Not long ago I found myself in the midst of a discussion with a...

Not long ago I found myself in the midst of a discussion with a friend who was going on about how he would never allow a child of his to believe in Santa Claus or the Easter Bunny. “If I lie to them about that, they’ll never believe me about anything.” I didn’t argue with him.

Later on that evening, though, I found myself happy that I hadn’t had to grow up with a parent like him. You see, I DO believe in Santa, and I think our failure to believe, as adults, is a failure of imagination. Does that mean I believe there’s a fat man living at the North Pole who somehow makes the rounds of the whole world in one night, sliding down chimneys and delivering presents? Of course not. But I do believe in the Santa that our whole culture has created, together. As a whole society, we created this spirit of the holidays, this mythic character who brings magic to the holidays in a dozen different ways. I believe it is constructs like Santa Claus which help us, as a society, to transcend the limitations we have as individuals.

You see, just as a colony of ants or bees is vastly more intelligent than any individual insect, so are we, as a culture, greater than any individual. Being able to step back and view such phenomena as Santa Claus as a distinct “real” creation of a society is just one of the ways the true wizard makes use of his or her ability to see situations from different perspectives. And when you are able to do that, it’s quite easy to see just how real “Santa Claus” is!

Happy holidays, one and all.

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A New Optical Illusion Was Just Discovered, And It's Breaking Our Brains

A New Optical Illusion Was Just Discovered, And It's Breaking Our Brains:

Because weekends are great playtime… and what’s more fun that playing with our own minds? Here’s an interesting new optical illusion principle…

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Do you actually take time to feel your pain? Too many of us...

Do you actually take time to feel your pain? Too many of us simply find ways to repress it. Pain is a signal, a lesson to be learned. When we simply deaden the pains we feel or ignore them, we are bypassing an opportunity for healing, growth or learning. Real wizards strive to be completely present with whatever emotions or sensations they may be feeling, without jumping to conclusions or trying to protect themselves when they feel pain. That is a path to wisdom and power.

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This is coming up from Nov. 13-17. David DaVinci has assembled...

This is coming up from Nov. 13-17. David DaVinci has assembled an impressive list of expert presenters for his Magic Master Summit 2017, and I’m pleased to be one of them. If you’re interested in learning a lot about building your career in a very short time, this event comes highly recommended. Learn more at the website for the event. (click this sentence)

During the interview I share insights from my next book, almost finished. The working title is The Wizard’s Guide to Building a Business as an Independent Performer or Speaker, which pretty much tells you what it’s all about. I’ve been managing and producing shows, first on and off Broadway, and for the last 25 years or so in the world of magic & magicians. For my clients Jeff McBride & Marco Tempest I’ve booked nearly $30 million in contracts, and the book shares a lot of what I’ve learned along the way. 

In fact, most magicians don’t need a full-time manager, but they DO need to know the things a manager does for them. How to make sure they stay on the right side of the law, how to build a great team around them, how to create a product that fits a market… and much more. And I’m joined at the summit by some of the top performers (and top earners!) in the magic business. I know I intend to log in and learn as much as I can from the others. I hope you’ll join us.

Just click here to learn more and register.

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(Learning to really be present with your audience when you’re...

 (Learning to really be present with your audience when you’re presenting is an essential skill. Not just speaking, but listening, paying attention, can make all the difference when it comes to getting the results you want.

Magicians, more than most other performers, learn this early, because performing magic is such an interactive kind of performance. We’ll be sharing just how to make the connection and other secrets with our students this weekend at “Magic for Speakers & Presenters.” (http://ift.tt/2fTXmhd) Come enjoy a weekend in Las Vegas, and go home a better communicator!

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Have to give a pitch to land a new account? Maybe your startup...

Have to give a pitch to land a new account? Maybe your startup needs to raise another round of funding. The competition is tough! 

But you can get better at presenting very quickly with the right coaching. And, with our “Magic for Speakers & Presenters” class in Las Vegas this weekend, you can have the fun of learning a few great magic tricks at the same time!

Jeff McBride and I will teach the class, and combine our decades of experience in creating great shows AND talks to provide you with a quick, fun and easy solution to becoming a winning presenter. Only a few slots left: http://ift.tt/2fTXmhd

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In our “full bombardment” world of always-on social media, news...

