Pursue Your Passion Despite Rejections
Author: Anthony S., Performer
(Arizona, US)
I have lived and worked for the past 30 years in the Asia Pacific region. Singapore, Thailand, and Hong Kong. In 2009, in Hong Kong, I started doing stand-up comedy. Even though, by day, I was a banker. I did it to prove to myself and my peers that for any business initiative, great communication skills AND confidence are keys to success.
I started doing open mics. The first time I went on stage, I was SCARED TO DEATH. I had notes, and I was shaking. I told my jokes. No one laughed.
I could’ve quit right there, telling myself that this was not meant to be. I kept at it.
My friends and family (yes, family) were telling me that I was too crazy and I just didn't have what it took! I kept at it.
The more rejections I received, the more motivation I gave myself to prove they were wrong. The stronger my fear of no laughter grew, the stronger my determination increased to win them over one day. For the longest time, the rejections and fears were my only friends that got me through the nights. I kept going because I knew that I was way ahead of most businesspeople just by being on stage.
Then, after a couple of years, it became easier and easier. After 2 years and countless times on stage with little laughter, forgetting my jokes, losing my place in the middle of a joke, and using notes, I was on a stage, 100's of eyes on me, with only a microphone making people laugh! And feeling on top of the world! Unlike in business, I was speaking with no notes, no PowerPoint, and no whiteboard: JUST ME. My ability to speak extemporaneously skyrocketed! I was able to handle hecklers, handle disruption, handle large and small audiences and never, ever feel nervous or scared that I would forget my jokes or lose my place. The point is it wasn’t natural! It took me almost 2 years to feel comfortable on stage without notes and really connect with the audience! I think in life, no matter what you are doing, if you want to be great, you need to be fearful, practice, and make lots of mistakes!
I learned from the best and watched the best. I got on stage as much as I could and became the best. I went on Comedy Central in Asia and was in a movie filmed in Hong Kong.
You might think the story ended here. It was just the beginning.
When I returned to the USA (Dec 2019), I was back to square one. Despite what I achieved in Asia, it meant nothing in the USA. I had to start again, But this time? It was so easy. Why? All my experiences in becoming a standup comedian already put the invisible cloak on me to have no fear of failure or rejection. Today Sep 14, 2022 (when I wrote this post to share with Jia), I am running my own shows in Arizona and regularly perform in the USA. I was rejected many times when I was looking for a venue in Phoenix. I KEPT GOING. I didn't have fear; I had passion.
How might my story be related to you in pursuing your dreams?
Have a higher purpose.
Never settle. Always think about what you can be.
Even if you get rejected, your time and effort bring you closer to your goal.
Know that failure and rejection are part of the process.
Even the greats started where I did. They just persevered.
So can I.
Let your passion be your weapon.
My passion for succeeding and being on stage made up for all the rejections. I visualized myself as successful and on stage. That worked for me to keep going.
Work hard.
Your dream can’t just be a dream that stays in your head. Nothing will happen if you don’t work hard for it.
Before I got into performing, I studied the best, read about the best, and learned from the best. I modeled myself after them. After much trial and error, I finally found my voice.
No matter what you are in your journey to realizing your dream, make rejections and fears your friends. They don’t break you; they make you stronger.