FUN COMMANDMENT NINE:
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The best ideas are merely intellectual curiosities until put into action. Success is measured by action. Life is not a spectator sport.
We must have a plan of action. Even if it calls for us to do nothing for now, planned passivity is better than immobilization by despair. Yes, there is risk involved in taking action. In fact, there is a certain degree of risk in every breath we take. But if we are willing to be bold in putting our humor nature into action, we will find that the risks have been vastly overrated. Others are surprisingly receptive and supportive, once we take the initiative.
Which brings us to the second aspect of this “commandment” — interacting. Nobody achieves success without help from others. Even the Lone Ranger, the quintessential symbol for going it alone, had Tonto at his side.
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Have you noticed that your sense of humor becomes stronger the moment it connects with another person? Amusing yourself is better than nothing. Sharing your humor with others is the best.
You will find that if you make the effort to reach out with humor, others will be eager to meet you more than half way.
Here’s an exercise to help with this challenge:
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| Exercise #9: |
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Reach out. Engage other people at every opportunity. A childlike, playful spirit is the best approach. Despite the impersonal tendencies of modern technology, there are many everyday situations in which we find ourselves in close proximity to other people. Do we interact? Usually not.
A prime example is a ride in an elevator. Here we have a small room, many people, and no windows. So what do we do with this golden opportunity to interact? We stare silently at the numbers over the door.
Don’t ever let this happen to you again. Say something - anything. Break the silence.
My favorite ploy is to announce, “If I’d known so many were coming to this meeting, I’d have reserved a bigger room.” Then I’ll ask for somebody to give the treasurer’s report. Someone usually “volunteers”, and has some fun with it. I’ll ask departing passengers how they want to vote on the upcoming merger issue. Newcomers are greeted with, “You m issed the first part of the meeting, but don’t feel left out. We elected you president.” By the time we’ve gone a few floors, everybody’s smiling and having fun. It’s silly. But it’s better than staring at the numbers.
There are many similar situations. It’s ludicrous to be thrown into face-to-face contact and have nothing to say to each other.
Don’t let it happen. Reach out. You never know whom you might meet.
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