In our “full bombardment” world of always-on social media, news and other inputs, it can be difficult to stop paying attention to the barrage for long enough to actually think things through for yourself. Wizards make thinking a habit… take some time away from all inputs each day and do that. I like to take walks. Walks without my phone or other devices. Just by myself, experiencing what there is to see and hear around me. Often just alone time with my thoughts. These walks are often my most productive times.

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What is the pain that your product, show, talk or other offering...

What is the pain that your product, show, talk or other offering relieves? Who has that pain, and how will it relieve their distress? Answer those two questions, and you’re well on your way to marketing success!

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Coolest thing I found on the web this week. Love music? How...

Coolest thing I found on the web this week. Love music? How about robots? Click to play…

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This was my first “Wizard Minute” video. Since we’re in October...

This was my first “Wizard Minute” video. Since we’re in October and beginning to think about Halloween, I thought the theme, “Do something that scares you,” might be appropriate. It’s an important theme, and one I have to keep reminding myself of. Your comfort zone is your enemy–at least I know mine is. If you don’t get out there and do the things that scare you, you’ll never really live, and you’re unlikely to make the dreams you have come true!

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Magic is useful as more than light entertainment. As a teaching...

Magic is useful as more than light entertainment. 

As a teaching tool, it excels…, especially if what you’re teaching is the art of giving a great presentation. At the McBride Magic & Mystery School, we’ve been offering our “Magic for Speakers & Presenters” for several years now, and it has been a huge hit with those who attend. Whether you want to do magic as a part of your talks or not; whether you’re a magician who wants to speak or a speaker who wants to add magic to your talks–this class might be for you. We offer it in November of this year in Las Vegas, and we can also bring it to your offices or event space. 

To learn more about the class in Las Vegas: 

http://ift.tt/2fTXmhd

Or to bring one of our workshops to you: 

http://ift.tt/2y2e0lj

Of course, magic also can be useful for persuasion, for healing, for the study of psychology and perception, as a way to learn how to practice and rehearse, a way to learn innovative thinking techniques… and much more. Contact Tobias Beckwith to find out more.

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One of the great secrets to getting things done effectively is...

One of the great secrets to getting things done effectively is to develop an effective team. Having the right people around you can turn challenging situations into success most of the time. True collaboration – that’s the Wizard’s Way!

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illusion911:It’s being here now that’s important. There’s no...

illusion911:

It’s being here now that’s important. There’s no past and there’s no future. Time is a very misleading thing. All there is ever, is the now. We can gain experience from the past, but we can’t relive it; and we can hope for the future, but we don’t know if there is one.-George Harrison
Motion by TheGlitch @illusion911

Great sentiment… and a fun animation. For all my illusion-loving wizard freinds. Enjoy!

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Do you give presentations - talks, shows, pitches - as part of...

Do you give presentations - talks, shows, pitches - as part of making your way in the world? You’ll need to spend some time considering these two points, essential to getting and keeping any audience.

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Here are Jeff McBride and Ariann Black signing photos after a...

Here are Jeff McBride and Ariann Black signing photos after a performance in Shanghai last summer. Why spend time doing that? Because it’s one way of making sure your audiences get satisfaction from your performances.

Any of us involved in building businesses, or enterprises of any kind, need to understand the basics of the sales process. One way of explaining that is the AIDAS formula: Get their ATTENTION, develop INTEREST in your product, build their DESIRE for the product, and ask for ACTION (the sale). The final step is to make sure of the buyer’s SATISFACTION. You want long term clients, not short-term buyers. That means you want to develop a personal relationship with those potential clients. For live performers, taking time to shake hands and sign autographs is one of the best ways to do that. That’s why we always try to make the time to meet and greet audiences after our performances.

Consider, then: How can you take this extra step, in your business, to make sure your clients are satisfied?

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I call this “Four Friends,” which is wholly inadequate. The...

I call this “Four Friends,” which is wholly inadequate. The people in the photo are myself, Jeff McBride, Eugene Burger and Larry Hass. It was taken just over a year ago, and as you can tell from our expressions, we were a happy little family. About 3 weeks ago, Eugene passed away.

