I was reading a post on company values.
I’m a firm believer that if you look just inside your own art that you stagnate. You begin to copy others or become a slightly altered alternative.
The more you read, the more you know.
The more you study other forms of business and entertainment, the more you can grow.
So back to the post I was reading …
The company values for Coca-Cola included:
Collaboration – leverage collective genius.
I try to do that. I bounce ideas off Ken Groves, Mark Wade and a local comedian friend, Randy David. They respond with their thoughts and ideas to help punch up the delivery.
Who are the funniest people you know?
They don’t have to be ventriloquists. Your collective genius could be a funny friend or relative. Maybe someone in another art, such as a magician or juggler.
Assemble your team and leverage your collective genius.
Intergrity – be real.
Don’t be a copy. Be you, be real. Don’t deliver jokes the same way you read them on the Internet. Add your own voice, change the lines, develop your own delivery.
They always say a cover band is never as good as the original.
I believe that is true – although Flight of the Concords say they are the second favorite band in New Zealand, right behind Tribute To The Flight of the Concords.
Accountability – If it is to be, it is up to me.
I love this value.
I was told growing up that if I want something I must work for it. Today, I get the impression a lot of people expect things to be bestowed on them.
If you want to have lip control, it is up to you. No one else can practice for you. There is no “secret” to this.
You know it is possible to achieve. Terry Fator, Ronn Lucas, Dan Horn, Ken Groves, Mark Wade, all have lip control. They believed that if it was to be, it was up to them.
If you want to be original, it is up to you. There are resources out there to help you learn. Beyond those it is up to you to put your education to work. And you know it is possible.
If you want to achieve success, that also is up to you. You must make it happen. You must be so good no one can ignore you. You must be persistent in your goals.
The people I’ve mentioned above, the stars of radio, YouTube, television and the movies – are no different than you.
Seriously!
They are people with brains, arms & legs. I’m assuming you are too.
Some have had circumstances worse than you may find yourself in.
But they knew if it was to be, it was up to them. So they persisted.
Don’t believe me? Read some biographies of famous people. I love the bio for Walt Disney. Have you read the bio of Paul Winchell? How about Robin Williams? Or Jim Carrey? Or Born Standing Up, one of my favorites about Steve Martin‘s career?
If it is to be, it is up to me.
This is a value worth framing and looking at every day. A value you should repeat any time you feel discouraged. Or anytime you don’t feel like doing something.
