A Guide To Momentum
What Readers Found in Comedy Mindhacks (Vol. 1)
Authors are often the least objective readers of their own books. By the time a book is published, we’ve spent so long drafting, cutting, reorganizing, and second-guessing it that we can barely see the finished thing anymore. Sometimes it takes another reader to show us the value of what we actually created. That’s why I was genuinely honored when Montreat College recently published a feature on my new book, Comedy Mindhacks: 100 Mental Shifts to Help Comedians & Creatives Succeed.
A few lines in this review especially caught my attention because they capture what I hoped the book would become. For example, they described it as “a guide to growth, creativity, and momentum.” That’s exactly how I see it. While the book grew out of my journey in stand-up comedy, I’ve never thought of it as a book that’s only about comedy. It’s really about learning how to keep moving forward whenever you’re trying to do something difficult.
Another line I appreciated was this: “Failure can become data.” If you’ve followed my writing for any length of time, you’ve probably noticed that idea showing up again and again. Bombing on stage, receiving criticism, wrestling with self-doubt, or watching an idea fail aren’t pleasant experiences, but they don’t have to become permanent verdicts. They can become information that helps us grow.
You never know what’s going to show up in any review, so I also smiled when they included one of my favorite descriptions of stand-up comedy: “semi-controlled trauma on purpose.” It’s funny because it’s true. Walking onto a stage with nothing but a microphone and hoping strangers laugh at your thoughts can feel terrifying. Yet, comedy has taught me that some of our hardest moments eventually become our strongest material. As I often remind myself from my comedy motto, “If it’s messed up, it’s material.”
Reading Montreat’s feature reminded me that books eventually stop belonging only to their authors. Readers bring their own experiences, notice patterns, and sometimes describe the work in really helpful ways. I wrote Comedy Mindhacks to explore the invisible thinking behind better comedy, so seeing someone else call it a guide to growth, creativity, and momentum felt great. Sometimes another reader doesn’t merely review the book; they hand the author a mirror. That’s deifnitely what happened here. If you’re curious about the story behind the book or simply want to see how someone else summarizes the project, I think Montreat did a wonderful job. You can read the full feature HERE and pick up the book HERE.
This entire book is built around helping comedians identify the mental obstacles, hurdle over them, and boost their momentum. If this article resonated with you, you’ll find a lot more like it inside the book. You can check out sample pages HERE. If you’re not yet a subscriber, use code MH10LIVE at checkout HERE for 10% off. Free subscribers automatically receive 15% off, and paid subscribers receive 35% off because I’m a big believer in rewarding people who invest in themselves. 👉 Click HERE to grab the book.
And if you’re ready to double down in a BIGGER way, consider joining my Comedy Vault. It’s my private collection of premium resources, trainings, workshops, and tools designed to help comedians continue growing long after the initial excitement fades. The first bet gets you into the game. Doubling down is what changes who you become.👉 Click HERE to unlock the Comedy Vault.