Eugene, Jeff and I started The McBride Magic & Mystery School over 26 years ago. Together, we’ve seen it grow and develop from a once-a-year experiential retreat for magicians who wanted to explore what it might be like to have a “real” magical experience – into a school called by the BBC “the most prestigious magic school in the world,” with over a dozen, mostly sold out, classes and events every year. We have Eugene’s vision and guidance to thank for whatever success the school has achieved.

Eugene’s philosophical thought and teachings have influenced a whole generation of magicians and helped make magical performance a more entertaining and meaningful experience for magicians and audiences alike. His many books and videos are more than just teaching tools – they are inspirational. His life was even more so, with its clear dedication to his own unique vision, and his insistence on living the life he chose… not someone else’s vision of what it ought to have been.

We’re now preparing for our fall Master Class session – the first without Eugene. It will be strange for all of us, I’m sure. How to make sure classes continue at the same high level? How to maintain the clear vision of which Eugene’s vision and advice was always such a strong part? The same goes for the upcoming Magic & Meaning Conference, where we’ve been looking forward to Eugene’s help in creating a special “Return to the Mysteries” set of experiences such as the ones which inspired our first Mystery School retreats.

Well… if you’ve been a longtime fan of Eugene Burger, if you’ve been inspired by his magic and his magical life, perhaps you’ll consider joining us for one of these events. I hope you will. While Eugene’s legacy is in no danger, the more of us helping to spread and build upon the great work he began, the better for the world of magic and magicians.

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The Best Way To Consume 'Harry Potter'

The Best Way To Consume 'Harry Potter':

Happy Birthday to the world’s most famous wizard, Harry Potter! Hard to believe it’s already been 20 years since we first met Harry and his friends, isn’t it?

For me, these books by J.K. Rowling were more than just rousing good stories. They also made the idea of becoming a wizard something desireable. For me, of course, that led to writing about what it might be like to be a “real wizard.” That is someone with the ability to do things that seem impossible to others. 

I began my search for these real life wizards throughout history. The first ones I came across were those I knew already, from legend and fiction: Merlyn, Gandalf and The WIzard of Oz. Not good enough. Although these wizards of legend set out the parameters of what it means to be a wizard, they were works of fantasy, not reality. So I began asking friends and family, and their answers inspired me. Eventually, they led me to the remarkable lives of Leonardo da Vinci, Mary Ellen Pleasant, Mohandas Gandhi, Albert Einstein, Richard Feynman, Eve Ensler and Steve Jobs. Each one of these individuals accomplished far more in the way of changing the world than most other humans during the times they lived in. And, as it turns out, they all shared certain uncommon ways of thinking and behaving which gave them their “magical abilities.”

Put as simply as possible, these are: 

• a thirst for the kind of knowledge only obtainable by direct experience
  
• the drive to question every thought, every assumption
  
• the ability to view every situation from many different perspectives
  
• a creative, not reactive mind-set
  
• the ability to develop one’s metaskills

That’s as simple as I can make it, and I know it’s not enough… which is why I had to write The Wizard’s Way in order to expand these ideas into useful, workable techniques. If you haven’t read it yet, I hope you will, and that it will help you develop your own wizard powers… just like Harry Potter’s!

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Do you worry that we’ve stopped really communicating with anyone...

Do you worry that we’ve stopped really communicating with anyone we don’t feel is really “like us?” I do. In a world where your social media gets populated only with those who think and live as you do, we all live in our own filter bubbles. When many of us, in spite of our ability to travel the world, choose only experiences well within our comfort zone–which for most of us means experiences very much like the ones we’ve already had–how are we to expand our awareness? How are we to really know those who are NOT like ourselves?

In my experience, we only manage to reach across our differences by associating and communicating with, those outside our normal filter bubbles. We grow only by expanding our range of experience. Here’s the problem: Shouting and trolling at one another isn’t real communication. It doesn’t lead to either party in the conflict growing or becoming better, smarter, more capable human beings. Only real communication, does that. And real communications involves learning to express your beliefs in ways that don’t trigger your listeners. It involves real listening and honest consideration of other people’s points of view. It requires us to think and consider ideas we find uncomfortable. It requires a certain amount of real strength and courage. Are you up to that kind of challenge? 

