Celebrate National Humor Month!

It's said laughter is the best medicine, and I heartily agree. How many times has a good laugh — or at least a good story — rescued a difficult situation?  

April is National Humor Month, appropriately starting with April Fools' Day. While a harmless prank is a fun way to lighten things up among friends, it's important to keep one's sense of humor alive when things get tense at work. I'm sharing some of my favorite business-oriented stories to inspire you to lighten up uncomfortable situations.

For example, determined people possess the stamina and courage to pursue their ambitions despite criticism, ridicule or unfavorable circumstances. In fact, discouragement usually spurs us on to greater things. And a sense of humor never hurts.

It's like the high school sophomore who was doing his best to land a job for the summer, and the interview wasn't going so well.

"Look here," said the office manager, "aren't you the same young man who was in here a week ago?"

"Yes, sir," said the applicant.  

"I thought so. And didn't I tell you then that I wanted an older person?"

"Yes, sir," said the young man. "That's why I'm back. I'm older now."

A minister, a Boy Scout and a computer executive were flying to a meeting in a small private plane. About halfway to their destination, the pilot came back and announced that the plane was going to crash and that there were only three parachutes and four people.

The pilot said, "I am going to use one of the parachutes because I have a wife and four small children," and he jumped.

The computer executive said, "I should have one of the parachutes because I am the smartest man in the world and my company needs me," and he jumped.

The minister turned to the Boy Scout and, smiling sadly, said, "You are young, and I have lived a good, long life, so you take the last parachute, and I'll go down with the plane."

The Boy Scout said, "Relax, reverend, the smartest man in the world just strapped on my backpack and jumped out of the plane!"

Major League umpire Bill Guthrie was working a baseball game. Sharing the space behind the plate was a catcher from the visiting team who complained and protested many ball and strike calls. Guthrie put up with the abuse for three innings and then could take it no more.

In the fourth inning, when the heckling started up again, Guthrie stopped him. "Son," he said to the catcher, "you've been a big help to me calling balls and strikes, and I appreciate it. But I think I've got the hang of it now. So, I'm going to ask you to go to the clubhouse and show them how to take a shower."

Or consider the old veteran sales rep who runs into the new kid on the block.

"How are you getting along?" asked the old timer of the new salesman.

"Not so good," came the disgusted reply. "I've been insulted in every place I made a call."

"That's funny," said the old man. "I've been on the road 40 years. I've had doors slammed in my face, my samples flung in the street, been tossed downstairs and manhandled by janitors. But insulted — never!"

Then there's the old farmer who was celebrating his 100th birthday. He'd seen it all — the Dust Bowl, years of flooding rains and scorching heat, banks taking back mortgages on every farm in the county. But through it all, he'd remained positive and determined, even downright cheerful. His family and friends pressed him for his secret on maintaining his optimism.  

"It ain't so hard," he said with a twinkle in his eye. "I just learned early on to cooperate with the inevitable." 

While I am accustomed to public speaking and make frequent speeches to large audiences, I was a little nervous as I prepared to address a very distinguished crowd. I asked my wife what kind of remarks might be appropriate for the occasion.

"Whatever you do," Carol Ann said, "don't try to sound intellectual, sophisticated or charming. Just be yourself."  

And we are still married after 65 years.

Mackay's Moral: Take your work seriously, take others seriously, but you should never take yourself too seriously.

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Harvey Mackay is the author of the New York Times bestseller "Swim With the Sharks Without Being Eaten Alive." He can be reached through his website, www.harveymackay.com, by emailing harvey@mackay.com or by writing him at MackayMitchell Envelope Co., 2100 Elm St. SE, Minneapolis, MN 55414.