Tip #1

Use it or lose it. When someone asks if they really can improve their sense of humor I am always supportive. I tell them, "My God, I sure hope so!" If they don't smile I figure they've got some work to do. But absolutely, anyone can strengthen the funny bone and improve their humor skills simply by making humor a priority, the way comedians do. The more we use our sense of humor the stronger it gets. And like a muscle, the sense of humor atrophies without use.

Become a master of self-deprecating humor. Self-deprecating humor is the safest, easiest and most effective way to make others laugh. Especially at work or whenever in doubt, self-deprecating humor is your best bet. Most professional comedians and many great speakers use this technique with great success.

The idea of self-deprecating humor is not just to put yourself down. Disparaging or discrediting yourself is neither funny nor self-empowering. The humor part is very important. It's got to be funny. Used correctly, self-deprecating humor makes you stronger, more respected and more likeable. (Oh sure, It does backfire occasionally... like my photos at the top of this page!)

With self-deprecation we target ourselves so we offend no one! It works because everyone loves to laugh at someone else. (Especially at US!) And it's easy because we all have plenty of things to make fun of. If you can't think of a single thing about yourself to laugh at you can joke about your lack of humility! Hey, if you can't think of anything self-faults... Check with your in-laws. They'll have a list for you!

Tip #3

Never insult your in-laws. It will only come back to bite you in the butt. They won't think you're likeable or funny. Besides, if you're fortunate like me, your in-laws are fantastic people! And I'm not just saying that because they all know how to shoot a rifle better than Chuck Connors.

Tip #4

Master the reverse. The very funny Rita Rudner says,
"I broke up with my boyfriend. He wanted to get married and I didn't want him to." This is a classic reverse. In a reverse the punchline (in this bit, "I didn't want him to") gives the set-up (in this bit,"I broke up with my boyfriend. He wanted to get married") a whole new meaning. We assume she's going to say, "... he wanted to get married and I didn't want to." The joke takes on the opposite meaning when she reveals HE wanted to get married and she didn't want him to.

My son keeps a hamster in his bedroom. At first the smell was terrible... but then the hamster got used to it. Here's another reverse example. Can you see how the initial direction is changed 180 degrees right at the end? you didn't anticipate the punchline... Unless you actually have a young son of your own. Then you know about the smell.

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Tip #5

Master the saver! Fear is what keeps most people from sharing their funny thoughts more often. In one of my comedy classes a women said, "I've always wanted to try stand-up comedy... But I'm afraid people might laugh at me." We told her she was off to a great start. Knowing how to use a professional trick called the saver is the fastest way to gain confidence and overcome the fear factor.

A saver is a line a comedian or other "naturally funny person" (ie: someone who has used their sense of humor a lot ) uses when they joke and nobody laughs. The standard off-stage saver, and probably the least funny one there is, is, "I guess you had to be there." And we're sometimes thinking, "I'm glad I wasn't." Notice the savers your favorite funny people use. Sometimes you can adopt one of theirs. Best of all, come up with your own saver to fit the situation.

Tip #6

Keep the true meaning of the humor concealed until the last second. Timing is so important in being funny. By concealing the true meaning, which is revealed by the punchword, we create a bigger surprise. Like Rita Rudner did in the marriage joke, until the final word we don't realize what she's actually saying. We're faked out until the end. If she had said, "I broke up with my boyfriend. I didn't want him to get married but he wanted to." Or, "He wanted to marry someone else," it wouldn not have been as funny. The punchline and meaning of it would have been given away early and the surprise and funniness would have been diminished.

Tip #7

When using humor at work be mindful of your work objective. If the humor will undermine that, if it could be detrimental to your task at hand, then it's not going to be effective humor.

Work humor is great and can have many wonderful benefits but it must be used effectively to have any benefit. Always use humor at work that will not leave negative residue. On the job you have a bigger purpose than to be funny. If you make sure your humor serves that purpose your humor will be safe, effective and funny!

Don't refrain from using humor at work, just use it wisely!

Tip #8

Create your own humorous cards for birthdays and special occasions. A funny rhyme with personalized humor will mean a lot more to most people than the typical Hallmark card. Consider giving a professional, custom written song from funnycustomsongs.com. It's an ideal one-of-a-kind, original and memorable gift. Or how about a funny book someone can enjoy reading over and over. (I know of a good one!) Better yet, buy two copies and keep one for yourself!