If so, you might be ready to embark on the path to real leadership.

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Which is another way of saying that what you were absolutely...

Which is another way of saying that what you were absolutely sure was true yesterday, might be completely wrong today. Don’t just question everything–do it again and again. Life is a process, not something fixed in a single configuration. You’ll have much more fun learning to surf the change than trying to make things stay as they are!

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Why You Can Never Argue with Conspiracy Theorists on WIRED Video...

Why You Can Never Argue with Conspiracy Theorists on WIRED Video

A great series, apparently produced by WIRED… on how to spot false arguments on the internet, or wherever you encounter it. You’ve heard the terms, but probably not quite known what they meant (I didn’t). Well explained here. Enjoy!

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I heard something similar on a podcast recently. The interviewee...

I heard something similar on a podcast recently. The interviewee commented that he could often learn things from others that he had trouble learning himself, because once he actually saw the others doing the thing, some deep part of him realized it was a possible thing, and he could do it. Before he saw someone do it, that deep part of him didn’t believe it was possible.

I know this is true from working with young magicians, and my own experience as a young magician. There were many sleight-of-hand techniques which, when one attempted to learn them from a book, no matter how clearly described and illustrated, just frustrated you in your attempts. The result was that very, very few magicians every mastered those sleights.

However, once teaching on video became popular, with top performers teaching and demonstrating those same techniques, a whole new generation of young magicians was suddenly able to pick up the kind of sleight-of-hand skills very quickly. Those things you could tell yourself “were just impossible” when you tried to learn them without the human example before you showing you otherwise, quickly became much less difficult.

So… what tasks are you looking at and thinking must be impossible, or at a level of difficulty far beyond your abilities? Go find someone doing exactly those things. You’ll be amazed at what you can do once you know it’s possible!

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To put it another way: Your comfort zone is your greatest...

To put it another way: Your comfort zone is your greatest weakness. Embrace discomfort, embrace fear, embrace the things that bother you. We learn far more from discomfort, from failure, from our willingness to admit our shortcomings and our ignorance, than we ever do from our successes, our comfort, our sense that we “know it all.”

Too much of contemporary life is about getting more stuff in order to make ourselves more comfortable. I think that’s probably what those folks relegated to the pods in The Matrix did. Wouldn’t you prefer to actually LIVE your life? I know I would!

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When was the last time you just took a few hours off, by...

When was the last time you just took a few hours off, by yourself, without any devices? No input streams other than the natural ones? Time to think, to feel, just to let yourself be?

It is so important to take this kind of time. Time to step outside your busy schedule, all the “doings” you are involved in. Sometimes you’ll look in and feel great about what you’re accomplishing, where you’re going. Other times you might see just how ridiculous it all is… and see a need to change directions that you would never have seen had you continued that marathon of urgencies, race to do more, faster.

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Loved this… but I’m curious. What do YOU see when you...

Loved this… but I’m curious. What do YOU see when you stare at it for 30 seconds or so? Do it now…

Okay. What did you see? How do you feel different than you did beforehand? Just curious…

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No one can hold back your progress better than yourself. This is...

No one can hold back your progress better than yourself. This is the thing you are truly the very best in the world at!

Others may try to hold you back. They’ll say, “You can’t do that.” “That’s impossible.” “You don’t have what it takes.” They’ll say whatever they think, whatever would hold them back if they were trying to accomplish what you are set out to do. They can’t stop you unless you believe them. They can’t stop you unless you let them. Don’t let them. You don’t need them to hold you back–only you have the ultimate power to do that, and you’re more than capable, all on your own!

Just get yourself in the habit of telling yourself, “I don’t the time.” “I can’t afford it.” “I just don’t know how.” and the hundred negative thoughts that we all use to keep us from doing things, and you’re sure to stop yourself.

Or… you could just stop wasting your time with all that, and get on with creating the changes in yourself and your world, get on with achieving the things you really want to do. Just get out of your own way! THAT’s the Wizard’s Way.

http://ift.tt/2cxQfc8

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Fun is underrated in our adult world. And yet most of the great...

