A Few Pieces of Advice That I Live By

To all those future magicians—it’s okay to do it as a hobby. Performing Magic professionally is something that must burn within. You must have the passion, discipline, and relentless work ethic to achieve a dream.

Motivation comes and goes, but discipline is always there. Don’t worry about making money. Worry about evolving, transforming, learning, and being able to pivot. Get in front of an audience as much as possible and listen to them. They will always tell you what they like and what they don’t.

Don’t be anyone else but yourself. There’s only one of you, so celebrate who you are. Be unique, original, and authentic. Too many magicians get caught up in the tricks. Yes, it’s important to have original mind-blowing Magic, but don’t forget about the most important part – selling yourself! It’s not, “How I do it, it’s how I make you feel when you watch it.” The magic of emotion is the most important connection a spectator can have, and far greater than any trick you can perform.

And remember, failure is the step before success. Don’t be afraid to fail. Without it, you won’t succeed. Learn from it, and be honest with yourself always, and be around people that you trust that will give you honest feedback.

You’re a product of your environment – if you hang out with sh_t, you’ll start to smell like it. If you hang out with smart talented people, that’s what you will become.

Lastly, the journey is far greater than the destination. Enjoy every moment of it.

-Criss