Fresh off the back of my comedy course experience the other week, last week I spent the evenings enthusiastically looking for gigs.
Okay, I am a newbie and not in central London, but how hard can it be. Time to get a little practice and build some experience before throwing myself to the wolves at an industry event, I thought.
It was at first a little disappointing. Outside of London the circuit is a little different, smaller gigs, open mics for new material or new performers seemed pretty thin on the ground. Most of the gigs I could find were more established acts, those that were more bankable for smaller venues it seemed.
For a few days, it felt as though geography might be a limiting factor, thwarting this shot at stardom, the bright lights and comradery of the stage, and opportunity to experience more of the motorway service station network.
I grumpily persevered however, and something changed. Following a few leads via Facebook, slowly, organically, I started to notice more and more comedy nights in my local area, often in the small venues in the pub, or community spaces. I went for a coffee at a local cafe and noticed they also had one too. They were everywhere.
Far from being dead, there is in fact, a quiet, but thriving, comedy circuit operating most nights of the week. I was just never aware of it. It seems I just had to tune myself to the right frequency to find it.
Now this reminded me of the red car effect (or more accurately the frequency illusion or Baader–Meinhof phenomenon).
This is the effect where once you buy a new (red) car. Being pleased with your choice, the choice of a sophisticated and discerning customer of course, you head out onto the road…. only to then start to notice all the other (red) cars on the street… “everyone is buying red cars now, I can’t believe it”.
Of course nothing has changed in the world itself, we are just more aware of it. It is a mix of selective attention and confirmation bias.
In my case comedy hadn’t suddenly become popular across the country in a single week I just tuned to the right frequency and started noticing it.
Back at the day job, in the office, this got me thinking this week, this is a similar effect here.
- Once you become aware of a problem, you start seeing it everywhere.
- Once you notice an opportunity, similar opportunities start to surface.
So, by choosing what I pay attention too… I can potentially find more of it!
It is not just there this this psycological bias, but by knowing about it and what the effect is, we can potentially use this, direct this, for our own benefit. There is something powerful here.
Obviously this needs a bit of active work and engagement to fully tune in and activate. But, choosing is a choice… so here is the thought for the week.
What should I/you/we choose to find more of this week?
Problem’s, no… opportunities, yes… a comedy gig, hopefully… biscuits, definitely.
Have a good week everyone.
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