(Look Ma, I'm a permanent part of the Lakeshore Lobby!)
Last night, I did a great show. Really performed at near my best, and I do believe the six hundred people in attendance enjoyed the show quite a bit. Did I type six hundred? Sorry about that. I meant six. Yes, six.
I'm in Chicago performing my one man show at the Lakeshore Theater, just voted the city's "best venue to see comedy". It truly is a great venue. I highly recommend you take in shows there if you're in the area.
Anyway, in five years I've been doing my show, and more than 150 performance, six people is the least amount of people I've ever had in my audience. The night before's audience size of 11 held the previous record.
But it is what it is. And I truly had a good time performing last night. I felt I nailed quite a few scenes even without the all-helpful return of energy from the audience. The venue kindly offered me the opportunity to cancel the show five minutes before showtime, but I said no way to that. I had my head on straight (see my previous blog entry) and I fully intended to rock it for those three couples (and the usher. I almost forgot the usher. That makes 7).
I have one more show tonight. Audience size doesn't bode well. And today it's raining. And I just got the news that my dear, great friend David, who ALWAYS joins me in Chicago, can't make it due to illness. So this little trip to Chicago has just not really been gang-busters.
But you gotta keep things like this in proper perspective. A lot of people are suffering in Peru right now from the earthquake. My heart goes out to all those that lost loved ones and homes. A man here in Chicago is suffering today from the recent death of his wife and children. In the bigger picture, it's okay that people in Chicago haven't caught onto my show yet.
Honestly, I don't write about my disappointment over audience size to cry about it - I write about it to relate. Through my writing and speaking I'm always just trying to leave a trail of crumbs for other's on the path to their passions. And the reality is setbacks and obstacles do come up, no matter who you are or how far you've come.
I keep thinking of Conan O'Brian. I loved his show when it FIRST came out. I watched it almost everynight the very first few months he came on air. I thought it quite brilliant. So you can imagine my surprise when I later learned that those very same months when I was tuning into everynight, he and his crew were spending their days outside of the NBC building trying to beg people into the studio because they're were having so much trouble filling the seats of their studio audience. Can you imagine? You've got a nationally televised TV show - it's a damn good show - and you can't fill the 50 or so seats of your audience?! See what I mean - no one is immune. Sometimes, taking your lumps is what the path of passion requires.
I am officially Grinning and Bearing It for now because I know that there will come a day when I'm selling out this venue (or larger) here in Chicago, and I'll have a laugh about the weekend where I played for six people.
The other thing I do to keep myself looking up and ahead through disappointments is I focus myself on other things. Today, I felt I had many options that could keep me feeling passionate and gratified. I could rewrite the first chapter of the book I've been working on for years (today could be the day I get it right!). I could create a new story for my website. I could outline a new one person show. It's endless pretty much, just as long as you're focusing on things you love and creating. Creation is so powerfully inspirational. And then there's music. I've always got music. When my show or speaking isn't working, I pick up my guitar and get excited about the possibility of getting better on it. Someday I'm going to do something cool that incorporates that guitar, mark my words.
Experience has made me fortunate. I've got enough to know not to take something like this weekend's attendance personally or as some sign from the universe that I should pack it in. It still disappoints me, but it doesn't discourage me. I hope it's the same for you - that your setbacks may disappoint you, but they don't discourage you.
You know, when I do start to take a setback personally, I often think of Ray Davies. Ray is the lead singer and songwriter of the legendary band, The Kinks. The Kinks have more than 40 albums. Ray is in the Rock n Roll Hall of Fame. He's penned several number one songs, not to mention a catalog of classics such as "Lola" and "Girl You Really Got Me." And yet... And yet... One day he penned a great autobiography and he came to San Francisco to do a book signing. A bookstore appearance by the one and only Raymond Douglas Davies!! And you know how many people were there, in a city as large and musically oriented as SF? No more than 40! I've never forgotten that. His turnout that day, doesn't take away from his impact in anyway. Millions of people, including myself, love Ray's contribution to the world. The turnout just wasn't what you'd expect. And that's what's helpful for us all to remember. Sometimes our results just aren't what we'd expect, but they're not necessarily a comment on our contribution. For instance, as an author I can report this: My book, Major in Success, has been purchased by 120,000 people (I grew up in a city with a population of 20,000. The average book sells 2,500 copies.) Readership research tells us that that means it's likely that more than 250,000 people have read it. Yet, I've received no more than 100 emails or letters from readers. Again, sometimes our results just aren't a comment on our contribution.
Chris Ferretti, a subscriber to my newsletter just told me this whopper of a story: "Elvis Presley, had to do a comeback special in 1968 because nobody was buying his music and nobody was going to his movies. Sounds crazy but it's true. His movies were beginning to flop. And his record sales were really beginning to slump. They did an experiment and had Elvis stand outside - right in plain sight on the Hollywood Blvd sidewalk. He stood there for 10 minutes straight. Normally, he'd have been mobbed within the first 10 seconds, but in those 10 minutes - right in the middle of Hollywood - not one person walked up to him or in any way acknowledged that they even recognized him. And we're talking about ELVIS PRESLEY!!!"
