Don’t Rest On Your Laurels …

Have you ever heard the term:

Don’t Rest On Your Laurels.

Resting on your laurels means you get complacent. Lazy. You bask in past successes rather than continue to achieve.

I Googled the term as I was writing this article. As often as I have heard it, and even used it, I was unaware of the history.

It turns out, in Ancient Greece – athletes were awarded laurel wreaths when they were victorious. These were signs of excellence and great accomplishments.

Today they just give out medals.

Turns out the Romans liked the idea of laurel wreaths too. Roman generals were presented with them when victorious in battle.

So resting on your laurels in ancient Greece meant the athlete got lazy. The Romans lost their empire.

And that right there, should be a lesson for all of us.

At the 2019 Vent Haven ConVENTion, I’ve been asked to do the beginner ventriloquism lecture. I presented it with Ken Groves back in 2017.

They hold this Wednesday night after the show. At the same time the dealers rooms open. Can you say “huge crowd?”

You can if you are in the dealers rooms.

Every year I see a lot of people head through the doors of the show room. They run out eager to get first crack at the new puppets.

Some of them have way too many puppets.

It is sad, because some of these people return year after year to the conVENTion. And they never get any better.

Ken Groves says the same thing every year. “How can you go to all the workshops, watch all the shows, listen to the lectures – and still not improve?”

Right now you may be thinking, I thought we were talking about laurel wreaths …

Bear with me Bunky!

Most attendees feel that the basic ventriloquism lecture is for the red dotters. (First time attendees.)

The basic ventriloquism lecture is for everyone who wants to learn, or refresh, or improve their skills.

But many of the people at the conVENTion prefer to “rest on their laurels.”

They know the basics, so they are fine. They don’t need the refresher. They don’t need the improvement.

They are like those Greek Athletes that stopped exercising.

Or those Roman Generals who figured they had already won the last battle.

So here is my answer to Ken’s question – and I say it every time he asks…

“You have to put what you learn into practice. And some don’t.”

Don’t be “that” ventriloquist.

When you have a great show, do you go home and continue to practice just as hard as always? (Assuming you do practice …)

Or do you put away the puppet and think, I’ve got this next show – no problem.

Ventriloquism is a skill you either use or you lose.

Don’t rest on your laurels.

Thoughts? Comments? Let me know below …