Four Life Lessons I Learned From Funnyman John Crist

by Jennifer Kaufman

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Yesterday I talked with a friend who is a drummer. I complimented him on his ability to master the dynamics – controlling the oh-so-important loud and soft, lows and highs of a powerful song. He said, “That means a lot. Most people’s go-to compliment for drummers is, ‘Dude, that was sick! Really loud!’  And I think, ‘Well, that is sort of the nature of the instrument…‘  It’s nice to be recognized for something that requires a bit more work.”

That made me wonder: do comedians and comic actors enjoy being recognized for who they are beyond the jokes? I suppose I should ask my new friend John Crist.  John is an incredibly talented comedian who is quickly gaining traction around the world – but at Jon Acuff’s Start Conference 2013, amidst the hilarity and side-splitting laughter, his words hit home in a powerful way to that building full of diverse dreamers.

Here are four of my takeaways:

1. The phrase “dream job” has two words.  We tend to favor the “dream” part, but often ignore the second half.  People don’t suddenly wake up as the president of a company or the pioneer of a field.  Most of us were not born so famous that we can expect to sell an album or a book on name alone.  Achieving your dreams – whatever they may be –  requires hard work.  For Crist, this includes a timesheet he uses to chart the hours he has put in to master his craft. He clocks in and out as he works at his goals, in order to both hold himself accountable and track the effects of his work.

2. Stop making career choices every day.  If John banked everything on one performance in front of a small, disengaged audience, or hears feedback from someone who says they wouldn’t have stayed to listen no matter how much the ticket cost, he could call it quits.  If he looks at a packed house and focuses on the praise of a sold-out crowd, hearing their laughter in his head louder than any other voices, he might make a rash decision and take on more than he can handle.  The same is true of your journey and mine.  Don’t quit your day job after one blog post goes viral or your mom says you should be an actor.  But don’t you dare quit hustling on your dream because one person criticizes you.  For balance, always look at the big picture.

3. If you fail – and you will – allow the shortest possible time to pass before trying again.  Jon Acuff discusses this a bit in his book, Start.  If Crist has a show that bombs at 7pm, he almost immediately has a chance to put it behind him with the 9pm show.  Delivering a win after what feels like a loss is one of the best ways to ensure that “failure” doesn’t define you.  If you get a bad review and sit on it for days, weeks, months?  Not only will it be harder to try again after ruminating on it, but you may begin to find your identity in that one misstep.  (Hint: It’s not there. I promise.)

And the one that inspired me the most… the one that convicted me and challenged me on a level akin to the best motivational speakers and pastors I’ve heard…

4. “If you have a gift and you’re not using it, shame on you.  You’re robbing everyone of what you were put on this earth to do.  I believe you’ll have to answer for that.”

Boom.

Let that soak in.

Many of you know how you’re gifted, how you’re wired.  Maybe you don’t know exactly what your life’s road map will look like, including every twist, turn and pit stop along the way.  You know what?  Stop using that as an excuse.  (And to be clear, I’m talking first to myself). You probably know what you’re good at, what you have always loved. It’s not by accident that you were made that way, with that combination of gifts and passions.

A special thanks to John for sharing his passion, his heart, his voice, and his wisdom.  And of course, for this epic display of embracing one’s failure:

 

Jennifer Kaufman is a musician, Disney aficionado, wannabe runner, writer and – most importantly – wife of an amazing husband and mom of three incredible kids. Her heart is for helping people be real, and to realize we’re more alike than we like to let on.  Come say hello (and maybe find your story!) at JenniferKaufman.net or connect with her on twitter @jnkaufman.