Bottom line, you're a good person with a good purpose. You've got a true and good gift to give the world. And the way to get the job done is to just keep plugging away with good intention and great effort. Sometimes you're going to be celebrated, lifted up on people's shoulders, paraded through town and given the keys to the city. But sometimes you're not going to be noticed much at all. No worries. Just keep on. The universe will do the rest and it will all work out well. Just don't take yourself out of the game early because of a disappointing down (football metaphor). The worst thing you can do is take yourself out the game early because you took a setback too personal, or perceived an obstacle as too permanent. Stay in the game. Keep your chin up. And keep on. This is the path of passion. And this is the path of true courage.
That's what I think.
Sharing Success,
Patrick
06/27/2010 - I bought a second home on FaceBook
05/06/2009 - Dream ON!
02/27/2009 - Journey Well
02/25/2009 - Do you have something to say?
02/11/2009 - Rich rich rich
11/23/2008 - Free to move about the cabin
10/21/2008 - So True
08/08/2008 - Beauty and the Beast
07/26/2008 - Co-Creating
07/07/2008 - Damn the Torpedos
07/04/2008 - Your Independence Play
06/16/2008 - Bursting
05/16/2008 - There's a Story Behind That Photo
05/15/2008 - I Agree with Forrest
05/07/2008 - 22 Secrets to Success
05/06/2008 - Quit JAMMIN Me!!
05/03/2008 - The 4 C's that REALLY matter
05/01/2008 - I drove through a rainbow
04/30/2008 - I won $100,000!
04/25/2008 - Bells Palsy at 2 months
04/13/2008 - A lot can change in a week!
03/22/2008 - One Month Mark
03/16/2008 - Separated at Birth?
03/16/2008 - It ain't Memorex
03/15/2008 - Back in Black
03/14/2008 - Looking Up!
03/12/2008 - Mad Eye Mooney
03/03/2008 - Bells Palsy Smile
03/02/2008 - Which is it?
03/01/2008 - "Right" On!
03/01/2008 - "Teching"
02/28/2008 - I come before you...
02/28/2008 - My Left Face
02/26/2008 - Saving Face
02/24/2008 - Call 911!
02/23/2008 - What would I say?
02/22/2008 - I was wrong
02/06/2008 - Could it actually be?
01/23/2008 - Sunflowers know
01/22/2008 - If you were to die today....
01/16/2008 - The Prayer of St. Francis
01/15/2008 - The Bolts
01/11/2008 - Alyssa, my daughter
01/03/2008 - Gonna get back to basics
10/31/2007 - The last night in my house
10/17/2007 - Hammered
10/07/2007 - In Kansas?!
09/21/2007 - Pop!
09/15/2007 - University of Dreamers
09/12/2007 - Sept 11, 2007
09/10/2007 - I could see the stars
08/27/2007 - Adversity University
08/27/2007 - Across the Universe
08/25/2007 - Chili Nights in Chicago
08/19/2007 - Patrick's, "Believe it or Not?!"
08/18/2007 - Keep on.
08/17/2007 - Good day Sunshine
08/17/2007 - Sometimes you win, and
08/16/2007 - Greetings from Chicago
07/16/2007 - Dr. Love
07/10/2007 - Duende
07/02/2007 - Final Stretch
06/28/2007 - Morning!
05/24/2007 - Extraordinary Days
05/10/2007 - The Work
04/29/2007 - It's a beautiful day
04/27/2007 - Life moves pretty fast
04/21/2007 - Across the Universe
04/06/2007 - A wonderful day
04/04/2007 - 9 DVD's to change the world
03/24/2007 - Mixed Emotions
03/20/2007 - Ramblings
03/10/2007 - Full flow!
03/02/2007 - Amindzing
02/28/2007 - The Awakened Mind
02/16/2007 - Best yet...
02/14/2007 - Off-the-Charts!
02/14/2007 - Here comes the Sun!
02/14/2007 - Un-be-lieve-a-ble!
02/14/2007 - Uh-oh...
02/09/2007 - Fixed it
02/07/2007 - Wait a minute!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
02/07/2007 - Day 7, Ah hah!
02/07/2007 - My head hurts
02/06/2007 - Tech-tonic
02/04/2007 - Brain Drain
02/02/2007 - New Month, New Challenge
02/02/2007 - Challenge #1 is a Wrap!
01/31/2007 - Last day of "Rawkin in the Free World" ?
01/28/2007 - I'm so confused...
01/25/2007 - Day 24 - feeling groovy
01/18/2007 - Hmmm.... interesting.
01/16/2007 - I want a CHIP!!!!!!!!!!!!!
