What’s So Funny?

Introduction

We need to laugh more.?Especially in our profession.?Especially at ourselves.?Especially with our clients.?We’ve become too serious.?

We’re afraid of cracking jokes or sharing funny anecdotes because they might unintentionally offend.?Always on guard; walking on eggshells; defensive communications.?As a society, we’ve become way too sensitive, thus, we build powerful walls to keep joy out, while living with constant stress and discomfort.?And when we do laugh, it’s usually to escape reality, rather than joyfully celebrate it.?And when it comes to the process of seeking new jobs, most job seekers and coaches tend to disengage entirely from humor. ?What could possibly be funny about a job search?

Laughter is the best medicine

I’ve told this story before… I worked with Andrea when she was a job candidate.?A few years later, she left the workforce and became a successful entrepreneur, as she launched her own upscale consignment shop.?After just her first year in business, she hosted a grand opening in her new dream location. I was out of town and unable to attend, so I sent flowers.

Weeks later, when I called Andrea to follow up, she shared the excitement about the grand opening and thanked me for the flowers.?She said, “The flowers you sent were gorgeous – way over the top.?But what did the message, that came with the flowers, mean?”

“What?” I asked. ?I didn’t understand the question.

“It said, ‘may you rest in peace,’” Andrea replied.

I nearly fell over in my seat. This was a $200 flower arrangement! And the note I dictated over the phone to Tony, was definitely not, may you rest in peace. “Oh my, Andrea. The florist obviously sent the wrong note. I am so, so sorry,” I cried out, totally embarrassed; and not too happy with my bud, Tony the Florist.

Andrea laughingly replied, “The flowers were sensational and the note was hilarious. I will never forget either.” Nice, but not my intention.

Later, I called Tony the Florist. “Hey, Tony it’s Jay. You know I love you, but not so much right now. That $200 arrangement you sent out for me two weeks ago, to Andrea… you sent it with the message, May you rest in peace,” I bellowed out.

Silence. Then, “Hey Jay,” Tony said laughing. “I’m really sorry.?You are correct, we sent the wrong note. But the good news is - thank goodness Andrea got the right flowers!?And hey, come to think of it, can you imagine the expressions on the faces of the deceased’s family, when they read your note to the deceased: Wishing you the best in your new location!”??

I cracked up.?Then, with a huge smile, I re-envisioned Andrea getting the ‘rest in peace’ message. That’s a story she’ll always remember and tell.?My frustration and disappointment were curtailed; actually transformed.?Many times, in the midst of fear or anguish, someone says a funny one-liner and it breaks the ice for everyone. When used correctly, humor is the best medicine for emotional distress.?

Consider the following quotes from a few notables:

-?????????"Doing nothing is very hard to do… you never know when you're finished." (Leslie Nielsen)

-?????????"The only thing that ever sat its way to success was a hen." (Sarah Brown)

-?????????“When you’re green, you're growing, and when you’re ripe, you start to rot.” (Ray Kroc)

-?????????"Hard work never killed anybody, but why take a chance?" (Edgar Bergen)

-?????????“If you can’t convince ‘em, confuse ‘em.”?(Harry Truman)

-?????????“I’m extraordinarily patient so long as I get my own way.” (Margaret Thatcher)

-?????????"I always give 100% at work: 10% Monday, 23% Tuesday, 40% Wednesday, 22% Thursday, and 5% Friday." (Anonymous)

-?????????"My first boss suggested I begin every training presentation with a joke. So, the first slide of my presentation was my paycheck." (Jay Block)

Just by asking the question “What’s funny about this?” can change your emotions and how you feel – instantly.?When job seekers and coaching professionals integrate humor more often and more consciously into job campaigns, rapid success ensues.?Or they make the best of any situation.?

