When an idea has been ‘over-articulated’, it can take something simple or metaphorical to bring it back to its essence. Libraries have been written about this particular idea, millions of workshops, seminars, groups and rallies have addressed it from every possible angle. Here is the essence of it, written into song in 1941 by Johnny Mercer and Harold Arlen:

You’ve got to accentuate the Positive
Eliminate the Negative
Latch on to the Affirmative
Don’t mess with Mr. In-Between *

Accentuating the Positive is how improvisers keep their scenes productive. (more…)