It's true... "Everything you want is just outside your comfort zone." Last night I proved that when I went to perform comedy at a venue that was out of my comfort zone.
(Source)
I've been doing comedy for about 9 years, off and on. After a two year break I am back in it almost full time. I was asked to perform on a Monday night at a hip-hop music showcase. The DJ, the bartender and I were the only white people in the room. The DJ and I were probably the only two people over the age of 40.
Being the only white guy, didn't really bother me, but I've only performed comedy at comedy shows. This was different. This was a crowd that came to hear music, and here I am trying to perform comedy in-between two rap groups. No stage, just me and a mic in front of about 50 people who all were talking and barely paying attention.
What did I do? I stepped out of my comfort zone and told jokes...
I opened with this joke...
"So a lot of you might be wondering why I am here. I'm not really a comic, I really work at Starbucks and they sent me here for diversity training."
Well, I got two laughs, but almost every person in the room turned to see what I was going to say next. After that, I had them. By the end of my 10 minute set I had most of the room laughing and got a great applause after it was over.
I stepped out of my comfort zone and ended up coming up with a lot of new jokes because of the crowd. I worked on a lot of new material and even though I was talking about racial tensions to an all black audience. I got laughs... a lot of laughs. It just goes to show that the people of the world want to laugh and enjoy life. Often it's just the media and the politicians that want to divide us.
For me, it was great. I stepped out of the comfort zone and feel like I am a more confident and a better comedian now.
My advice to you, step out of your comfort zone, because it will make you better.
Thank you for reading and I hope you have a wonderful day.
Let me know your thoughts in the comments below.
i'm putting this into postpromotions located in comedyopenmic discord - https://discord.gg/uy8KTds
you my friend, is exactly the kind of Steemian we've all been looking for, my question is where have you been in the last 9 Rounds of #ComedyOpenMic / @ComedyOpenMic good Sir?
This great funny, I like your comedy. keep it up.
Hahaha......what a nice joke!!! 😃😃😃
This is quite motivating..
We all get timid at point whrre we should explore..
We just seem too bothered about the tought of others.
Its my thing too..
niicee ahahhahaahha ♡
A perfect statement. Comfort.zone is a golden cage. It is made up of gold but it is still a cage. You cannot leave it, you can never be free. You can just be satisfied by the fact that its made of gold.
YOUR COMFORT DESTROY YOU, if you want to get something you will have to break the chain of this comfort!
Couldn't agree more. Well done and great post!
That would definitely be intimidating, but I'm sure you are glad you went through with it. Gotta get outta your comfort zone like you said.
Hi @walkingkeys - I had a similar circumstance last year. I'm a white older guy who works as a magician and mind reader mostly for white crowds in the midwestern US. I was hired for a private party last year for an African American group.
I started out a little bit nervous at the get-go, but guess what? As it turns out, black folks like magic, mind-reading, and my jokes that go along with 'em just like white folks! I tried to connect with people, and not worry about the amount of melanin in our skin. I did "regular me" because that's the only shtick I know! It turned out to be a fantastic show!
I think laughter puts people in a zone of comfort.