Want to know why comedy is important?
Curious about what makes something funny?
Want to use humor for your passion project?
Steve Kaplan joins us on the Guided Goals Podcast, and we’re going to talk about comedy.
Steve is the author of the best-selling The Hidden Tools of Comedy, as well as a script consultant who teaches comedy writing and performance workshops around the world.
Steve talks about the importance of comedy, how to use humor in business, and more. Steve has a background in theatre. He became fixated on why people laugh or why they were not laughing. Hence, his study of comedy.
The Importance of Comedy
If you don’t have comedy, the horrible things remain horrible, Steve explains. Comedy is the ability to put things in perspective and realize whatever we do here is okay, as long as we’re kind.
Among other things, comedy teaches you to not be hard on yourself or on others. A comedian is somebody sharing the truth about what it’s like to be human and using themselves as an example.
Even though drama or great art is thought to be serious, comedy is as important as anything else.
How to Use Comedy
Use comedy to humanize yourself. Try a little self-deprecation. A sense of humor shows people you are vulnerable, empathetic, and someone who keeps things in perspective. People want to know you are serious, but not so serious you lose sight of what is and is not important.
If you are going to promote yourself, a sense of humor is of great value. For instance the most popular Super Bowl commercials are the ones that use humor.
One caveat: since Steven promotes workshops about how to be funny, he can’t be funny when promoting them. He just tries to be factual. And, if he is on video or speaking with someone and humor comes out, that’s fine. It’s just him being real.
Everyone is Funny
Sarah Silverman said everyone is funny, professionals are funny on command. Amateurs aren;t always funny when they want to be.
You do not have to be a professional comedian to infuse your work with humor. For example, Ted Talks are mostly done by scientists or academics or economists. The Ted Talks you like are the ones that make you laugh. And they do that by sharing their own humanity. It’s not clever jokes.
If the thing that pops out of your mouth is “what a stupid person you are,” that’s not comedy, because you are focusing on someone else’s faults. Comedy is focusing on your own faults and sharing them with others.
Writing Funny
If you are writing something, if it’s meant to be performed, you have to hear it with people saying the words. Your job is to hear what you did, whether it’s funny or not, and know the difference. Also, make a digital recording of everything, so you can listen and see what got laughs and what got no reaction.
Don’t try to be funny. The worst sitcoms are the ones desperately trying to make you laugh and they’ll do anything. If you want to learn how to write sharp, funny lines, join Twitter. You have 140 characters to be witty.
Also, if you want to be funny, hang around other funny people. Take an improv class or go to a sketch comedy show. Put yourself in a position where others are trying to do similar things, so you can learn from each other.
You can’t be funny by yourself. Who is going to tell you that you are brilliant?
Work/Life Balance
Steve, who has been married for 39 years, and his wife like to watch things together and laugh.
When Steve figured out how to be artistic and eat well at the same time, life became easier, he explains.
A wise man once said, “Being a genius doesn’t come with dental.” People who have day jobs and their vision think they need to be successful first, and then work on their vision.Figure out how to have a good life while also pursuing your vision, and then shift over to just doing your vision.
If you are desperate, it doesn’t work. Don’t wait to be happy after you are successful. It’s happy first. Then successful.
Personal Goal of the Week: Watch something funny with someone.
Professional Goal of the Week 1: Start a notebook of observations about yourself to bring more awareness. That way, when you are working on your speaking or writing projects, you have a go-to list of things to say about yourself.
Professional Goal of the Week 2: Be funny on social media to share and test out your thoughts.
Want to learn more about comedy? Listen to the entire interview on iTunes or Stitcher.
Watch the video:
The Guided Goals Podcast gives you the tools, direction, and resources you need to pursue your passion project. Thanks for tuning in.
Subscribe on iTunes, Stitcher or SoundCloud, and leave a review.
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About Debra: A project catalyst, Debra Eckerling works with individuals and small businesses to create a strategy, set goals and manage their projects. Follow Debra @GuidedGoals, Like Guided Goals on Facebook, Subscribe to YouTube.
The Guided Goals Podcast gives you the tools, direction, and resources you need to pursue your passion project. Thanks for tuning in.
Subscribe on iTunes, Stitcher or SoundCloud, and leave a review.
* * *
About Debra: A project catalyst, Debra Eckerling works with individuals and small businesses to create a strategy, set goals and manage their projects. Follow Debra @GuidedGoals, Like Guided Goals on Facebook, Subscribe to YouTube.
