ON MY WAY TO THE SHOW

Its 8:30 in the morning and I am about 40,000 feet above the Carolinas as far as I can figure. Welcome to my office, my neighborhood and my mode of transportation all rolled up into one. People tell me all the time, “WOW, Vic you lead some life flying here and there seeing the country telling jokes to hundreds of people. You must have a blast doing it.” I am not going to lie, sometimes I do just sit back and think to myself, “This is pretty great.” However what a lot of people see is just the surface, just the fun side of my job. So this morning I am going to take you through my morning as I head to Zanesville, OH for a show tonight.

However this trip just didn't start this morning. It actually started yesterday when I had to pack. There’s the checking the weather so I know if I can pack shorts and flip flops which makes traveling so much easier or something a bit warmer. Then there is the show clothes that I wear, the boots, the hat then, well my signature look. If that isn't enough I have to make sure I have enough merchandise so after the show I can sell koozies, t-shirts and DVDs. I discovered I don’t have enough and not had the time to order new t-shirts (new design coming soon). But what I have I will bring to you, my fans. Now I am finished the clothes & merchandise bags, time now to move on to other chores.

My video camera needed charged so I can record my shows this weekend. I am anticipating a nice size crowd and want to submit my show to Sirius XM and 24/7 Comedy. Then I had to find my tri-pod which wasn't where it’s supposed to be but rather in my daughter’s room which I figured it was. Can’t forget about programming my GPS for all the places I need to be this weekend but I forgot one, I never can remember which exit it is to get to my Dad’s place. Age, not for the weak. Before I could even think about sleeping, I had to create an event page for a big show I am doing at the Improv in Orlando so good thing I was able to watch the rodeo on TV or otherwise the light would have seemed much longer than it was. Finally though, I was able to allow myself to relax and find sleep around 1:50am.

Yep, that’s the last time I looked at the time, well until my alarm went off at 4:30 this morning. My flight was scheduled to leave at 7:40 and I needed a shower, find my clothes and load up for the airport. Compared to all I did last night this morning was a breeze. I made it on time. Security was easier than usual so I was able to get a coffee, a banana and even peed all before I got to my gate. While there I got to watch an old cartoon with Droopy Dog, one of my favorites. Now I am on a Southwest flight in the window seat looking out the window with row 20 all to myself. But I am tired, looking forward to my hotel so maybe I can grab a quick nap before my show, probably not though. I love this life though. The places I've been, people I've met (celebrities and regular people) and stepping up on the stage makes it all worth it to me.

Next time, however, you see your favorite entertainer doing his or her thing remember there’s a lot that goes into bringing you the show and none of us would trade it for anything. We love performing and we love you, our fans.

THE BEST LAID PLANS

A quote from one of literature's greatest works, Of Mice and Men reads, “The best laid plans of mice and men often go awry” seems fitting for this week. Every day we fill our lives up with plans. It can be just plans for the day, for vacation or even for life. I have seen people come into a theme park and be angry with a work because something has occurred that has thrown off their well laid plans for the vacation. Many a high school senior is frustrated because of the counsel they are receiving from every turn about the plan they have for their life. Then there are those who have had those plans laid out by others only to be miserable until retirement.

This morning I wrote about my two-fold plan for my career. Rather I should say, my plan was made a little more clear to me. In my morning pages, I have written about being more focused, a little more determined and a little more discipline when pursuing my dreams. However, it just dawned on me this morning I have no plan about my career to be more focused, determined and disciplined about. All I've written about was, I am going to be a comedian and writer but that is way too vague. So what will I accomplish with being obscure? Nothing. It will just allow me to spin my wheels giving the appearance of accomplishment when the reality is I’m just spinning wheels. Making a lot of racket but not going anywhere, or at least not anywhere quick.

