Chris Gethard is here to help you learn how to ‘Lose Well’
Comedian’s new book urges risk-taking, failing
Some of Chris Gethard’s best life advice is right in the title of his new book. In “Lose Well” (HarperOne, 244 pp.), the comedian extolls the value in taking risks and failing spectacularly (and often).
Gethard, 38, knows a thing or two about not giving up on your dreams. He cut his teeth in New
York’s improv and stand-up scene for more than a decade before scoring niche success in recent years with his wacko, star-studded “The Chris Gethard Show” and intimately confessional “Beautiful/ Anonymous” podcast.
His biggest break came in 2016 with his one-man off-Broadway show “Career Suicide,” in which he got candid about his painful yet darkly funny struggles with depression. It was later filmed for a Judd Apatow-produced HBO special, which aired last year.
Here are some of Gethard’s most inspiring life tips:
1. You don’t need to hit rock bottom to turn your life around
There could be a million reasons why you haven’t put in your two weeks’ notice for that job you hate or rescheduled that therapist appointment you made six months ago. But one excuse you should never use is that you haven’t hit rock bottom yet.
That line of thinking is dangerous, Gethard says, because while the melodrama of losing it all could seem romantic to some, your life “doesn’t need to fit the plot points of a Bruce Springsteen song.” Instead of waiting for disaster to strike, be proactive and make changes now.
2. It’s time to shake up your routine
Falling into a routine is just another part of being human, whether it’s ordering the same bacon, egg and cheese sandwich from the deli every day or watching “Seinfeld” reruns every night as you drift to sleep. But, as Gethard came to learn, sometimes it’s easier to break bad habits if you ditch the harmless ones first.
Frustrated by the monotony of his day-to-day life, Gethard sought the advice of his shrink, who suggested he “never walk home the same way twice.” So he started getting off the subway one stop earlier on his way home, discovering shops and restau-
rants he’d never seen before and encountering new people along the way.
3. Don’t apologize for the things that make you unique
Early in his career, Gethard made a name for himself staging outof-the-box live shows in which comics would be pelted by paintballs or deliver jokes from a prop toilet. Although these events were a hit in New York’s underground comedy scene, Gethard still felt insecure about vocalizing his more bizarre ideas and believed the only way he could truly succeed was by conforming to a more “industry-friendly” style of comedy, a la “Saturday Night Live” or “The Daily Show.”
It wasn’t until he pitched a traditional suit-and-tie talk show to his friend, comedian Anthony King, that he realized “my greatest asset is that I’m a total weirdo.” Rather than snuff out his oddball impulses, he learned to stop saying “sorry” and embrace them.
4. Check your ego at the door
Gethard endured his most public career setback in 2010 with the Comedy Central sitcom “Big Lake,” a critical dud canceled after one season. Enjoying some success hosting “The Chris Gethard Show” at New York’s United Citizens Brigade Theatre, he got an offer to bring it to public-access television. But he initially scoffed at the idea, writing, “I was sort of insulted, but very intrigued.”
Once he swallowed his pride, it wound up being one of the smartest decisions of his career: After four years on local TV, where it drew a small but passionate following, “The Chris Gethard Show” moved to Fusion network and then to TruTV, where it was backed by Will Ferrell and ran for three seasons before its cancellation in May.
5. You can’t force good work
We all have those days: You wake up early, pour yourself a cup of coffee and sit down at your desk determined to be your most productive self ... only to realize six hours later that you’re knee-deep in Ariana Grande and Pete Davidson’s relationship timeline and haven’t written a single word.
And that’s perfectly OK! While Gethard in no way recommends shirking responsibility to go see a movie, there are times when you just don’t have “it” and would be better off finding inspiration elsewhere.
So next time you hit a creative roadblock, consider walking outside or catching up with friends to clear your head and recalibrate.