What to do?

darosa.justin · Jul 10, 2008

Alright guys...

For the past...maybe 3/4 months I haven't really performed anything or practiced much with my cards. This is because I recently had exams, so I obviously couldn't spend too much time with cards, so I took somewhat of a break over the past 4 months.

Now the problem is that I no longer have any motivation to perform. This is not only because I haven't been performing or practicing, but also because I've run out of effects to show my friends.

I know I can go out into the street and maybe perform for people I've never seen, but I live in Hong Kong (cantonese speaking) whilst I only speak english- so there's the langauge barrier problem.

I've been flourishing more than practicing magic lately- just from free tutorials by Kevin Ho, Decknique, etc.

However, I don't want to get too much into flourishing, because I really am passionate for magic.

What do you suggest I do?

-Take a break for a while until I have the urge to contine with my magic?
-Get much into flourishing and forget about magic for the time being?
-Buy new material which could hopefully give me something new to show my friends, and perform again?

Or any other sugggestions?

Twozwozer · Jul 10, 2008

I like to watch some of the classic magic videos. I recommend watching Tommy Cooper and Paul Daniels. Some of their performances are fantastic.

Cheers, Tom

d34thg0d · Jul 10, 2008

Watch a few magic videos and your get inspiration to perform.

Rmana · Jul 10, 2008

I'm not saying you did this, but this exactly why you don't learn a trick and do them poorly... because you only get one chance to do it, especially to your friends.

Anyways... I think you might want to just watch a lot of material (not tuotrials, just performances) and see if anything inspires. No one can tell you what you want to do with your magic (or anything for that matter). If you aren't really inspired, you won't really want to do anything.

With that said, D+M's Dangerous could be something interesting for you... two discs - tricks and flourishes - and a lot of the tricks are really powerful.

FOO:L · Jul 10, 2008

Rmana said:
D+M's Dangerous could be something interesting for you... two discs - tricks and flourishes - and a lot of the tricks are really powerful.

agreed. also, go around youtube looking at random tricks, it should spark some of that showmanship

Tally · Jul 10, 2008

Alright I believe this is one of the most USEFUL tools in becoming successful and being motivated. It's SETTING A GOAL, VISUALIZING IT, AND FEELING THE ACCOMPLISHMENT OF THE GOAL. So my goal is to go perform daily at Las Vegas, like Copperfield, Burton, and Mac King. So I have my goal. I visualize myself being on stage, in front of hundreds of people, performing my heart out. Then I feel it. I feel what it's like after a great performance. The "YES WOO!" feeling =]. So when I remind myself of the goal I've set for myself (yours is probably different), I get motivated to practice even if I just don't feel like it. But after my practice session I feel really good because I disiplined myself into practice. But I'm still working on disiplined and getting in more time for practice. But that's how I keep myself motivated. And I got that technique from a guy who makes 4.5 million a year who has read this book called "Beyond Positive Thinking" by Robert Anthony. This stuff really works. Test it out dude.

P.S. Your last name sounds kool. =]

-Anthony Nguyen

Squirrel_Magix · Jul 10, 2008

Something that has gotten me going these past few days, the Battle System. YOu accept or send a challenge and you have fun doing it. Gotten me going.

-SM

Magic Man4293 · Jul 10, 2008

Tally said:
Alright I believe this is one of the most USEFUL tools in becoming successful and being motivated. It's SETTING A GOAL, VISUALIZING IT, AND FEELING THE ACCOMPLISHMENT OF THE GOAL. So my goal is to go perform daily at Las Vegas, like Copperfield, Burton, and Mac King. So I have my goal. I visualize myself being on stage, in front of hundreds of people, performing my heart out. Then I feel it. I feel what it's like after a great performance. The "YES WOO!" feeling =]. So when I remind myself of the goal I've set for myself (yours is probably different), I get motivated to practice even if I just don't feel like it. But after my practice session I feel really good because I disiplined myself into practice. But I'm still working on disiplined and getting in more time for practice. But that's how I keep myself motivated. And I got that technique from a guy who makes 4.5 million a year who has read this book called "Beyond Positive Thinking" by Robert Anthony. This stuff really works. Test it out dude.

P.S. Your last name sounds kool. =]

-Anthony Nguyen

Actually you should read Napoleon Hill's Think And Grow Rich that is the original book that started it all.

P.S. "Get The Edge" by Anthony Robbins is great but pricey.

-Michael

Medifro · Jul 11, 2008

Get a table, get a corner, and busk!

Here is the idea: Put on clothes that show you are an English talking guy. A hat might be helpful. The key is that when they come to watch you, they'd expect that this magician is an English speaker.

It might sound strange, but its logical if you think about it. Also, pick material that go beyond the langauge barrier, and why not learning couple of phrases from their langauge?

The best motivation to perform it to perform more!

Cheers,

darosa.justin · Jul 11, 2008

Medifro said:
Get a table, get a corner, and busk!

Here is the idea: Put on clothes that show you are an English talking guy. A hat might be helpful. The key is that when they come to watch you, they'd expect that this magician is an English speaker.

It might sound strange, but its logical if you think about it. Also, pick material that go beyond the langauge barrier, and why not learning couple of phrases from their langauge?

The best motivation to perform it to perform more!

Cheers,

Cool idea...but here's the problem-

'Busking' especailly in Hong Kong, is illegal and frowned upon by pedestrians.

Also, I can speak the language, just not fluently enough to perform a trick- which sucks.

It jsut seems that I have nothing to perform anymore (limited opportunities to perform) and therefore, no motivation to practice.

I know I should be looking for many more opportunities to perform, but I just don't know where, which the language barrier and all.

We'll see what happens from here.

SVillanueva · Jul 11, 2008

Here dude, Create your own effects is really fun, I took a break of the online magic community too come up with a effect and I think I came up with something descent.

Here is the effect

darosa.justin · Jul 11, 2008

SVillanueva said:
Here dude, Create your own effects is really fun, I took a break of the online magic community too come up with a effect and I think I came up with something descent.

Here is the effect

I've seen that already in the Media Section.

Creating my own effects is also something I will pursue, and keeps me IN magic.

Trick isn't 100% original, but it's a nice way of putting sleights otgether to create this effect.

SVillanueva · Jul 11, 2008

darosa.justin said:
I've seen that already in the Media Section.

Creating my own effects is also something I will pursue, and keeps me IN magic.

Trick isn't 100% original, but it's a nice way of putting sleights otgether to create this effect.

Its gonna be hard to come up with your own sleights ... you can come up with variations but original, that is f**in hard man.

Tally · Jul 11, 2008

If language is the problem, why don't you get a translator or learn the language? I read in Genii that people who came to the Asaian Magic Assosiation (AMA) had a translator when they perform. The convention was actually held in Hong Kong.

-Anthony Nguyen

adjones · Jul 16, 2008

Don't let the language barrier stop you.

I want you to watch David Blaine's first TV Special- Magicman. I watched it again this weekend just for the heck of it, and it was better than I remembered.

The part that has always stood out in my mind was when he traveled to Haiti and did all sorts of magic for the locals- and he didn't speak one oodle of their language. Watch it... get inspired... perform!

MentalAlex · Jul 17, 2008

Learn mentalism!

That was the cure for MY magic blues.

Now, instead of a slightly geeky sleight of hand specialist that is really good with cards and stuff, people see me as someone who can read them at a glance, influence their actions, and manipulate their perceptions of physical reality in odd and amazing ways.

The difference is STAGGERING, and for me at least, it is a whole lot more fun.