My career plan has two major tracks – Performing & Writing. Those are the two avenues I love and feel like where my talents lie. Being on stage I am at home, comfortable. Like laying on your favorite pillow or covering with your favorite throw blanket. Whether I am on stage telling jokes or delivering a speech, performing is where I belong. I feel the same about writing. It fits me like my most favorite jacket, warm and comfortable. I have had articles published in magazines and I have this blog which I hope showcases this gift I have been given. Many have told me even encouraged me to write a book about, well, about anything. I have several titles in the works but not much more than that. When I see what is out there, I always leave the bookstore or close the book I have just finished and think, “I could do that and better.” I haven’t yet, but I will because I love it. I love them both.

So I have started developing my plan for those two tracks in my life. Plans that will give me direction and focus. Plans which will serve as benchmarks I can look at to see where I am and how well I am doing. Everyone need to have plans. Success is built on those plans. When we see someone “make it” and hear them say, “I was so lucky” or we say that about them, it really isn't being lucky, it’s working your plan and when the door is opened, having the courage, the vision, to walk through it. Another quote to keep in mind, mainly because of the last part of the earlier one, “Luck isn't given but made.” Because when those plans do go awry you are not devastated, you re-group then move forward again.

Plan for your success, don’t wait on it.

LESSONS FROM THE DAYTONA 500

With the Daytona 500 on the horizon I thought I’d share with you my love affair with this sport. It doesn’t take people long when they meet me to realize I’m a huge NASCAR fan. I enjoy lots of sports, football, basketball but my number one is racing, especially NASCAR. My first race, I've been told, was when I was 2 months old and as I lay in my mother’s arms at the Columbus Motor Speedway I, apparently, was hooked. My aunt and uncle would travel every year to Daytona for the race and for hours I’d listen to their stories of watching the likes of the King, the Silver Fox, the Alabama Gang and many others of who we now consider legends. Along with the stories, there are many lessons I've learned over the years of following this fast paced sport.

Lesson one is DRIVE. The stories are things of lore now, but back in the early days of NASCAR, Hall of Fame driver, Lee Petty would drive the family car from track to track each week. Once he would arrive, some quick modifications would be made then the race was on. Following the race, he would transform the car back into the family sedan and drive home. This was the story of several of the early guys. They had a drive in them to compete, to be the best at what they did and they stopped at nothing to achieve it. Even today the drivers are driven to excel. This is a lesson to all of us who have a dream we desire to make into a reality. Dreams are achieve when there is drive.

Lesson two is SACRIFICE. This is one lesson that sneaks up on a person. When I watch a race on television all I see is the driver wheeling the car around the track until he is lucky enough to receive the accolades that come with victory. There’s the magazine covers, the cameos in music videos and even the occasional movie. What isn't seen is the practice laps, the trekking across the country and sleeping in hotels. There’s the business and team meeting that take up the first part of the week. This is just the tip of the iceberg of the behind the scenes demands that cause them to sacrifice time with family, friends and even fun many of us enjoy. When you ask any of them, a celebrity or any person who has achieved great success they will tell you it was worth the sacrifice (with the exception the time away from family – but when you watch a race you will notice the drivers have their family with them).

Lesson three is TEAMWORK. It’s the drivers who often get the praise and the glory however, each driver when interviewed is quick to point to the fact that he couldn't do it without his team. The engine builder, the jack-man, the tire guys and a whole garage full of people supporting him as he takes the checkered flag. NASCAR is a team sport, like football, baseball and many other sports. When success is showered upon one person, a closer examination will reveal they couldn't achieve it by themselves there is always a team of folk supporting them

Come Sunday when you are watching the Great American Race pay attention to the lessons you can learn and realize there is a lot more to NASCAR than just turning left.

GOOD MORNING!!

Let me tell you what I’ve got going on today. I was up at 6:30 this morning (I slept in a little) so I would be ready to take my youngest to school and get her there on time.  I remember my mom getting up so early and thinking, “Why?” The older I get the more I see the wisdom of the morning and getting the day started. The wisdom of the morning is its quiet (the kids are gone), its still, and cool. I can just sit and enjoy the stillness or put on some music. With a hot cup of coffee and marking off items from the ole “To Do List” I’m feeling accomplished and creative. My mom was right, the early mornings rock.

