At this time of year, I always look over my shows and my performing in the last year and see what improvements I can make.

Does anyone else use this reflective idea?

I know for this year, I have also had a lot of input from folks here as well as my own reflections and have gotten a lot of changes planned for next year, such as a more focused approach to WHO my audience/market is.

Yeah, I sit down and review my performance goals for the last year and make up new ones for the new. I look at what I want to do creatively and also look at the marketing aspect.

Mike

I do this too, even though I don't perform as a pro and instead perform pretty much anywhere anytime whenever I get the chance. I love it! I have a few ideas that I've been working with for a while and I plan to write them down, so I am thinking a lot about how I've been performing and how I can do these better. I wish you guys awesome success this coming year!


Anabelle

I videotape all my shows. This allows me to see what the audience sees. Not to mention I am my own toughest critic, and I'm always making improvements. Although I do this a lot more often than most magicians, because I'm very critical when it comes to my shows. I'm just a serious perfectionist! (((POOF!)))

Hi Neale,

I've actually never tried doing this, but I like the idea and I think it would help me, even though I am only an amateur.

I often reflect on my performances and where I am/where I am going in magic, but I've never actually sat down at the end of the year and reflected on my work.

I think it would do me some good to make some specific goals for the coming year.

Thanks for the idea!

Emily Belleranti

I keep a magic journal.

Date, venue, audience, set routine, good, bad, ugly, ideas for improvement, jokes/patter to work on, leads, prospects, follow-ups, etc.

If I did something for another time (loaded a card etc.), I make a note of it.

Cheers - El Lamo

I need to be darker, maybe a bit scarier.

Easy... start a Gigli fan club... that's pretty scary.
Greg

El_Lamo brought up keeping a magic journal, which I agree is the best way to keep track of ideas. Kinda like keeping score on your best and worst shows. I too have a magic journal. My goal is to keep my magic bright and cheerful; I want people to leave my shows feeling positive about magic shows, and magicians. Best of times to all.

What is Gigli?

I own a video store.
To answer dpe666's question, Gigli is a sorry little movie starring Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck.
((Poof))