We Need More Absurdity

The other day, I bought a throne. Yep, look at that thing. I'm a huge guy. I'm 6'2" and super wide and roundish. And yet, my 19 year old son (who's pretty much a clone) and I can sit on it side by side, just fine.

But why a throne? Because why not? It's silly. It's also now the *first* thing anyone sees and then comments about upon entering my place. It's a starting point, an ice breaker, a conversation maker.

We Could Be a Little More Absurd

I'm often half-complimented about how I say things at work. For instance, I was trying to correct a small problem with a communications issue, and I said, "Well, I'm about half grumpy, so that's good news. We can probably figure this out before I reach full grumpy."

No one says "grumpy" in a business conversation. But why not? In the context, both parties understood it. And we both smirked, knowing that while there was an issue being addressed, it was also not an "end of the world" conversation, so we didn't have to sound especially dramatic.

One of Our Biggest Fears is the Enemy Here

People hate to feel stupid. If you break down most people's fear of public speaking it's that they're worried they'll not be prepared, or that they'll seem like they're not the expert. If you ask anyone around the office if they like looking dumb, you know what they'll say.

But the difference between "stupid" and just "absurd" is that you get to control your image a bit more with absurdity and you're aiming for "doesn't make a big deal out of themselves." People who can throw a little bit of humor or whimsy into their persona often tend to be more appreciated and admired professionally. It's why US Presidents try (and often fail) to tell jokes.

While being a clown might not be the ultimate goal, maybe there's room for wearing crazy socks . (By the way, learn about that company. Great people!)

Pattern Recognition's Beige Side

Humans love to find patterns. It comes from a survival mechanism we had for years that kept us safe from sabertooth tigers. Pattern recognition (spotting similarities and repetition and identifying traits) is something we love as people. We get a chemical reward when our brains do it.

The opposite of that kind of feeling is when something slips right by us. I call it the "beige side" of pattern recognition because no one ever rushes into a room, looks around and shouts, "I just LOVE beige!" Our minds discount generic and bland and expected materials all the time.

The risk for YOU, then, is that if you act and communicate and operate completely in manners (and using words and phrases) that people would expect from you, what's to say that you're not an especially "beige side" to people's perceptions. Are you boring people with beige reactions?

"How are you?" "Not bad."

"How's it going?" "Okay."

"What's up?" "Nothing much."

Scream now. Or, if you want to slip a little absurdity and uniqueness into the world, think about new ways to answer those questions.

"How are you?" "I'm so good, they're making a movie about it."

"How's it going?" "I'd say about 80."

"What's up?" "Helium!"

Or Go Back to Doing What You've Been Doing

Because maybe it's better that you don't stand out. Maybe you should be just like everyone else.

Naw. Be a very unique version of you. Again, you don't have to go full weirdo (I have, but I'm me). But you could at least sneak in a little more perspective about who you are and what you represent and what matters to you, and heck, just plain random absurdity.

What have you got to lose?

-- Chris...