Then I came home to write my three morning pages. I really enjoy this morning ritual and more than I thought I would. If you don’t know what morning pages are allow me to explain. It’s kind of like writing a journal each morning, but a little different. With a journal/diary you write what’s on you mind, events, stresses and joys. Morning pages is more of a “brain connected to pen” type of writing. Although the previous stuff can be a part of it, the true purpose of it is to get the creative juices flowing. It doesn’t have to make sense or it can. The point is to write…just write then let the creativity out. Many of my blog ideas have come and will come from this. A lot of what makes it in are whatever is going on with me whether it’s a new gig or a fight with my daughter, I really look forward to it each morning. I’ve heard about this my whole life and now I kick myself for not doing it sooner. I am convinced I would be a more creative and better performer if I had.

I’ve also done a little promotion of my March 8^th show in Cross Lanes WV at the Mardi Gras Casino. This is a constant part of my mornings and not just for this show but for every show. It just so happens someone on Facebook mentioned they bought tickets to this particular show as a Valentine’s gift for her husband. A constant part of my life is booking and promoting of shows. Many think I only work about 2 hours or so on the weekend when I am standing on stage. What they don’t see is all the hours put in to get this show or any show for that matter. Emails, phone calls, and mentions on all the social networks all go into that 1 to 2 hours. Although I really like the applause, laughs and the celebrity aspect of the weekend (and I really REALLY like it), it’s the stuff during the week(s) prior I enjoy. It’s the challenge, the creativity and the feeling of accomplishment that gets me going every day. When you are doing something you genuinely love, then work isn’t a bad four-letter word but one you look forward to each morning.

Now I am writing this blog I hope everyone reads. I love writing and think I am pretty good at it. Before the invention of blogs (and my discovery of them) all I had was to write for journals hoping to get published. Now I write and self-publish, still hoping a journal picks one up or hires me to free-lance but if not, it’s ok. I do this because I love it and hope you do as well. This is my morning in a nut-shell. I hope your day begins each day as great as mine does.

Good Morning! Let’s accomplish something today and make a difference.

SUPERHERO BOXERS: Finding your strengths.

I was packing for yet another trip to make people laugh for the weekend and came across some interesting items in my suitcase that got me to thinking. As I was packing my boxers, I noticed I have a lot of superhero shorts, Justice League, Batman & Superman but it got me considering strengths. Each of the Justice League members have their own set of strengths which make them unique and valuable members, yet each can stand on their own to battle the largest of foes. The Flash has his speed, Batman his wits and Superman, well he’s the Man of Steel for goodness sakes. Then I started to consider my own strengths? What do I have to contribute? If I have any, how can I use them to my advantage?

Marcus Buckingham wrote the book, Now, Discover Your Strengths which discusses this very idea. His premise is everyone has strengths but often times spend too much time developing weakness rather than putting energy into where they are the strongest. His words resonated with me, especially when he said our weaknesses will never become our strengths. Very profound statement, especially when you consider where you place all of your energies. Too many of us place our energies into our weakness seeking to make them our strengths. All this does is lead us into frustration, discouragement and a lack of confidence in ourselves.

Consider placing that same energy into your strengths and see if that will take you farther than you have ever been. The first step is to see where your strengths are. Think about what you are good at and you will most likely notice it’s where you have found the most satisfaction. Remember however, to truly be honest with yourself about this step, for it is the foundation to finding your success. An example of this would be me wanting to sing. Anyone who knows me knows I love music, especially Country Music, but I don’t have even a thimble full talent for this. No matter how much I tried when I was younger, I am just not good. Think about what would happen if I just kept expending energy in developing my singing. Here is what would happen. I may get better but it will always be a weakness and never a strength of mine. So my only course of action is to be honest with myself and discover my strengths then focus my energies into making them stronger.

