There’s a lesson I once heard from someone I deeply admire. It was short, almost too simple, but it hit me like a punch in the chest:
“Instead of laughing at others, become the kind of person who gets laughed at.”
At first, it sounds strange. Who wants to be laughed at? Nobody enjoys embarrassment. Nobody wants to be the butt of a joke. But if you sit with it for a moment, you’ll realize why this lesson is so powerful—and why it can completely change the way you approach your life.
The Comfort of the Crowd
The people who laugh at others—the critics, the sideline commentators, the guys at the bar pointing at someone who takes a risk—are playing it safe. They protect their ego by never stepping outside their comfort zone.
In the short term, it feels good. They never risk rejection. They never risk failure. They never risk looking foolish.
But the hidden cost is enormous: they never grow. They gain nothing, because they gave nothing.
The Power of Being Laughed At
Now think about the people who do get laughed at.
They’re the ones who step up, even when it’s uncomfortable. They’re the ones who try something new, who start a conversation with the person everyone else is too nervous to approach.
Yes, sometimes they fail. Sometimes people look at them strangely. Sometimes they get rejected. And yes—sometimes people laugh.
But here’s the key difference: they’re in the game.
And once you’re in the game, everything changes. You can win. You can improve. You can turn today’s failure into tomorrow’s breakthrough.
The guy who dares to be laughed at is also the guy who eventually reaps the rewards—the dates, the friendships, the confidence—that the safe crowd never touches.
My Early Days
When I first started approaching strangers, I was terrible. My English wasn’t smooth. My nerves got the best of me. Sometimes I blurted out things that made no sense. People looked at me like I was strange.
And yes, sometimes they laughed.
At first, it stung. I wanted to quit. But then I reminded myself: “Being laughed at means I’m actually doing something.”
So I kept going.
Over time, the awkwardness faded. Those early rejections became lessons. And the laughter? It became proof that I was taking action while others stayed silent.
Fast forward: I’ve now spoken with more than 20,000 people around the world. I’ve interviewed strangers on beaches, in cafés, and on busy streets. None of that would have been possible if I hadn’t first been willing to look foolish.
Life Is a Movie—Which Role Will You Play?
Think of life as a movie. Do you want to be the anonymous background character, walking silently through the scene, unnoticed and forgotten?
Or do you want to be the hero—the one who risks looking clumsy, but also has the chance to change the story?
The hero doesn’t always look smooth. He stumbles. He fails. He even gets laughed at.
But he’s the one the story is about.
A Simple Challenge
Next time you hesitate because you’re worried about what others might think, ask yourself:
Would I rather laugh at others from the sidelines? Or would I rather risk being laughed at—and move forward?
Being laughed at isn’t shameful. It’s proof that you’re alive, that you’re trying, that you’re brave enough to step into the arena while others stay in the stands.
Only those who take risks ever achieve something meaningful.
So here’s a challenge: do one thing today that might get you laughed at. Say hello to a stranger. Ask a question that feels silly. Try a new skill in public.
And if someone laughs? Good. That means you’re in the game.
If this message resonated with you, I share more lessons like this inside my free email series, The Global Attraction Blueprint. It’s where I go deeper into building confidence, approaching women naturally, and creating the connections you want. You can join here: The Global Attraction Blueprint.
