This is what started it all, people! When I was 6, I got this book, The King Who Rained, and I LOVED it! Ever since then, I’ve spent a LOT of time listening for, when people talk, how can I “take it wrong”? What else could a word mean in that sentence? It’s also a piece of homework that I give to everyone that comes through any of my programs. Look for homonyms, words that sound like other words, and also the same word that may have another meaning.

Mary was anxious to get married. But, John was anxious about getting married.

This a great place to start mining for Improv goodness. AND, for comedy in general. It’s not just for being able to throw out a one-liner or, heaven forbid, a bad pun. But, it’s a chance for you to give your brain some exercise; to think in a way that you normally do not. And, research has shown that doing mental gymnastics helps people stave off dementia and Alzheimer’s. So, keep that in mind. Do this exercise! Watch for way’s to “take something wrong” and make yourself giggle. Once you become facile with it, maybe you can start saying them out loud to people. (And they’ll think you’re funny.) Perhaps when someone says that they “have reservations about your project,” you can ask if that will be a “table for one”? That might not be the best joke ever, but in the spur of the moment, you would make people near you chuckle, lighten the, mood, and give yourself a moment to think about how you will now decide to deal with the naysayer, too. Have fun… always! Bonus Trivia: This book was written by Herman Munster from The Munsters!

I look back over my last 10 posts and notice something interesting… I love exclamations! Six posts have !!, two have ??, and that leaves two that are just titles.

That’s probably a fair ratio for how I write in emails and how I talk, too.

What could that mean?

I’m pretty sure it just means that I’m enthusaistic and energetic.

How about you? You should check on your communications. Are you enthusaistic when you talk to people about your business, your family, your life?

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It’s a big part of Improv. Scenes and shows are better when they’re high energy. Of course, they can’t ALL be high energy, but we sure do have a high percentage that lean that way.

And why is that? Because high energy equals fun. You never see a depressed person walking full-tilt. And besides Steven Wright, you don’t see morose comedians.

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My recommendation for you: Walk faster this week and use more exclamations in your speech and your writing.

HAVE FUN!
(It’s way more fun than not having fun!)