6 Improv Principles That Will Boost Your Confidence with David Westerlund — Part 1

Did you know that you can do improv without performing? And there’s surprising research about the ways improv exercises actually improve your focus, reduce overwhelm, and help you make better use of the small gaps in your day?

In part 1 of this conversation, Rebecca speaks with David Westerlund, an applied improv coach with over a decade of experience bringing improv principles to corporate teams, universities, and leaders of all levels, helping them build stronger communication skills, problem-solving, collaboration, and creative momentum.

Presence isn't a personality trait, it's a micro-skill you can train. David breaks down how improv principles like "yes, and," noticing offers, and the Seven Things exercise aren't about performance. They're practical tools for reclaiming focus in micromoments, breaking planning analysis paralysis, and showing up more fully in meetings, conversations, and your own day.

If you've ever felt stuck overplanning, distracted in back-to-back meetings, or unable to find creativity when you need it most, this episode gives you simple, research-backed tools you can use in under five minutes.

What You'll Learn:

• How the Seven Things exercise builds presence and focus in under a minute.
• Why noticing "hidden offers" in everyday conversation transforms how you connect with people.
• How “fractal thinking” takes inspiration from nature and leverages small behavioral changes to create outsized impact.
• The difference between "yes, and" and "both/and" — and why neither means agreeing with everything someone else says.

Timestamps

1. Seeking and Accepting “Offers” in Interactions – 00:02:56
2. Seven Things Noticing & Appreciation Exercise – 00:05:23
3. Applying Fractal Patterns to Teams & Habits – 00:07:20
4. The “Leap” Principle to Building Momentum and Confidence – 00:09:39
5. “Yes And” vs. “Both And” Communication Framework – 00:13:44

Connect with David

Website: https://davidwesterlund.com/about/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-westerlund
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/davidjwesterlund/

For more insight on making the most out of the small moments in your day, follow Rebecca and the Time Billionaires Podcast on LinkedIn.

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Chapters

• (00:00:00) - How to Become a Time Billionaire
• (00:01:01) - Teaching My First Class
• (00:07:04) - In the Elevator With Fractals
• (00:08:32) - The Life of Imagination
• (00:13:18) - A Micro Moment: Yes, You Don't Like Your Hair