Fun is underrated in our adult world. And yet most of the great improvements in our lives come from people so driven by their passions, people having so much fun creating the things they are creating, they can’t imagine doing anything else. Food, sleep, other things in life–things you and I might consider essential–get brushed to the side. 

My last real boss, when I had my last real job, liked to say, “If we’re not having fun, and not making money, we should be doing something else.” I learned more from him than anyone else I’ve ever worked with, and had more fun doing it.

So: Are you having enough fun, and making money while you do it? If not, either you’re doing it wrong, or you need to find something else to do. Someone else, who CAN find the fun in doing what you are doing, will do it far better than you ever can. And in the meantime, there is that thing out there that will spark your passion, your curiosity, sense of adventure… that you’ll find so much fun doing that you can’t help become the very best at it. Find that thing!

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Bezos is right… and it certainly has served him well!...

Bezos is right… and it certainly has served him well! Currently worth an estimated $72 billion, and rated best CEO in the world (2014/ Harvard Business Review), Bezos has proved himself a true world-changer many times over.

So, what innovation are you waiting to create? Why aren’t you creating it right now? Let’s all get busy, right this minute. There is certainly no shortage of changes we can make to improve the world.

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Not all of our fears are instinctual–many have been...

Not all of our fears are instinctual–many have been implanted by parents, teachers, and society. “Don’t do that!” can be a powerful instruction when given by someone you think of as an authority. This is one of the reasons real wizards “question everything,” especially things we fear.

Fear prevents us from having many of the experiences that might help us grow and overcome our limitations. Questioning everything, overcoming your fears, is one of the keys to doing the impossible.

And THAT’s the Wizard’s Way! You can learn more from the book:

http://ift.tt/2cxQfc8

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Did you know the word “Wizard” was a magical word? I see this as...

Did you know the word “Wizard” was a magical word? I see this as a happy synchronicity… the word also comes from the same root as “wisdom,” – wizards are “wise-ards.” 

So, where does one go to get “wisdom?” Probably not to school. Wisdom is that special kind of knowledge one can only get from having experiences, and then reflecting on them. Have you had unusual or special experiences which taught you life lessons others might not have had? Perhaps you are on your way to becoming a real wizard!

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goodvibesandchilltimes:ᎾᏢᏆᎥᏟᎪᏞ ᎥᏞᏞusᎥᎾᏁ Try doing what the title...

goodvibesandchilltimes:

ᎾᏢᏆᎥᏟᎪᏞ ᎥᏞᏞusᎥᎾᏁ

Try doing what the title says. Have a little fun with your senses… in this case vision. Perception shapes our reality, and perceptions can be manipulated–by artists, by others, and even by ourselves. When you realize that most of your experience is an illusion, it becomes much easier to shape that experience.

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Still my favorite Steve Jobs creation – a true wizard,...

Still my favorite Steve Jobs creation – a true wizard, celebrating other real-life wizards. I don’t know about you, but this is the club I aspire to join!

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When we see a friend doing something that is hurting themselves...

When we see a friend doing something that is hurting themselves or hurting someone else–or is just wrong–it’s often much more difficult to call them out on their action that it would be if they were not our friend. When enemies do things we don’t appreciate, it’s much easier to adopt a confrontational stance–we don’t have the same investment in those people we do in our friends. We care less that they might not like us or our actions–in fact, we expect they will not.

But, even though it may be harder, it is even more important that we be clear with friends and loved ones about our values, our boundaries and the like. Friends need not agree with us on every point, but if they are making decisions that might hurt them, it is our responsibility to point that out. And, when doing so, that’s when we learn the hard lessons about communication. That’s when we need to learn the lessons of real emotional intelligence, of non-violent communication techniques and the like.

When we communicate with enemies (witness much of the current political discourse in our country today), we often go out of the way to make them feel stupid, incompetent, immoral, etc. But when you communicate in ways that do that, you virtually assure that instead of hearing you and considering your point of view, they will be triggered to push back, to try and hurt you back… and never really hear your argument. In short, communication will fail.

