It's not what you know, it's who you know. Network.
Don't focus on learning how to perform a hundred tricks well. Focus on learning to perform seven tricks better than anyone else in the world.
Don't buy into a trick, self image, industry, or career because you think it's just cool. Do it because you love it. Do it because you want it, and do it because it's not only a completion of who you are, but an extension of that person to everyone who sees you.
Be brutally honest with yourself everyday. Constantly challenge yourself to change, improve, and evolve. Discard what no longer works for you and have no fear about evolving yourself. Embrace and love yourself for who you are today even if that person is different or has different interests than who you were yesterday.
Never buy your own marketing material. Remain humble, and willing to help others, the same as others helped you.
Stand up for the art of magic and protect the integrity of the art. Practice good morals and business ethics when participating in it.
Anyone can learn how to do a trick, but not everyone can become a Magician. We were once wise men, elders, story tellers, sages, advisers, visionaries, and entertainers. The ability to inspire and create is an awesome responsibility and one we should never take lightly.
Never forget that you are an inspiration to someone. Because of you, dreams become possible, projects get started, and peoples lives become better.
Never underestimate the power of simple magic. Practice your foundations, and revisit the basics once in a while. The most advanced sleight of hand can easily be eclipsed in a spectators mind by a basic trick with an amazing performance.
It's the performance that matters, not the trick.
Never buy into magic companies hype over their products. Remember that they are corporations, and thus out to make money for themselves. Buy into effects, tricks, things, that matter to you as a performer. Buy into the things that will impact your ability to provide a good show for your audiences, don't just buy into something for the social status of it. Don't buy into something because it's a bandwagon. Buy a product because you believe in it, not because they believe you should have it.
Every single day fail at something, and don't be afraid to make mistakes. We learn best from making mistakes, not from succeeding at what we're trying to do.
You will always find time for the things that matter most in your life.
Once you learn how to perform a trick put the instructions in box, and put that box away. Re-write the presentation so it is in your words and fits your style. Never perform something stock.
Never try to do anything. Have you ever seen someone try to learn a magic trick? You either learn it or you don't. Trying is an illusion that only produces stagnation in personal growth and development. At best it just teaches you how to become better at procrastination, not performing. Succeed at doing something. Only through success do we find progress.
Lastly, believe in yourself and your dreams. Never let someone tell you that your dreams aren't important or can't be done. If you don't believe in yourself no one will. Take ownership for accomplishing in life what you want to do. Whether that be in magic or anything else you aspire to do.
