That's what's great about standup comedy: the instant feedback. You get up on stage, you tell a joke, if it doesn't work, come back the next day with a better version of it.
Jimmy O. YangRead
When I quit my internship and started doing standup to pursue my dreams and do that full time - I feel like that's when I 'Americaned.'
Interpretation
Pursuing your dreams can lead to personal growth and a sense of identity.
In this quote, Jimmy O. Yang reflects on a pivotal moment in his life when he chose to leave a conventional path to pursue his passion for stand-up comedy. This decision not only marked a significant career shift but also a transformation in his personal identity, which he associates with a quintessentially American pursuit of dreams and self-fulfillment.
In practice
In a graduation speech to inspire students to follow their passions.
That's what's great about standup comedy: the instant feedback. You get up on stage, you tell a joke, if it doesn't work, come back the next day with a better version of it.
The great thing about the comedy world is that everybody is somewhat of an outsider. That's the community where outsiders feel like they're insiders.
One of the hard things coming from an immigrant family - or any family that doesn't believe in the arts - is that you have to disappoint your parents. That's hard for people to do if you're a good kid.
Even when you're 50, you can make the effort to improve your standards.
True perfection is unattainable, but if you chase perfection you will catch excellence!
Once you have commitment, you need the discipline and hard work to get you there.
No army has ever done so much with so little.
If you were to take the lessons and experiences you've acquired in the past one year, five years or 10 years and skillfully invest that into your future, how powerful would that be? Where would you find yourself at the end of the next year?
May you find your Tower, Roland, and breach it, and may you climb to the top!
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