Episode 5530
• Scott Smith
Communication Kung Fu
Communication Kung Fu
Daily Boost Podcast
Communication Kung Fu
August 28, 2026 | Episode 5530
Host: Scott Smith
Episode Description
Somebody drops a request on your plate, and you hear yourself saying yes before your brain catches up. Now you're doing work that was never yours, and the thing you actually needed to finish sits there.
Years ago, an improv class handed me two small moves that fixed this. They keep you agreeable, keep people liking you, and keep your calendar your own.
I use them on clients, on my kids, on anybody walking down the hall looking for a favor. Nobody has ever caught on.
Try them this weekend and watch what stops landing on your desk.
Featured Story
Years ago I was chasing voiceover and spokesperson work, and I knew I didn't sound natural. I've got this radio voice built into me. Great for reading copy. Terrible for sounding like a regular guy standing in a kitchen.
So I took classes: acting classes, commercial classes, drama classes. I scared a few people with my acting chops. I was that good.
The one that changed everything was improv. You watch improv and wonder how those people keep pulling ideas out of thin air. It looks like magic. It isn't. There's one simple rule beneath it all, and I've been using it in real conversations ever since.
Important Points
When somebody asks for your help, agree first. Nobody gets defensive when they hear yes, and nobody walks away mad.
Then you defer. Let's talk about it later when I finish what I'm doing, the work that a flat no never could.
Drop the word yet into your answers. Not yet keeps you positive, keeps your momentum, and buys you some real room.
Memorable Quotes
I lost the weight 20 years ago and never gained it back, but the habit of "I'll start on Monday" has evidently stuck.
It's magical. It takes the stress away, and you can use it all day long — on your kids, on your boss, on anybody.
Nine times out of ten, they find somebody else, they do it themselves, or the thing never even had to get done.
Scott's Three-Step Approach
Start with yes right when the ask lands, because nobody gets defensive and nobody argues with an agreeable person.
Then defer instead of refusing: let's talk about it later when I finish what I'm doing, and hand the moment back.
Then drop the "and," answer "not yet" when they circle back, and let the request quietly solve itself somewhere else.
Chapters
0:02 - Two small words that keep your day on track
0:18 - Why I skipped the gym and blamed Monday again
1:24 - The hardest part is that heavy front door
3:25 - What improv class taught me about saying no
4:47 - Agree and defer, then watch them walk away
5:54 - Drop the and, then let the word yet work
8:26 - How this quietly hands your time back to you
Connect With Me
Search for the Daily Boost on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, and Spotify
Email: support@motivationtomove.com
Main Website: https://motivationtomove.com
Instagram: https://instagram.com/heyscottsmith
Facebook Page: https://facebook.com/motivationtomove
Facebook Group: https://dailyboostpodcast.com/facebook
Daily Boost Podcast
Communication Kung Fu
August 28, 2026 | Episode 5530
Host: Scott Smith
Episode Description
Somebody drops a request on your plate, and you hear yourself saying yes before your brain catches up. Now you're doing work that was never yours, and the thing you actually needed to finish sits there.
Years ago, an improv class handed me two small moves that fixed this. They keep you agreeable, keep people liking you, and keep your calendar your own.
I use them on clients, on my kids, on anybody walking down the hall looking for a favor. Nobody has ever caught on.
Try them this weekend and watch what stops landing on your desk.
Featured Story
Years ago I was chasing voiceover and spokesperson work, and I knew I didn't sound natural. I've got this radio voice built into me. Great for reading copy. Terrible for sounding like a regular guy standing in a kitchen.
So I took classes: acting classes, commercial classes, drama classes. I scared a few people with my acting chops. I was that good.
The one that changed everything was improv. You watch improv and wonder how those people keep pulling ideas out of thin air. It looks like magic. It isn't. There's one simple rule beneath it all, and I've been using it in real conversations ever since.
Important Points
When somebody asks for your help, agree first. Nobody gets defensive when they hear yes, and nobody walks away mad.
Then you defer. Let's talk about it later when I finish what I'm doing, the work that a flat no never could.
Drop the word yet into your answers. Not yet keeps you positive, keeps your momentum, and buys you some real room.
Memorable Quotes
I lost the weight 20 years ago and never gained it back, but the habit of "I'll start on Monday" has evidently stuck.
It's magical. It takes the stress away, and you can use it all day long — on your kids, on your boss, on anybody.
Nine times out of ten, they find somebody else, they do it themselves, or the thing never even had to get done.
Scott's Three-Step Approach
Start with yes right when the ask lands, because nobody gets defensive and nobody argues with an agreeable person.
Then defer instead of refusing: let's talk about it later when I finish what I'm doing, and hand the moment back.
Then drop the "and," answer "not yet" when they circle back, and let the request quietly solve itself somewhere else.
Chapters
0:02 - Two small words that keep your day on track
0:18 - Why I skipped the gym and blamed Monday again
1:24 - The hardest part is that heavy front door
3:25 - What improv class taught me about saying no
4:47 - Agree and defer, then watch them walk away
5:54 - Drop the and, then let the word yet work
8:26 - How this quietly hands your time back to you
Connect With Me
Search for the Daily Boost on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, and Spotify
Email: support@motivationtomove.com
Main Website: https://motivationtomove.com
Instagram: https://instagram.com/heyscottsmith
Facebook Page: https://facebook.com/motivationtomove
Facebook Group: https://dailyboostpodcast.com/facebook