Ctrl-Shift

by Mike Bonifer, Jessie Shternshus

What kind of day are you having? Is it a ****ing day? Or is it a ****ing day? What are you going to do about it? Mike Bonifer and Jessie Shternshus, who teach companies around the world how to apply improvisation to business, have created 50 original improv games tailored to the kind of ****ing day you're having. From the bathroom to the board room, and every stop in between, this fun and engaging book helps you get the craziness under control.

Genres: Nonfiction

214 pages, Paperback

First published April 20, 2015

Reviews

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

I went into reading this book thinking that it would be more of an improvisational theatre game resource. While it definitely can be used as that, it's oriented towards attitude changing techniques, focusing heavily on changing a negative, unproductive attitude into a positive, innovative attitude in the workplace more than anywhere else.

There's noticeable overlap in the games themselves - writing lists, appreciating other people openly, making happen what you want to see happen - but they do offer different perspectives and intentions for playing that particular game.

The descriptions for the different days have some good tidbits of inspiration and some memorable quotes that have stuck with me throughout the week since I read them.

So, while I wouldn't recommend it if you're looking for improv theatre inspiration, I think it would be helpful for people who are looking for a way to jumpstart changing their mental ways or want to encourage their colleagues to do so as well.

[Daniel Wellner · Rating 3 out of 5]

Every day is what you make of it. There is some really good ideas in this book on how to take control of your days and change them for the better.

This is not the kind of book to read just once, and reading it in one go felt a bit tiresome at times. However, I'll definitely keep this one around and hopefully remember to often revisit some of the games.

[Rebecca Stevenson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is fantastic. I'm going to enthuse about it at everyone I know!

[Carina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Most of these are solo games but it was just the sort of thing I needed on a burned-out day like today. Helpful activities to shift your thinking, and doing.