How do I become funny?

A person might ask: how do I become funny?  After reading my previous post about the importance of humor and the benefits of being funny, it's hard not to find the prospect tempting.  But you aren't sure how to make that fantasy into a reality.  Read on to unlock the answers to that burning question.

*note*  A whoopie cushion doesn't count as having humor.  You may get some laughs from the Stupid-humored prank, but being able to make people laugh by actions doesn't automatically make you have a sense of humor.

First of all, in order to be considered funny, you can't just memorize jokes.  They sound rehearsed and oftentimes don't make you seem like a truly funny person.  For a joke to really hit home, it has to be witty, clever, and made on the spot.  How, you may ask, does one do that?

Everyone has an inner sense of humor.  Some people may have it closer to the surface, while in others it is buried deep down.  In order to tap into your natural sense of humor, you must unlock your inner sense of humor.  To do that, first develop a sense of Self-humor and realize what makes you laugh.  How can you make other people laugh if you aren't sure what you find funny?

A naturally funny person may seem to have sporadic, in the moment jokes that they make up on the spot. This is because people with a strong sense of humor are more detail-oriented.  In order to be funny, one must pick up on certain details in conversation and work from there.  The funniest jokes are those that are focused on a minor detail or phrase that a person says rather than a general topic or larger concept.  With practice, focusing in on such details transfers over into the rest of your life and becomes habit.  Humorous people train their brains to pick up on individual features or specific aspects of a conversation.  This can help them analyze the words and think of witty comments or clever remarks that give people the illusion of the speaker being clever and intelligent.

Even once you've unlocked your inner sense of humor, you can't make jokes if you don't have any reference material.  So be pop culture savvy!  The broader your general knowledge is, the funnier your remarks will be.  Remember that funny comments are usually one-liners or quick remarks rather than long-format dialogues.

Being funny requires creativity.  Maybe your jokes help with your creativeness, or maybe your creativeness helps with your jokes.  Either way, having creativity is essential in having a good sense of humor.  Being funny requires outside-the-box thinking.  If you look at things from a different angle under a different light, clever and creative thinking will start to flow naturally.  Humor put your mind into a calmer mood, allowing you to better focus and be creative.

Which leads into the next tip.  Relax!  Being calm allows you to think clearly and focus, leading to better storytelling and witty jokes.  Besides, even comedians bomb jokes sometimes.  So stop worrying about impressing people and just try to be your naturally funny self.  Of course, there are things that can be improved upon.

Your delivery and timing, for example.  Being funny isn't only about telling great jokes.  Your mannerism, attitude, how you project yourself, and your delivery all play key parts when determining your sense of humor.  Be animated and alive, make eye contact, and speak with confidence.  Or, if you're a Dark or Dry-humored kind of person, talk in a monotonous voice but still keep your voice strong and your facial expression even.  Your delivery has to go with your humor, and if your timing if off then it can ruin the entire joke.  Also remember that smiling is contagious, so smile away!  People will be urged to smile when they see you laughing.

Lastly, be yourself!  Find your inner sense of humor and go from there.  If you just mimic other people, you'll start to be thought of as a copycat or someone who doesn't have their own jokes.  So be your own, unique self and you'll go a lot farther.

Summary: don't try too hard, be spontaneous, unlock and develop your inner sense of humor, become detail-oriented, be pop culture savvy, be creative, relax, get your delivery and timing right, and just be yourself!

Next time you're out with friends, add your own punchlines or thoughts.  Try not to worry about their judgement or what will happen if the joke falls flat.  Who cares?  Also remember that there is no recipe for funniness, it's just something that comes from the top of your head when no one least expects it.  Use your wit and reply to the situation.  Follow these Tips of Humor to make yourself a funnier person!