For example…

???????????????After 22 years of loyal service to her company, Alisia Gonzales lost her job following a health issue. Her employer appeared unappreciative and insensitive to both her 22 years of contribution, and her illness. She was upset, fearful, humiliated, and beside herself.?Stress and overwhelm were beginning to set in, but Alisia was mindfully aware of this.

???????????????Upon realizing she was entering the Danger Zone emotionally, Alisia made the decision to ‘change her attitude.’??She picked up a copy of Peter S. Herzog’s, ?How To Prolong Your Job Search: A Humorous Guide to the Pitfalls of Resume Writing, a way for her to begin thinking about her upcoming job campaign in a humorous way.??

Alisia laughed continuously as she read about resume mishaps – resumes she will be competing against.?She immediately felt better knowing she was in control of her emotions, and would create a kick-ass resume that would stand out and get noticed.?Though she was still unemployed, Alisia was able to better manage her emotions and approach her job campaign in a more productive and enjoyable way. Humor kept her in balance; kept her in the game; a game she rapidly succeeded in!

This is a good time to touch upon what we all know to be true, but often have trouble coming to terms with, emotionally. We know we are going to die.?Some have argued that the two greatest pains people experience, is the loss of a loved one and the loss of a job.?Yet, many people have difficulty integrating humor into the subject of death; not unlike the subject of unemployment. Humor can provide relief for anxieties surrounding our own mortality, and can help us cope with the death of others, as well. Humor can be a bridge that unites those people facing death with their family members and friends who are doing their best to manage their own pain and sadness. Humor reinforces the fact that, “I am not dead yet, you are not dead yet, so we can share and enjoy the moments we still have together.”

???????????????Aunt Sophie was a hospice patient. She was very near death and refused to eat. She told her family she was ready to die. The following day, Aunt Sophie again announced her intention to die and again refused food. Yet another day passed without her demise, and again no food. This went on for several days.?

???????????????Five days later, Aunt Sophie arose from her bed and joined the rest of the family at the breakfast table. Family members were pleasantly surprised and asked her what brought her down to breakfast, after refusing to eat for so many days.

The elderly woman turned to her family and with a frail smile answered… “So, who wants to die on an empty stomach?”

?If humor works in life and death situations – it works in landing a job

In 1964, well-renowned physician, Norman Cousins, was diagnosed with a crippling and extremely painful inflammation of his body known as ankylosing spondylitis, a progressive degenerative disease. Dr. Cousins had a strong will to live and knew if he focused on humor, he could generate positive emotions. He experimented with laughter to create a positive factor in altering his body chemistry to be in a healing mode.?He watched Candid Camera classics, Marx Brothers films, and read books like Sub-Treasury of American Humor and The Enjoyment of Laughter.?

He later wrote, “I made the joyous discovery that 10 minutes of genuine belly laughter had an anesthetic effect and would give me at least two hours of pain-free sleep.”?Dr. Cousins recovered from this condition and spent the next 20 years teaching about the merits of laughter and humor in medicine and throughout the medical community.?He spent over 10 years performing clinical research at UCLA Medical School and established the Humor Task Force.?Bottom line: The results of scientific studies on the effects of laughter have led most experts to agree that laughter is remarkably therapeutic. ?And this would include mindful laughter integration while planning and conducting a job campaign.

Summary

Planning and conducting a rapid employment job campaign is serious business.?But serious business does not mean void of laughter or humor.?To better integrate laughter into our coaching repertoire, perhaps we can begin by encouraging job seekers to ask… ??

·????????What’s funny about this?

·????????What could be funny about this?

·????????Do I choose humor as an ally to land my next job, or allow stress and fear to sabotage my efforts?

·????????Am I watching programs and reading materials that make me laugh, or distress me?

·????????Am I hanging out with people who love to laugh and who are lighthearted and amusing?

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Yes, laughter is the best medicine.?But only when we remember that it’s available to us at any time.?And only when we make the decision to take it.

(Article first appeared in PARWCC's Spotlight, 4/23: www.parwcc.com)