01/14/2007 - Stranded in an airport with no food...
01/13/2007 - Day 12 of only "raw"
01/06/2007 - Day 6
01/05/2007 - Argh...
01/02/2007 - It HAS begun.
12/22/2006 - Line up everyone!!!!
12/19/2006 - (Red)
12/14/2006 - Coming Soon
11/10/2006 - May I ramble?
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10/10/2006 - Working Hard
09/30/2006 - What I've Learned
09/18/2006 - Big big breaks
09/18/2006 - Okay, I really got it
09/14/2006 - Waiting for my ship to come in..
09/14/2006 - Okay, I got it
09/12/2006 - Pardon me
09/10/2006 - Big dreams create big feelings
09/02/2006 - Ahhh....
08/27/2006 - Time flies
07/20/2006 - My Live from Montreal Podcast is on I-Tunes
07/20/2006 - What do you get criticized about?
07/19/2006 - Tough Night at JFL
07/18/2006 - Gabcasting II from Just for Laughs
07/14/2006 - Day 2 - JFL
07/13/2006 - Just For Laughs
06/27/2006 - Yeah Warren Buffet!
06/13/2006 - Wisdom from my 6 yr old
06/09/2006 - What is an Abundant mindset?
06/07/2006 - A good day to learn
06/06/2006 - Believe in the Magic of Intention
05/25/2006 - Thank God for music
05/16/2006 - I'm likely to fail...
05/13/2006 - This can now be a "Live Bookmark" for you
05/11/2006 - Gratitude
04/20/2006 - Completion feels so good!!
04/04/2006 - Alright, let's bring it home.
03/19/2006 - Big Things!
03/01/2006 - Duende
02/19/2006 - The buck stops here.
02/15/2006 - Sublime
02/15/2006 - It's a 4 Letter Word
02/11/2006 - Ouch
02/06/2006 - Make or Break
01/19/2006 - Live what you love
01/14/2006 - And go cat go!
01/12/2006 - My '06 touring begins
01/02/2006 - New Beginnings.
11/14/2005 - Redesign
10/17/2005 - Change Happens!
10/13/2005 - Chillin
09/20/2005 - The Waiting Is the Hardest Part
09/08/2005 - Paaarrrty!
08/14/2005 - Failure to reach my goal
08/11/2005 - This is a good feeling.
07/30/2005 - The third story
07/24/2005 - Dreams are everything they're cracked up to be
07/23/2005 - The 2nd Story
07/21/2005 - Back in the Saddle!
07/21/2005 - The first of 3 stories
07/20/2005 - A girl I met in NYC
07/14/2005 - As it Went
07/12/2005 - Opening Off-Broadway in a Few Hours
07/03/2005 - Hats off to Bob Geldoff
06/22/2005 - Opposition
06/20/2005 - Brave for an Hour
06/17/2005 - Commit & Renounce
06/15/2005 - Mistakes in Montreal
06/14/2005 - Will it Work?
06/12/2005 - 100%
06/11/2005 - Tension & Resolve
06/10/2005 - Love Every Moment
06/08/2005 - Commitment
06/04/2005 - Worth It!
06/01/2005 - Kool Beanz
05/24/2005 - Thanks Eric
05/21/2005 - Today is where your book begins
05/20/2005 - Again? Again?? Again???
05/19/2005 - Only what you make them
05/18/2005 - Great Jon
05/14/2005 - 2 Steps Up!
05/13/2005 - 1 step back
05/11/2005 - 2nd show in Auckland
05/10/2005 - Now that's impressive!
05/09/2005 - Opening Night in NZ
04/29/2005 - Pretty much speechless
04/24/2005 - Coming Soon
04/14/2005 - Interesting. Very interesting....
03/23/2005 - Within or without
03/17/2005 - Watering Instructions
03/15/2005 - What's In a Year?
03/14/2005 - The Rewards
03/11/2005 - Risking
03/10/2005 - What's Your Processional Effect?
03/05/2005 - Woulda-Coulda-Shoulda
03/05/2005 - Whoa!
03/02/2005 - Not "how?"
03/01/2005 - Greetings from Will Rogers country
02/24/2005 - So much to say, so little time
02/23/2005 - Gifts
02/14/2005 - Wooo Whoooooo!
02/10/2005 - Let it go, Let it flow!
02/02/2005 - Whoa!
01/27/2005 - Again?
01/25/2005 - Board Break Part 2
01/14/2005 - Training the Mind
01/12/2005 - The Power of Intention
01/11/2005 - Intention
01/10/2005 - TV Sucks
01/09/2005 - Crushing Loss
01/08/2005 - For me, astonishing
01/06/2005 - Fear Clear
01/05/2005 - Dealing with disappointment
01/03/2005 - Welcome to a New Year
12/28/2004 - Tsunami Relief
08/31/2004 - Dream ON!