“I wish to paint like a bird sings.”
-Claude Monet
Plenty of new comedians obsess about “finding your voice.” That makes it sound like you need to search for it. But maybe it’s more like you need to let it come to you. In fact, maybe crowds are teaching you what your voice is all the time…if you’re listening.
This advice from
has stuck with me:When you are on stage, look out for the moments people laugh but there wasn’t a punchline. This should point you in the direction of the moments where you are being peak “you”.
It’s great advice. When are you funny without even trying to be? Because there’s a lesson in alignment there. At those moments, something about who you really are (the natural you, not the trying you) struck a laughter chord with them. Notice that and try to bottle it up and use it more – but without strangling it. It takes a lot of effort to seem effortless.
Surrender to Your Nature [Write of Passage]:
Claude Monet once said, “I wish to paint like a bird sings.” A bird does not try to sing; it just does. Similarly, you have an organic talent that comes to you when you stop trying and surrender to the rhythm of your own innate gifts. Only in effortlessness can your creativity unfurl its wings and take melodious flight.
dear matt,
you're right that caroline clifford is right!
"When you are on stage, look out for the moments people laugh but there wasn’t a punchline. This should point you in the direction of the moments where you are being peak 'you'" is INCREDIBLY insightful advice!
everyone! listen to me telling you to listen to matt telling you to listen to caroline telling you to listen to your audience who is listening to YOU!
love
myq