As I examine my life, I discovered my strengths lie in my abilities to talk and write. I have always been able to stand on a stage and perform be it a speech or doing comedy. I am at home there so it’s a strength of mine. I have also developed a sense of writing to which I have been published on several occasions. Does this mean I am great every time? Of course not, because I have my lazy days just like anyone else where I just “mail it in.” Knowing I have a tendency to procrastinate I have to protect my strengths from this kryptonite. In order to do this I have decided, in my personal life, I am going to focus on my strengths to make them stronger and just not worry about my areas of weakness. Everyone, especially me, will be better served.

So I encourage you to go now, discover your strengths and then reach for the stars. You can do it.

ONE MORE STEP

A crisp Florida morning has the sun rising over the palm trees and dew melting away. The smell of coffee envelopes around me as I warm my hands with the cup. Listening to the birds sing, I sit to take it all in. While the rest of the country is blanketed in snow and cold, here I sit in the coolness of my own little piece of paradise. Another day has begun full of hope, full of promise and full of activity. On today’s agenda, in addition to the regular stuff on the ole to do list. I have meat to put on the smoker and stuff to get ready for the meeting I have at the end of the week. Just another day in paradise.

As I look at this morning with all there is to do I begin thinking about this meeting I have coming up with the TV executives in Nashville. It is one more step toward my dream of success. Each step brings me one more closer to the goals I have set in my life and my career as an entertainer. One more step down the road toward a better life. One more step up on the proverbial ladder of success. Strange thing about one more step is that it’s a step. A simple step. Just a step. However, one step can make all the difference especially when it follows a whole series of them and proceeds a bunch more.

The funny thing about a step is, you have to take it. No one will take it for you or give it to you it’s something you have do for yourself. It’s your decision and it’s your step. When I was a kid, my whole life was one more step. That one more step over the hill led me to a new fishing pond. One more step took me into the woods where I found a tiny cave. One more step found me a lot more of adventures. Now with each of those steps came briers, cuts, sore feet and worn out shoes but I wouldn't trade any of those “one steps” for new and unused shoes.

Each step took effort, energy and most of all it took a desire for adventure. As a kid I knew it was just one more step until I found what I was looking for, whether it was a new place to fish, camp or that little cave. I’ve got the scratches and scars as reminders of a lot of those steps and more importantly, the victories. Every step wasn’t without its trials, its challenges and on some occasions, a little pain. But all in all each step was worth it, even if it was a lesson on where not to step next time. However, each step belonged to me and me alone. I had to be willing to take the first one and then everyone after that. They say the first step is the hardest and they are right but so is the one more step. Just when you feel like stopping, quitting, or just turning back, that one more step can be just as hard as the first one.

Just like the first one, that one more step can make all the difference. The difference between regret or adventure, disappointment or satisfaction, failure or success. If the first step is the most important, then the one more step is a close second on the importance scale. It’s that step that turns to dreams into reality.

So when you think about turning back and giving up just take one more step because it can make all the difference.

2014: The Year of Knowledge!

I’ve been thinking a lot lately. I know some of you reading this are saying to yourself, “I hope you didn’t hurt yourself.” Funny...never heard that before. But I really have been doing a lot of thinking on the subject of, “Thinking.” Well, not just that really, as much as I have been focusing on the subject of developing of the brain powers we all posses. In church, the preacher has been talking about the renewing of your mind, knowledge and all around intellectual growth. This has me thinking about how much time I put into my own personal development. Am I doing what I can to carve some time out in my day to develop myself or do I spend it all trying to promote myself? I think I am too heavy on the self-promotion side and too light on the self-development side.

I was told, by a friend whom I greatly respect, I was in the self-promotion business more so than anything else and he is right. Everything I do, all my work, joke writing and marketing is to promote myself up that entertainment ladder but once I get there will I be ready? So this is where the self-development comes in I think. I need to prepare now for what lies ahead so my decisions are clear and well thought out. When issues are presented to me in this business world will I know how to handle it or be able to sort through it?

