Simon,

I'm just getting back into magic in my retirement and I'm having so much fun with it I regret I waited so long. I am much, much too old to be of the MTV generation, but sometime instant gratification isn't soon enough. Even when I am more patient and can delay gratification, I often quickly become bored practicing a paticular slieght. In another post you commented you practiced until your hands bled. So, how do you motivate yourself to practice and when practicing how do you stay focused?

I greatly enjoyed seeing you at the LVMI last fall and look forward to seeing you at PCAM2004.

Thanks,
Hugh

I really don't need much motivation - I actually really enjoy practising!

On days when I'm a bit tired or so I'll put a beer on the floor in front of me and make a deal with myself. Every time I hit what I'm practising ten times perfectly in a row (or as perfectly as I can get it!) then I can have a sip (just one) of the beer. I'll practise till the can is empty. Steve Davis (a World Champion snooker player) used to do the same thing with a sandwich (he loves to eat!) when practising snooker shots. Ecery time his break was more than 30 he could have a bite of the sandwich.

Motivation is all about rewards. Apart from the reward of your magic getting better give yourself other incentives - perhaps a cigarette (if you are smoker!), a drink, food, a late night movie or somesuch.

Hi Simon,
Nice tips on playing motivational games on oneself but don't you also agree with Jack Merlin? "To me practice is something I cannot resist. I practice because I enjoy it. When I force mysef to do it, I accomplish nothing."

I actually, not to be rotten, agree with Vernon who said that if you don't enjoy practice you should find a new hobby!

To do magic you need to practice!!

Jack Merlin just said it nicer!!

Oops. You mean there are people who really enjoy practice. That certainly would be the key and I believe it must be true. Not to be contrary, but if you enjoy it, why would you need to reward yourself with a beer? I have always said I gave up magic in my teens because I discovered girls. But maybe it was this practice thing. I mean practicing magic is a lot better than having to practice the piano when I was a kid, but after doing a move about ten times, it isn't fun anymore and my mind starts to drift. So I go onto a different slieght and come back to it later, but I think I would progress much faster if I could do 30 or 40 reps in a row. Vernon's dictum seems a little absolute, and with my erratic practice regimen I progress slowly, so I guess I will bumble along and hopefully the joy of practice will materialize sooner or later.

Any other comments or suggestions would be appreciated.

Hugh

Simon can correct me (he likes that) but your "question" was already asked and answered. Generally, Simon mentioned he enjoys practice. Since practice is a requisite to quality performance, on the days he is "a bit tired" he motivates himself by offering himself a reward.

In your case, it should be obvious that if you had a gorgeous, hot saucy temptress of deception in front of you-- but made a deal with yourself that you couldn't be "waylaid by an amorous adventure" until you finished your practice goals for the day, you'd be a better magician.

Just look what it did for Pressley Guitar!

My wife gives me a cookie when I do it right.

It was Peter Revson that once said, "Yes, Pete is quick with the shutter, especially a pink shutter on a brown house-- and he really loves those cookies.

I had no idea what he was talking about until now.

Ah I love it when a sensible post decends to depravity - the true reward for practice.

You can always rely on Pete and Randino to muddy up the road! Whenever I am with either I always make sure that I enough money on me to make bail!

But yes, Randino you are correct about liking practice but some days needing that extra incentive to really get going properly!

Quick thinking, Batman-- but you what would that have to do with Mr. Biro and myself?

You mean you aren't actually Batman and Bobkin - the new reality TV heros?

Don't forget rehearsal too!

Don't magicians who truly love the art love to practice and rehearse?

Don't magicians who truly love the art love to practice and rehearse?

Glad to see there is someone who loves typing!

I love practicing and learning in general. I practice sporadically while at work. Any chance I get, I'm either reading or practicing a sleight. When I'm home, I do at least an hour every night. I've never done the reward thing, but I'm definitely going to start! We all get tired, or discouraged, at times and that is a great way to stay motivated!

Thanks Simon!!!

Shaheed

P.S. I loved your act at the Aces of Magic! I missed some of the first act, but I liked everything I did see. All the young performers did well and Torkova was just awesome!

Thanks I think we are all agreed that practice AND rehearsal are very important and should be fun!