Real communication is a wizard superpower–one of the more important meta skills I discuss in The Wizard’s Way books. So, have you practiced your communications skills lately? The ability to engage in meaningful conversation with your supposed “enemies” is way to build your personal power, and well worth your practice!

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Do you think of some days as being “special” in your lives?...

Do you think of some days as being “special” in your lives? Perhaps your company or organization has one - the day a new project launches, or when you’ve achieved a particular goal, for instance. Here’s a short video from Marco Tempest and the EG conference, celebrating magic, augmented reality… and a special day! I hope it will motivate you to make today a special one for yourself, or someone you care about!

And, if you’re organizing a conference or other event you want to make especially memorable, perhaps you should contact me to discuss how Marco, or one of our other wizards, can help you make that a reality!

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Richard Feynman on the Art Behind Science – The Polymath Project – Medium

Richard Feynman on the Art Behind Science – The Polymath Project – Medium:

I get a vacation from writing today… partly because I found this wonderful article on Medium, by Charles Chu, about one of my favorite real-life wizards, Richard Feynman (and some others). It’s another way of looking at the idea of making yourself see and experience things from many different perspectives, and how we can escape what he calls "theory as a straitjacket.”

Enlightening reading… enjoy!

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A favorite quote for many a fiction writer! “Of course this...

A favorite quote for many a fiction writer! “Of course this didn’t actually happen… but I’m going after a greater truth here.” Right.

Still, there ARE greater truths in most good books, films and other works of fiction than what are readily clear to us in real life. This, I believe, is partly because we are, most of us, so busy just reacting to whatever comes our way that we fail to really consider or create a real purpose for ourselves, and without the struggle to achieve something, there isn’t a lot of great meaning available to us. 

I hope you will reflect on this a bit for yourself, and, if you decide I’m right, that you’ll create some particular purpose, some goal… if not for your life, then just for this day, or for this week. And I hope you’ll do everything in your power to reach that goal. And, at the end of this day, or week, that you’ll have a great and meaningful story to tell!

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Do you have the will, the strength, to create what others...

Do you have the will, the strength, to create what others believe to be impossible? Steve Jobs did, and this was just one of his secrets: The Reality Distortion Field.

It is just one of his secrets I discuss in The Wizard’s Way…which also contains secrets of other great change-makers throughout history, from da Vinci to Einstein and beyond.

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Certainly da Vinci was speaking literally here, as an artist and...

Certainly da Vinci was speaking literally here, as an artist and an engineer. He was referring to the kind of measurement you can do with a tape measure or ruler.

But suppose he was also speaking poetically? Suppose the true measure of the stature of a human being is all about the degree to which they open their arms to life, to generosity, to experience? If that’s true… how tall will you choose to stand?

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It is so easy to let all the little things in life take over....

It is so easy to let all the little things in life take over. Bills to pay, e-mails to answer, social media to browse. But you can lose your sense of where you want to go. You can so easily lead a life that is nothing but a reaction to all the “busy-ness” going on around you. Is that what you really want for yourself? When you’re on your deathbed, will you really be proud that you answered just one more e-mail?

Take time out to consider the things you really want to do, the things that will make you feel great about yourself when the time to hang it all comes… and then go out and do those things FIRST, before you take on the merely urgent things you have to react to.

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Leaders in business must give presentations. They must present...

Leaders in business must give presentations. They must present at meetings, to potential clients, to investors–in dozens of different situations. Each time you give a presentation, you are representing your business, representing your team. Is the message you are sending one of confidence and competence? Are you sending a message that you and your company care enough about your clients, about your employees to give them considered, responsive, and inspiring talks? Do you care enough to avoid wasting their time with less than clear messages?

Spend some time with each presentation you must give. Take the time to define the purpose of that presentation, to pare down the message to the essentials necessary to achieve that purpose. It isn’t that difficult to become a great presenter. We can facilitate that process for you. It is easiest working with you in a group of from 10-20 others so that you actually get the experience of speaking and connecting with a live audience. Second best is a one-on-one coaching session with Tobias or one of our other director/coaches. We work with top performers in many different fields and have the knowledge and experience to transform you and your talks quickly.

