I did some stand-up yesterday. I started out strong and it got weaker after the 5th minute…of the 10 minutes I had.
Right about….there.
10 minutes is a long time for a newbie at stand-up. I wasn’t as ready as I should have been for all of those minutes. And though everyone was quite generous with their compliments and my friends loved and spoiled me with their kindest words - acknowledging my neuroses, being the lovely humans that they are - I knew when I slipped and fell flat.
I felt it.
I stumbled through and, always the professional, soldiered on with a smile to hide my shame and self-doubt. Maybe I didn’t actually hide it. I think the audience could feel when I fell. Being a likeable enough face and a relatable enough character helps people be nice to you.
To be good at something, it’s a good idea to try to remain as likeable as possible.
It gives you the opportunity to keep trying and learning. And if you really want to be good, you’ll need the practice.
“What do you think?”
Do you think that being likeable matters in a field where public practicing is key?
Do you think evoking love or hate from people are equally effective to getting better at a public craft?
Does it even matter to you if you are liked? Are you so evolved and well-adjusted, you couldn’t care less if others liked you? If so, how did you get there? Inquiring minds want to know…