By the time I was old enough to be aware of Phyllis Diller, she was already a well-established comedian, something of an institution–“the female comedian.”
Fortunately, people hardly make that distinction these days with so many fabulously funny and successful women performers. Reading the obit in the Times this morning revealed her interesting history of becoming known.
She lacked the confidence to do it until she read a self-help book, “The Magic of Believing” by Claude M. Bristol. Inspired by its message of empowerment, she began to write her own comedy routines, hired a drama coach to give her more stage presence, and took whatever paid or unpaid performing jobs she could get: at hospitals, women’s clubs, church halls.
So there’s the formula:
1) Put yourself in a position to get inspired by reading or listening to the messages of others who have walked the path ahead of you.
2) Do the work. Write, paint, dance, design, create what’s in your heart to get out to the world.
3) Hire a professional to assist you. Invest in yourself to hone your skills through coaching or educational venues. Take it to the next level by giving some of your re$ource$ to gain someone else’s.
4) Get out there and give it away until they start asking your fee.
You may never have thought of Phyllis Diller as your role model, but imitating a successful formula makes sense.
Jane, I was also impressed by the book she read that inspired her to believe in herself. I was going to check ou that book and see if it’s still relevant today.
Phyllis Diller didn’t inspire me in her life. I thought she was weird and not my brand of funny. But her obituary inspired me to believe even more in my talents. She also was a great example of branding yourself. No one else looks like her kooky self! And she was actually quite attractive with a great figure that she hid under bag-like dresses.
Thanks for being my inspiration, Jane, as a woman who works hard at what she does, never resting on your laurels, learning hard things (like Twitter), and finding success where others have failed.
xoxox
you know the other fascinating fact about Phyllis Diller? She was 37 years old and a mother of 6 before she started her stand up comedy career. Talk about re-inventing oneself!! It’s never too late….
@Sandy
I wasn’t inspired by her either, but found her story more interesting than her performances. Yes, not only is the book still available, note its ranking on amazon! Could be the result of her obit in the Times, or that everyone needs this kind of motivation.
@Suzen
Why does 37 sound so young to me?!
Even though women still face unnecessary challenges in professional life, we can barely imagine those faced by Phyllis Diller and her generation. It makes their accomplishment all the more impressive.
Thank your for reminding us of this and for connecting the dots to here success formula, which is ageless.
@Elizabeth
Thanks for that perspective!