You like being a stand-up comedian. You enjoy the lifestyle. You get to hang out in bars, hear great jokes and spend time with funny people. There’s only one problem: You suck. No one likes you or your stupid act. Your joke about phone booths makes no sense. When was the last time you saw a phone booth, dummy?

So now you feel bad about yourself. But what can you about it? Well, you can work hard to improve but that sounds like a lot of hard work. And let’s face it; you probably won’t improve much anyway. So now what?

Have you ever thought about making fun of a comedian who’s worse than you?

Well, why not? Critizing others is a great way to feel better about yourself! It’s fun! It’s easy! But most of all … okay, I can’t think of a third thing. But fun and easy should be enough. Plus, it’s a great way to build confidence and self-esteem. And research has shown, probably, that pointing out the flaws of others helps draw attention away from our own flaws. Rolling your eyes, for example, is not only a great way to express yourself; it’s also good for your eyes!

Now don’t get me wrong, I’m not talking about heckling. You don’t want to look like a jerk.

I’m talking about quiet heckling. Snide comments made just loud enough for your friends at the table to hear. Things like, “That joke was funny when the three wise men told it to baby Jesus.”

“That guy totally killed! …My love of comedy!”

“I have a spot on my lung that’s funnier than him.”

Now who’s getting laughs? Not the guy on stage, that’s for sure!

Try it! Just a few well-timed barbs at the expense of another and before I know it, I’m feeling like a pretty big man.
Continue reading OPINION: POSITIVE MENTAL ATTITUDE by Colin O’Brien