How Do You Get To Carnegie Hall?

Carnegie Hall image via IgoUgo

Today we address one of those things that is so obvious, I forget it all the time.

Practice.

That’s the answer to the old vaudeville joke in the title and a key to using humor.

Practice.

I have been guilty of thinking that new material can make a difference, but even the best material fails when delivered poorly. One of the reasons Jay Leno, Bill Cosby, Chris Rock and others are so good is because they slugged it out on the comedy circuit for years before many people heard of them. Six shows a week, forty weeks a year, to all types and sizes of audiences, year after year – tends to hone your skills.

And for the writers, Dave Barry and others write daily and publish more than once a week, month after month after month.

How will you know what will work until you try it out? How will you know what stinks, until you smell up the place?

Practice.

My son is blessed with a lot of natural athletic and musical talent. He and I have discussed many times how the people who work hardest. The people who practice. nearly always come out ahead of everyone else no matter how talented. (Does he listen? NO. Teenagers!)

In sports it has become a cliche to talk about how the stars are usually the first to arrive at practice and the last to leave. Jerry Seinfeld, a multimillionaire now, still does his act at small clubs around the country. Even in blogging, a daily update will almost always trump a weekly one.

Practice.

So the point today is brought to us courtesy of Nike, “Just Do It.”

If you speak, then speak as often as you can.

If you write, write daily.

Practice.

Another benefit is, over time, we learn that failure doesn’t hurt, won’t kill us, and is temporary.

Practice.

Practice your writing skills by dropping me a comment or two. You can always subscribe For Free! just press the button upper right.

And remember, I am available for your corporate and association humorous speaking needs.