "Yes, and."

Say YES to…

AND much more!

A simple turn of phrase can be a powerful force for change, one which transforms ideas, people, and companies from "what can be" to "what is." Happy Accidents shows you how to harness that power for yourself. Letting go of fear and laughing in the face of uncertainty is only the beginning, and the strength you gain becomes a driving force behind a new outlook. "Yes, and" thinking helps you open hearts, change minds, and win together in a "no, but" world.

Introduction: A Crazy Little Bet on “Yes, And”

How to Reset Your Mind–set From “No, But” to “Yes, And”

Chapter 1: Out of the Darkness

How to Harness the Power of Positive Cooperation

Chapter 2: It’s Showtime!

It’s All About the Leap, Not the Landing

Chapter 3: The Winds of Change

How to Get the Maximum Return on Improvisation (ROI)

Chapter 4: Hollywood Calls

How to Treat Your Coworkers Like Artists and Poets

Chapter 5: Into the Darkness – Again

Why a Controlled Life Is the Enemy of a Happy Life

Chapter 6: Meltdown? Heck No! Melt–Up, That’s More Like It

How Being a Better Listener Makes You a Better Communicator

Chapter 7: Happy Accidents,

or Why There Are No Mistakes, Only Higher and Lower Percentage Choices

Chapter 8: Legacy: A Love Story

or How to Transform Your Labor of Love Into a Masterpiece

Chapter 9: Keep Going

When All Else Succeeds, Leap Again: How to Remain Passionate at Work

Chapter 10: “Yes, And” Comes Full Circle

It Takes a Village, Idiot 

Encore Exercises

Afterword: “Yes, the End”

Index

DAVID AHEARN, FRANK FORD, and DAVID WILK are the founding members of Four Day Weekend Comedy. Four Day Weekend has performed nearly 6,000 live shows, has been awarded the Key to the City of Fort Worth, Texas, and was named Small Business of the Year by the Fort Worth Chamber of Commerce. They have delivered their "Yes, and" keynote address to the United States Congress and work with dozens of Fortune 500 companies every year. As Entrepreneurs–in–Residence at the Neeley School of Business at Texas Christian University, they collaborate with faculty and teach students improvisation and entrepreneurial skills.