Don’t you owe it to yourself and your company to deliver the most effective, persuasive and inspiring talks possible? Let us help. 

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If you want to know all about someone you’ve just met, just find...

If you want to know all about someone you’ve just met, just find out who the 5 or 10 people they spend most of their time with. Have a look at each one of them, and then figure an average. How educated? Your person is likely fall right into the center of the group with regard to their level of education. How rich or poor are they? Add up yearly salaries for all the friends, or net worth… and divide by the number of friends–and that’s likely to be the number for your new acquaintance.

I think it’s generally the same with attitudes and ability to innovate. You see this in many companies, where all the employees eventually develop similar attitudes about risk and innovation. 

So: What sort of culture are you creating in your company? What are you doing to encourage the risk-takers, the innovators? Who are you rewarding and celebrating? Think about it: If you could live the “innovation level” of all your employees by just a few percentage points, what could you accomplish that you are not?

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Anyone who has taken a public speaking class has heard that...

Anyone who has taken a public speaking class has heard that using stories to get your message across is a good strategy. But what makes for a great story?

Character, setting and plot are all elements of a good story, but it is conflict which really grabs our interest. Not just a retelling of what happened, but the obstacles overcome, the differences of opinion, the struggles the hero of the story had to go through in order to achieve the outcome. Find a great conflict, and you can create a great story. And if you have great stories, you’re on your way to giving great talks!

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A simple test to tell a “good” wizard from an “evil” one: Do...

A simple test to tell a “good” wizard from an “evil” one: Do they use their “powers” to empower others? That’s a good wizard.

Do they use their power only to accrue more power for themselves, or to limit the power of others? That’s an evil wizard.

I think it’s same with politicians, corporations, and others. Support those who help empower you!

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If you’re one of those C-Level executives regularly asked to...

If you’re one of those C-Level executives regularly asked to speak at corporate events, have you considered the cost of your talk, and what ROI you really want from it?

Our approach at The Wizard Venture might help you. We work hard with you to define the precise purpose and goals for the talk, and then to structure an experience that will help you achieve precisely those goals. We think of every talk both as making a sale and putting on a great show, and we can help with both of those goals.

So, next time you “have to” speak at one of those events, schedule some time with Tobias Beckwith or one of our other top people, and let us help you deliver excellence and get top value for your time and the company’s money!

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Too often, we allow ourselves to be wounded by our critics and...

Too often, we allow ourselves to be wounded by our critics and their observances about how we have performed. In truth, there are critics who revel in stating their criticisms in terms that will hurt us. However, the serious creator, whether they are creating art or business (or both), learns to listen to the critics, sort through and evaluate their criticisms, and then to make changes and improvements as necessary.

None of us are perfect. Everything we do can be improved. A good critic can be your best friend by pointing out the places that improvement might take place. So it can really pay to learn to accept, to embrace your critics and what they say. But never let the fear of what they might say keep you from making a bold statement or from creating the next great product or company. Learn to separate the critic’s own prejudices from your reality and from their valid recommendations. None of them is perfect, either. Think for yourself. Dare greatly–which means daring to fail greatly– and learn from the results, and move on to even greater excellence.

That’s The Wizard’s Way!

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Endlessly unfolding… sometimes it takes an illusion to...

Endlessly unfolding… sometimes it takes an illusion to reveal the truth. Or not. May this give you a few moments of peace this weekend. Allow your mind to follow a different track, if only for a few minutes. This is one of the ways you can continue to grow.

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I love skies…this was a good one from a recent walk with...

I love skies…this was a good one from a recent walk with my dogs by San Pablo Bay. Have a wonderful, chill weekend. Take a few minutes to enjoy something beautiful.

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I think she is right. So… do you have what it takes to...

I think she is right. So… do you have what it takes to follow the real wizard’s path? Do you have the mental strength to actually “question everything?” To go out and get the experiences others avoid, just so you can push your own boundaries and grow into your power? How about the ability to take on “radical responsibility” for whatever you might see that needs to be changed in yourself and your world?

If you do, you’re already on the wizard’s path. Read The Wizard’s Way to find a bit more about where you might be headed!

