Lessons Learned from the Greatest Stand Up Comics in the World

Lessons Learned from Stand Up Comics - I am writing this post as I listen to the Joe Rogan podcast with Andrew Dice Clay.  I am not a stand up comic and never will be a stand up comic.  However, I learn so much from the experienced stand up comics who have spent their careers honing their craft.  Here are some of the tips that I have learned:

Lessons Learned from Stand Up Comics

1. You have to be willing to be really bad for a while - Most comics will not be good at the beginning.  With writing (what I do), I may not be good at what I do, but nobody is criticizing me on a regular basis.  With comedy, you have to deal with fans who do not want to see you, who may be angry, etc.  You have to go through this for five years before you can even be considered competent.

2. Writing Rules - Writing is not about getting up there and working.  It is about writing and writing and writing.  Writing happens when you are alone at night, dealing with your mind racing a million miles a minute.  You have to be aware that most of what you produce will not be very good and will go to waste.  You do the work and do the work and do the work and nobody will know about anything you do, especially if you give up before you hit your level of success.

3. Insecurities never go away - Regardless of how good you get, insecurities never go away.  The self defeating talk will always be there and will attack you at the worst moments.  As you get more successful, these insecurities will become stronger.

4. Repetition is key - Comics perform between 3 and 5 times a night in different places in front of different crowds.  Sometimes, they can do up to 8 sets a night.  Those who can put in the repetitions over and over will be in a better position in the long run.

5. You have to perform even when life is not going well - It is easy to perform when life is going well, but there will be times when life is not going so well.  It is very hard to be funny when life is not going so well.  You have to develop the experience and develop the willpower to be able to work these times.

Stand up comedy, writing or anything in life requires a lot of work over a period of time to even broach the topic of being decent at what you do.