You have to understand how bad I wanted to be a comedian, how much I loved doing it. I still can't believe I get to do this for a living and have people come up and want to see me.
You have to show up at 7 in the morning and be on like it's 9 at night. It's a skill. Some comics run from it, and they hate doing it, but the comics that are pros understand how important it is, and they get good at it.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Success requires consistent effort and the ability to perform at your best, regardless of the time or circumstances.
In this quote, Bill Burr emphasizes the necessity for comedians, and by extension, for anyone striving for success, to be fully present and engaged in their work. He highlights that professionalism involves not only the talent or creativity one possesses but also the willingness to put in the effort even when the circumstances are challenging. The ability to perform at a high level, effectively acknowledging that it's a skill that separates the greats from those who struggle, is pivotal in achieving success.
Themes
In practice
Example use cases
During a motivational speech at a comedy workshop.
More from Bill Burr
All quotes →I've battled with that type of stuff, but what I've found is that by doing stand-up, I've actually learned about depression and how to combat it. I don't have clinical, but I've definitely had my bouts with it.
I was in NYC during 9/11; it happened on a Tuesday, I was on stage Thursday. It was a small crowd, but it took about 10 days and comedy clubs were packed.
When I'm up there, I'm just thinking that I've got to make them laugh or they won't show up next time.
You start in bars and then restaurants, then you want to get into comedy clubs where you feature, then you headline, and once you sell out clubs you're into theaters. I've been able to get there, and it's cool to do that.
I used to think you had to live this miserable life and that that would make you funnier, but you don't. The misery will come. The misery will find you.
Similar quotes
I just wish people would realize that anything's possible if you try; dreams are made possible if you try.
There will be days when I walk in an arena and people will cheer and then there might be days when I walk in an arena and people might boo, but it all sounds the same to me because it's all just noise that lets me know that I'm relevant.
I don't know why I run so fast. I just run.
When ambitious desires arise in thy heart, recall the days of extremity thou has passed through.
I made a conscious decision not to tell anyone in my life. Now I tell people - don't tell anyone your idea until you have invested enough of yourself in it that you are not going to turn back. When a person has an idea at that conception moment it is the most vulnerable - one negative comment could knock you off course.
Discipline starts every day when the first alarm clock goes off in the morning. I say 'first alarm clock' because I have three, as I was taught by one of the most feared and respected instructors in SEAL training: one electric, one battery powered, one windup.