What Scares Me
Here are a couple videos of events that have scared the living bejesus outta me…I’m sure there are more ahead… :-)
My FIRST stand-up show in Los Angeles
When I initially signed up for a stand-up class, I thought “this is going to be fun.” As I got closer to my first show, I thought, “why did I ever think this is going to be FUN?!”
At my first open mic (where comics get up to test material), I was selected at random to go on FIRST in front of about 40 other comics. When I heard my name read, I went into absolute paralysis. I don’t remember much of what happened during that set, though I do know that:
- the stage was not set in fire in protest to my jokes
- I did not throw up and run out of the room
- there were actually a couple of legit chuckles!
Things got better, though I was still pretty nervous for my first show at an actual club with paying customers. What if they mutiny?!
I knew I couldn’t control what happened, so I set two goals for myself during my time onstage:
- Don’t look at my set list (the order of my jokes), which was located in my back pocket
- Breathe and stay in the moment – don’t rush through it
Here’s what happened…
First phone call with my father in 10 years
I had this planned anyway, but shot this video as part of the Youtube “Life in a Day” project, so that’s why you’ll hear me talk about Shakespeare and what’s in my pockets.
As much as I thought I was ready for this, it was so nerve-wracking. I still get the jitters watching myself dial and wait, ’cause I remember what that felt like.
At the time, these were enormous events in my life, completely taking over all my thoughts and making me a nervous wreck. And here’s what I learned: I did them and am still here.
Do the thing you fear and the death of fear is certain. ~Ralph Waldo Emerson
So what scares you, and have you faced it?
I’d love to hear your answer to that below as well as any other comments you have.