In Case If You Are Looking for Some Advice

After an evening performance at Slapface cafe in Fremont last month, I received an email from a young audience member who also loves performing magic and he was seeking guidance from me. 

Very frequently, magicians, or magic enthusiasts “slide into my DMs” for advice about magic. To me, it means that I am doing something right and people think I understand what I am doing in a different level, even if I am just a young man in my mid-20s. I sincerely appreciate these people who think highly of me, but honestly, I still have so much to learn as well and I don’t think I have much wisdom to offer. Additionally, we all approach things differently in life. It's not easy for me to tell you what to do, but if I had to give advice or at least a few words that I think have helped me to do better in magic, I would probably tell you these:

1. No matter how good you think you are, there is always someone out there that is better. There is always room to grow, so don’t stop. 

2. Practice. Practice every single piece of magic /routine you know alone before you show it to people, and don't just practice till you can do it. Practice till the point that you cannot do things wrong.

3. “If your only tool is a hammer, then every problem looks like a nail.” Know the ins and outs as much as you can. Expand your techniques and knowledge if you want to be at least decent with what you do. 

4. Magic is one of the hardest ways to be rich & famous. There are better ways to make money and fame if that is your goal with magic. 

5. Listen and observe your audience or fellow magicians. People want to see you succeed and that is why they are telling you what they think about you and your magic. Some of their points are valuable, so don’t neglect their opinions even if some of them aren’t what you want to hear. 

6. Before you pursue becoming a professional magician, you should at least try to be a decent magician who can perform something deceptive for a few years first.

7. In terms of plotting, keep things simple, but not as “straight line” from point A to point B. Give it a twist if you can.(Thanks Tommy Wonder.) 

8. Techniques aren’t everything, but without techniques there is nothing.

9. What you think will affect what you do and what you do will affect what people perceive. To fully understand what people will perceive, you will have to ask yourself what you think about what you do first.

10. Actions speak louder than words. Sometimes it is better to just shut up and do the trick.  

11. Forget about preparing tricks/handling for magicians only. If people are watching what you do, they should be treated equally no matter their background in magic. Instead, do the trick you do best, which is usually the one you’ve done the longest and is mostly personal to you.(Thanks Geoff Latta.)

12.  Revise your beliefs once in a while. (Thank you Roberto Giobbi.) 

Do you think these advice are helpful? Leave a comment below and let me know what you think :)