This was a great read from a woman who has had to make her own success by NOT banking or dovetailing on the success of her famous father. In her book, Jokes My Father Never Taught Me, Rain Pryor, decided to create her own style of comedy despite the problems she encountered.

For years, she struggled with rejection. No one “got” her comedy—it was a different genre than what was currently being performed. It was also different from her famous father’s brand of comedy. However, despite these setbacks, she went on to create her own unique style—her own USP (Unique Selling Position).

Two Memorable Quotes

My two favorite quotes from the book are:

“Success is the best revenge; it’s the ultimate ha-ha.”

“I can sit around and wait for someone to put me in a box. Or I can create something and say, ‘This is what I do.'”

Rain Pryor
Daughter of Richard Pryor
Comic, Actress, and Singer

A Lesson Learned From Rain

So for those of you who are struggling in your current situation, please get a copy of Rain Pryor’s book, Jokes My Father Never Taught Me.  Here is a woman, who struggled under her father’s famous name, and  because her comedy was not considered “black enough”, “Jewish enough” or “she-male enough.”  It just wasn’t enough for the reviewers.  However, it was enough for Rain.

She knew—deep down—who she was and what she was about.  It was just a matter of standing up to those who didn’t know and make them aware.

Passion In Motion

This is truly the meaning of passion.  She knew what she wanted and wasn’t afraid to go after it on her terms.  She also wasn’t ashamed to add her own authenticity to it and truly own it as hers.

My Coaching Two Cents’ Worth

Don’t Wait To Be Picked—Pick Yourself!

Too many times as adults 50+ or even younger, we wait to be selected.  Selected for a promotion.  Selected for a job.  Selected for something.  The whole “picking process” usually started when we were kids on the playground, and we were waiting to be picked for the team.  Maybe we have become so used to the process that we have just learned to wait around and hope that someone somewhere will pick us.

When you wait to be picked, you are allowing someone else to decide for you.  Not only that, but you are also settling for whatever you can get.  You are basically saying to yourself that you will just not try for anything better or for more of something you want. 

Do not let fear and insecurity make the choice for you.  You make the choice.  You step outside of your comfort zones.  Barbara Sher, author of Wishcraft, says that fear is the “gatekeeper of comfort zones.”

You will never reinvent yourself waiting to be picked.

In Conclusion

Find income streams and businesses that will drive you to be this passionate and this determined to do it your way as no one else can.  Also, own it.  It’s yours.  Now, go and serve it up as only you can.