I think when you are in a profession, i.e. comedy, you focus a lot of time developing that one area of knowledge and other areas connected to it are overlooked. I know when I started out in this business I had lots of questions about it but no one seemed to have a clear answer. I even attended a “boot camp” where I thought I would find answers but to my dismay I was still out to learn it on my own, although I was greatly energized by it, I still was at a loss. No strategy, no plan of action, no great secret, nothing was given other than, “You can do it, today!” Thanks for that but I wanted to KNOW how I could do it “today.” My only course of action was to learn it on my own and I still am. So, I am learning business, marketing, self-promotion, relaxation and lots of other skills to become a success.

As a result, from time to time, I am going to share with you what I have learned and will hopefully, develop into a book, maybe call it, “Answers to the Questions I had but no one ever told me.” What do you think? The Apostle Peter told the lame dude at the Temple, “I don’t have any silver or gold, but what I do have I give to you. Get up and start walking.” I am going to operate on the same premise as I further develop what I’ve learned so for those that come behind me they will have that head start of living out their dreams and becoming a success. You can do the same to develop your mind and give that gift to those coming behind you.

I have now declared 2014: The Year of Knowledge.

2014! Welcome to the Party!

On December 31 parties were ramping up all over the country in preparation for the New Year. Homes turned into night clubs and night clubs turned the party meter up to 11. On this night everyone gets in on the action of ringing in a new year with a party, from casinos to churches to neighborhoods to comedy clubs. The biggest block party of them all is Time Square where people come from all over the world just to welcome the New Year. Bringing in the New Year with a party goes together like bacon & eggs, biscuits & gravy, and well, like Dick Clark & New Year’s Eve. But what about the rest of the year, where’s its party?

When we leave the party, we are wearing a smile, anticipating dreams coming true and oftentimes forgetting when we wake there is a hangover waiting. It’s almost a foretelling, for too many it seems, that the hangover we are nursing is a precursor of what is to come for the year. Real life replaces the dreams and anticipation with pain, hurt, depression, just plain being sick and tired. The New Year with all its hope and promise at the celebration on December 31, even on January 1, seems to get short changed as the days roll by.

January 2^nd and following receives no party, no celebration because this is when the work really begins. The exercise, the planning and the rest of the new dreams from December 31^st now have to be put into action. It’s now when the rubber meets the road. This goes against today’s popular notion of instant success, glamorous riches and a life of ease. But ask anyone who has achieved those “dreams come true” experiences and they will tell you there was nothing easy about it.

There is something to be said about perseverance, goals, determination and hard work because each of those words are what it takes to achieve your new year’s resolutions. That’s when the real party begins, what happens on December 31^st should really be the first of many that occurs throughout the New Year.

I heard recently January 6^th tops the list of the most frustrating, angry and discouraging days of the year. The reason is that is how long it takes us to totally forget and give up on our dreams. Just 6 days is all. No wonder there are no more parties during the year, what is there to celebrate?

I have decided this year it will be different. 2014 will be the year of the party. No matter how large or small, every victory keeps me focused on my goal and strengthens my resolve to succeed, so it’s worth the year long party. With this renewed determination I have already seen small victories worthy of a party. I have already scored a meeting with a television executive, in talks with a national headliner about co-headlining some shows and various other events have validated my journey toward my dreams. As each of you win your own personal victories you can join me in making 2014 the year of the party.

So I say, “2014, Welcome to the party!”

CHRISTMAS MEMORIES

The house is filled with the aroma of sugar cookies, evergreen and pumpkin pie. There is Scotch tape on the table and wrapping paper pieces fallen to the floor. In the living room, there’s a tree with lights blinking to the beat of a song as they reflect off the ornaments that have been hung. Stockings hang from the mantel like shelf waiting to be filled with small gifts and fruit. Soon there will be carefully wrapped presents placed gingerly under the tree only to be ripped open not so carefully nor so gingerly Christmas morning. As the day continues on into night, and with full stomachs from the Christmas feast, families will shuffle off to bed, knowing they have lovingly and stressfully placed another holiday in the books. Better yet, they have created yet another Christmas memory.

