Fail Forward Fast

Every mistake is a learning opportunity. You can’t jump into stand-up comedy without

bombing, and the same goes for magic. You can’t become an expert magician without a

long list of embarrassing moments. It’s just part of the process. No one is exempt! 

Many of my magical mishaps are caught on video from my childhood years, and some

have even happened to me as an adult on national TV. Things go wrong all the time

during live shows. After thousands of performances in Las Vegas, my team and I have

gotten so comfortable with the unexpected that the audience almost never senses when

something’s gone off-track. But it’s okay if they do! 

People come to see a performance because they want to see a human being, being

human! They’re not watching to see you fail, but they are watching to see how you

respond when things don’t go perfectly. Perfection all the time isn’t possible. But training

yourself to stay present and responsive when something unexpected happens is

absolutely achievable.

My advice: don’t take yourself too seriously. Try to handle surprises with a smile and a

sense of ease. The next time something goes wrong, instead of getting angry or

nervous, take a breath. Step back. Maybe even laugh. Chances are, you’ve just learned

something, and now you have the opportunity to make the performance even better

next time.

- Mat Franco