[Flash] When John Candy Mentored Conan O’Brien (Ready to Reword your NY Resolutions?)

Late-night talk show host Conan O'Brien attended Harvard University in the early 80s and considered law school. But he was also drawn to comedy. ?

While at Harvard, Conan served as President of the?Harvard Lampoon, the school's humor magazine. There, he met the comedic genius and Saturday Night Live (SNL) icon, John Candy. ?

When Candy visited the campus at the magazine's invitation, Conan assisted as his guide for the day.? ?

Sharing the experience in a recent interview, Conan reflected, "I don't see myself as a brave or reckless person. I had worked so hard to get to that college, and I knew my parents would kill me for trying this thing (comedy) that famously flames out for most people."? ?

So Conan mustered his courage , measured his words, and nervously confessed: "Mr. Candy, I'm thinking I might try comedy." ?

Candy's head snapped to attention, and in a role not dissimilar to Yoda in the Star Wars saga, he looked straight at Conan and said sternly, "You don't try comedy. You do it, or you don't do it." ?

"That hit me powerfully," Conan mused 40 years later.? ?

This unexpected mentoring galvanized Conan - he ditched his backup plan, skipped the law school entrance exam, and declared, "I'm going to make comedy work!" ?

Conan graduated the following year, moved to LA to write for HBO, SNL, and The Simpsons, hosted three late-night television shows, and became a stand-up comedian. ?

Candy's mentoring was based on a concept in psychology called "self-signaling," in which we use our words and actions to "signal" our intentions and commitment to ourselves. ?

"I'm going to try" is a vague signal, a hope, a dream. "I'm doing" is a concrete signal, a commitment, an intention.?

Vague: I'm thinking about more education.

Committed: I am getting my master's degree. ?

Vague: I'm working on my self-confidence.?

Committed: I am confident and capable. ?

Vague: I am hoping to become a leader.

Committed: I contribute, influence, and lead in every situation. ?

It's scary declaring intentions - there is no safety net. Our commitments are impenetrable by excuses.? ?

But intentions are always more potent than hopes and dreams.? ?

As we plow into 2024, don't underestimate the power of your words?(and your mentee's words) to self-signal commitment and fuel actions.?? ?

Why bother "trying" when we can "tackle, toil, and triumph!"?

? 2024. Ann Tardy and MentorLead. www.mentorlead.com . All Rights Reserved.

ps. Have you registered yet for our 2024-Q1?complimentary webinar?? "Unlock the Power of Mentoring Programs to Retain Nurses, Improve Leadership, and Strengthen Your Hospital" Date: Thurs Feb 29 @ 11am PT | 2pm ET Register:?https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_Q692btvAQ72Ybi9JRvjlKA