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The Trick To Being Funny

21 Aug

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48 Comments">48 Comments

Leadership

The Trick To Being Funny

August 21, 2012 | By | 48 Comments">48 Comments

Recently, I had the pleasure of interviewing author and speaker Jon Acuff for an EntreLeadership Podcast.

As always, for ChrisLoCurto.com readers, we kept the tape rolling. At our extra interview, we discussed:

  • The importance of humor in business.
  • What is the story you’re going to tell?
  • Why “the start” may be one of the most vital things you do.
  • Having the freedom to fail.

Check it out. I know you’ll really enjoy our discussion as much as I did.

Click the player to hear.

[powerpress]

If you don’t see the player, click here.

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  • http://www.tammyhelfrich.com/ Tammy Helfrich

    Great interview with Jon. I love this thought and can’t wait for Jon’s new book about it. “The only line we control is the starting line. We don’t have control over the finish line. But the start? You own that.” Great stuff as always.

    • http://www.ChrisLoCurto.com Chris LoCurto

      Amazing that he’s funny AND smart. :-) Thanks Tammy!!

  • http://www.toddliles.com/ Todd Liles

    Jon and Chris, I quit 2.5 years ago, and I love it! I will be at a Quitter Conference in the future! Scheduling doesn’t work right now.

  • http://www.facebook.com/andrew.long.9440 Andrew Long

    I LOVE the podcast. Keep the great shows coming. I had two questions:
    #1: Would you ever consider packaging the podcasts on a CD to sell as a group? I would love to use it with my leadership team.
    #2: What is the song that plays at the end of the podcast? it is a great way to end each show.

  • http://www.SevenPillarsOfSuccess.Net Louise Thaxton

    I will listen to the podcast this evening – can’t wait – I need to know the “trick” to being funny! We sure do need a laugh in the mortgage business – something other than when we hear that the two jillion page Dodd-Frank rule did not create any extra expenses, extra time or extra trouble for the customer. When I hear that – well, all I can think is – “Now THAT is funny…….!”

    Sorry – had to share just a little mortgage joke there.

    • http://www.ChrisLoCurto.com Chris LoCurto

      HAHAHA….just saying Dodd-Frank makes me laugh! Ok, and cry a little.

  • Sandra Springer

    Wouldn’t it be funny if I posted something insanely serious here. I’m not, but it would be funny.

    • http://www.ChrisLoCurto.com Chris LoCurto

      HAHAHA…I bet you would get some great insight from the CLoBlogTribe!

  • Laura Johnson

    Test…taketwo

    • http://www.ChrisLoCurto.com Chris LoCurto

      WOOT WOOT!

  • Laura Johnson

    Test…

  • Matt_McWilliams

    Mmmmm A Gossip Vitamin.

    I needed to hear that my daughter really doesn’t care about “ample closet space.” But boy does she light up when I walk in a room.

  • http://www.indueseason.net skottydog

    What’s the only thing better than an Entre podcast with Jon Acuff and follow-up blog post from podcast?

    A bonus episode/blog post! Sa-weeet! Thanks, guys! You can never gain too much wisdom from Jon. The best quote from the show is “The trick to being funny is the willingness to be unfunny 1000x first.” For me, maybe it’s 10,000. But I’m still trying!

    • http://www.ChrisLoCurto.com Chris LoCurto

      BAH!!!…wait…was that serious? ;-)

  • http://www.twitter.com/erikjfisher/ Erik Fisher

    The ‘No Gossip’ policy made such an impact on me a few years ago when a friend forwarded it to me. From that point forward, even before the EntreLeadersip book came out, I’ve been seeking out more ‘best practices’ like that.

    • http://www.ChrisLoCurto.com Chris LoCurto

      It’s crazy what happens when you get rid of the cancer.

  • http://caroldublin.com/ Carol Dublin

    Great interview, as usual. I liked the part about accepting and encouraging talk about failure or mistakes – it is so true that the best way to learn is through failure, and sometimes I think we make it something to hide Great to have it in the open to learn more. I also love the part about just starting without seeing the end. Looking forward to the book.

    • http://www.ChrisLoCurto.com Chris LoCurto

      No doubt. We have to realize that life will have it’s failures and it’s ok.

  • http://www.joshuarivers.net/ Joshua Rivers

    I don’t have time to listen now, but I’m looking forward to it! “Having the freedom to fail” – love that thought!

  • http://unknownjim.com/ Jim Woods

    Jon is such a great guy. It is such an honor to work with him. Great interview Chris. I really love that you attacked the topic of fear. Fear is what stops us from being great and making a difference.

