Embrace the Awkwardness
I speak in front of groups of people all the time, but just thinking about trying to do stand-up comedy makes me uncomfortable. Hearing *crickets* in front of a live audience would make me curl up in a ball and hide.
Comedians go through the uncomfortable process of putting themselves out there. They develop thick skin in the process.
I wonder whether the courage demonstrated by President Volodymyr Zelensky might have something to do with his comedic background.
I recently listened to a podcast with Ayelet Fishbach, the author of the book Get It Done. She and a colleague conducted a study with students of improv comedy. Those who embraced awkwardness benefited more than those who didn’t.
Even if we do not have a funny bone in our bodies, we can find our own ways to get comfortable with discomfort.
Just don’t expect to see me anywhere near a comedy stage.