11.26.08
First Impressions and Second Chances
I should have called weeks ago. A lunch/coffee meeting with someone who wanted to meet and talk about comedy, comics, and other program ideas. I did plan on calling. Several times, I had told myself, “By next week I will have time to call.”
Then yesterday I did call his workplace to return his call about our meeting. The secretary hesitated, then told me, ”He isn’t here. He was killed in a car crash a week ago.”
Yes, I know, great comedy, huh, folks? Isn’t this supposed to be a humor site? The shock of that news, coupled with the realization about first impressions hit me hard. Because that person was someone who made an interesting and memorable first impression. Not only because he had recently played a character onstage that was similar to the Steve Martin/Dan Akroyd “Wild And Crazy Guys” Czech brothers.
But because at the cast party he was so appreciative of the new friends he’d made in the play. He made everyone in the room happy about their contribution to his life. I had known him less than a month, and now don’t have the chance to learn more.
Our world is operating at what at times seems the speed of light. We have to catch up, keep up, stay on track, and advance faster and faster. We expect everything NOW. Fast service, quick technology, and even quicker results.
The problem is that our expectations of people are also instantaneous. Most people don’t have time–or energy–to think, “He probably had a bad day. I won’t take his comments personally.”
Instead, they’ll make an instant evaluation of how we appear to them, how we treat them. If we can make humor a lifestyle, it will be automatic. Seamless. Instantaneous. We will make that first impression that can lead to people wanting to learn more about us.
Thank you, Jack, for that message and lesson you gave us. You were someone who helped all of us to, “Get Your SHINE Together!”