    • http://www.ChrisLoCurto.com Chris LoCurto

      It’s something that I constantly have to remind myself of.

      • http://unknownjim.com/ Jim Woods

        Absolutely. If you aren’t encountering fear, you are probably just taking the easy route.

  • http://twitter.com/Skropp2 Mark Sieverkropp

    Great interview brother. I love his point about focusing on the start. I think often we wanna see the whole race before we get off the blocks. And, at least for me, it often leads to never starting.
    (btw, I found out its only your mobile theme that I’m not able to comment on. I can in normal view, normal view is just really hard to use on a tiny iPhone screen!)

    • http://www.lilykreitinger.com/ Lily Kreitinger

      Look who’s back! Woot woot!

      • http://www.joshuarivers.net/ Joshua Rivers

        Even being gone for so long, he’ll probably still make the top of the commentator list :)

        • http://www.indueseason.net skottydog

          No, Lily has taken that slot! Actually, she has taken position #1 AND #6. Not bad for someone with a debilitating cold!

    • http://bretwortman.com/ Bret Wortman

      ’bout time.

      • http://twitter.com/Skropp2 Mark Sieverkropp

        Had to give you a fair shot at number one Bret ;)

    • http://caroldublin.com/ Carol Dublin

      Glad you’re back! And yes, I agree about focusing on the start – high C’s struggle with not seeing the whole race. I’m learning to put myself out there without necessarily knowing the end, but it’s tough!

      • http://twitter.com/Skropp2 Mark Sieverkropp

        Thanks Carol! Glad to be back

    • http://caroldublin.com/ Carol Dublin

      Glad you’re back! And yes, I agree about focusing on the start – high C’s struggle with not seeing the whole race. I’m learning to put myself out there without necessarily knowing the end, but it’s tough!

    • http://www.ChrisLoCurto.com Chris LoCurto

      You’re back!!! SAWEET!!

      • http://twitter.com/Skropp2 Mark Sieverkropp

        Oh c’mon, no one missed me THAT much. Life went on. Now we just need to make the commenting work for your mobile version..

  • http://twitter.com/epicenterone Aaron Nelson

    Thank you Chris, I’m really looking forward to the continuation. I really enjoyed the first interview – fear is such a tricky little thing: it either gets you to go all in or forces you to give up your present so you don’t get a tomorrow. (Or something like that – but that was a great interview.) You rock!

    • http://www.ChrisLoCurto.com Chris LoCurto

      Hahaha…thanks Aaron!

  • Matt_McWilliams

    Computer audio Fail. Can’t wait to get to the office to listen :)

    I saw the headline (The Trick to Being Funny) and immediately was reminded of something Jeffrey Gitomer said…the #1 trick to being funny is to listen to humor.

    It’s been a while since I listened to comedy while working or running or driving. I think it’s made me less funny…and perhaps more grumpy. It’s true, laughter makes you happy.

    So this week I will be listening to some funny stuff periodically. Expect some funny quotes on Twitter :)

    • http://twitter.com/epicenterone Aaron Nelson

      I’ll be watchin *|* — that’s my idea of doin that ‘watchin you’ hand signal where you point to your eyeballs with two fingers and then the person…. I know, extreme nerdiness. Enjoy your day.

      • http://caroldublin.com/ Carol Dublin

        Love it – very original. Thanks guys – I needed a laugh this morning!

      • http://caroldublin.com/ Carol Dublin

        Love it – very original. Thanks guys – I needed a laugh this morning!

    • http://bretwortman.com/ Bret Wortman

      I find laughing while running makes it hard to breathe. For me, at least. Maybe I’m just doing it wrong….

      • Matt_McWilliams

        I edited your comment to read:

        I running makes it hard to breathe. For me, at least. Maybe I’m just doing it wrong.

        • http://bretwortman.com/ Bret Wortman

          Ha!

      • Matt_McWilliams

        I edited your comment to read:

        I running makes it hard to breathe. For me, at least. Maybe I’m just doing it wrong.

      • http://www.ChrisLoCurto.com Chris LoCurto

        BAH!!!

    • http://twitter.com/Skropp2 Mark Sieverkropp

      Your diabolically diabolic plan has failed!! Just thought you should know!! MWAHAHAHA :)

      • Matt_McWilliams

        I tried for minutes to think of something witty to say but all that came out was “Bite me.”
        HAHA

      • Matt_McWilliams

        I tried for minutes to think of something witty to say but all that came out was “Bite me.”
        HAHA

    • http://www.ChrisLoCurto.com Chris LoCurto

      Good to hear! I am one of those people who loves to laugh. Probably too loudly for some. :-)

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