Each year, with great anticipation, I looked forward to Christmas Eve and the family Christmas party. Through the years Mom and Dad made sure my brother and I received a great Christmas. Although we were far from rich and Dad was often laid off in the winter, they still managed to get us a bike or record player. One year they even got us an Atari complete with Pong and Donkey Kong. I even recall receiving Star Trek Walkie Talkies one year. I know we received several gift each year but I only remember a few. However, what I do remember are the family parties.

Each year it was held at my Aunt’s house and was always chalk full of food. It was good food to. My aunts cooked, my grandmother cooked and my mom cooked. They were all wonderful cooks and none of us ever stopped with just one plate, nor, in some cases, did we stop with two. The desserts were out of this world. Cakes, pies, fudge, and cookies spread across the table with tiny hands being smacked as they reached for them before the regular food. If you ever left hungry it was because, well, I don’t know anyone that ever did cause we were always stuffed by the end of the night.

The biggest excitement, at least for me, was when all the cousins arrived. We all have our roots right there in Boyd County, Kentucky but as often happens, people move. As was the case for a few who had moved to Michigan, Ohio and Texas but this time of year it was rare if any of the prodigals didn’t return. When everyone arrived, the laughter reached epic proportions. The older cousins would slip away to do what they did, the younger ones would play throughout the house while those of us in-between bounced back and forth. There was so much fun and happiness there as our Grandparents looked upon us smiling but knowing it wouldn’t last forever.

Sadly, in a way they were right. Mamaw and Papaw are gone as are some of my aunts, uncles, cousins and my Mom. It’s not the same now but it isn’t gone forever. I still remember those times. I remember the drawing of names and the family gift exchanges. Most of all I remember the love and laughter filling my Aunt’s home. So, I guess, in a way, it will last forever because I still have my Christmas Memories. This year make some of your own.

Merry Christmas.

NO RISK...NO REWARD - Good is the enemy of Great.

November 11, 1939 the Texas Tech Red Riders come to Shreveport, LA to face the Centenary Gents in a rain soaked stadium resulting in one of the weirdest games in the history of college football. In the course of this game there were 77 punts, 67 of which occurred on the first down. During the second half, the teams punted 22 times in a row. However, there was one record set during this game that perhaps will never be broken. Texas Tech punter, Charlie Callihan, punted 36 times for 1,318 yards. Texas ran only 12 offensive plays that day resulting in a whopping -1 yard total. When all was said and done the final score was 0-0.

The teams decided they would play no risk football and it resulted in mediocrity. Maybe mediocrity is being kind since neither team did anything to gain success. They settled for just filling up the time clock which resulted in not making the most of the opportunity provided. They decided mediocrity was good enough. Worse than that, they perhaps never saw it as a failure to only hold the status quo.

In his book, Good To Great, author, Jim Collins, tackles this very subject when he opens with the words, “Good is the enemy of great.” In the course of this book he gives example after example of businesses settling for good enough ultimately resulting in failure. In contrast, he introduces his readers to organizations/businesses refusing to settle for mediocrity. He displays the results of their decision to be great and not simply good enough...to not stay within the safe status quo.

This is a struggle encountered by every person in most every endeavor. I was given a personal example of this the other day when I created a poster for a show. I was quite proud of my creation until I showed it to my daughter, who I must admit is far more creative than I. When I asked her opinion of my work her response was, “Eh, it’s good enough I suppose.” Good enough? I don’t want good enough, I want great! When she took what I had done into her capable hands it transformed into just that. I was amazed at what it had become. If I had settled then it would have simply been good but I didn’t and neither did my daughter so it went from good to great - took the risk and gained a reward.

Businesses, or anyone really, who become great this is their motto. They understood to gain the rewards desired they must be willing to take the risks needed to achieve it. The same is true for an entertainer. Legends are the ones who refuse to settle for ‘good enough’ they continually strive for greatness.  Too many times when we settle it isn’t too long until what we once thought was “good enough” simply becomes “not good at all.” We deem the reward of great simply isn’t worth the risk, resulting in a score of 0-0.

No Risk….No Reward! Do not settle for good enough because when you look at it, there is nothing in it.