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One of the biggest secrets to giving great presentations is...

One of the biggest secrets to giving great presentations is rehearsal. But few people outside of showbusiness really understand the most effective ways to rehearse a presentation. In this video, Tobias enumerates several effective techniques to get the most out of your rehearsals.

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We can either resist change or celebrate it. Since change is...

We can either resist change or celebrate it. Since change is inevitable, I choose celebration!

Indeed, one way of defining what it means to be a wizard leader is that we are effective agents of change. We use the wisdom we have gained from our unique experience to instigate change. We use our “secret knowledge” both the create change and make sure it is lasting. We create experiences for others that will help them accept and enjoy the change they are experiencing.

So I encourage you not just to change your thinking around your problems, but to adopt an attitude that celebrates the change, that can see change itself as a benefit. And, at the same time, to learn from all your experiences, to apply your ability to look at specific changes from many perspectives, and use the resulting wisdom to help guide yourself, your organizations and friends, to specific changes that will empower and benefit everyone!

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akwI’ve been fascinated with hypnosis since I was a teenager...

 akwI’ve been fascinated with hypnosis since I was a teenager when I used to hypnotize my friends at parties. It was only much later that someone pointed out how easy it is for us to fall into trance, and the fact that we do so whenever we “enter the world” of a good story. You know, that moment when you are reading or watching a film, and your normal world just kind of falls away. People around you in the physical world my try and get your attention, but you’re “not there,” because your conscious mind is fully absorbed by the world of the story? That’s trance.

When you want to persuade others to take a particular action, this is an invaluable tool, because when our audience is in this trance state, we are speaking directly to their subconscious minds, without all the filters of the conscious mind. Personal opinions, beliefs and other barriers to change are dropped. We become, as the hypnotherapists might say, “suggestible.”

This is why really great advertising always tells a story–and why you should tell stories in the course of any presentation you need to make, as well. Stories are often the way we get ourselves to change, and among the most effective ways of changing the world around us.

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A woman in constant pain–so much that she had, for a time,...

A woman in constant pain–so much that she had, for a time, to have herself carried in her bed to social occasions because walking was too painful–and yet she lived a life fuller than most. Her paintings hang in major museums around the world. She was a political and social activist unafraid to fight against oppression. If Frida could laugh at her situation, laugh at herself, and still press forward, living the fierce and independent life she did in spite of everything, well… what’s holding you back?

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This seems to be Wisdom Week here at the Wizard Minute!Which is...

This seems to be Wisdom Week here at the Wizard Minute!

Which is why today’s video is about owls and why they are the most common “Wizard’s Familiar.” Other than the fact that they are just cool, of course.

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Did you know that “wisdom” and “wizard” come from the same root?...

Did you know that “wisdom” and “wizard” come from the same root? Wizards are those who have power and use it with wisdom (indeed, wisdom is sometimes said to be power). The sorcerer, on the other hand, simply wields power. The sorcerer is less concerned with doing the right thing, less concerned with the wisdom of his (or her) actions.

So let’s choose the path of the wizard. Let us not seek power for power’s sake, as too many of our politicians do. Let us use our power, our technology, our knowledge, with wisdom, to empower others. Let us educate the uneducated, embrace the differences we might have in a way that can add to the power and wisdom of all. Let’s change the world in a way that will make a richer world for our children.

And, just for today, let’s begin by seeking out an experience to have, and experience to give, that will begin our own transformations, and that will lead to the empowering transformation of someone else. That’s The Wizard’s Way!

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When you really want to master something, sign up to give a talk...

When you really want to master something, sign up to give a talk about it!

We spend a great deal of time doing research, building products, building teams, etc. But when it comes time to pitch our product, company or team, we often find ourselves at a loss. Take the challenge–create that pitch, even if you don’t think you need it right now. The process of figuring out how to explain the thing to others will help you clarify your own thinking about it. Clear thinking–real thinking, not just repeating what others have said–is a source of real power.

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It was his birthday yesterday. Shakespeare, I mean. I thought...

It was his birthday yesterday. Shakespeare, I mean. I thought this quote might be appropriate for your #MondayMotivation. What have you been “fearing to attempt?”

Shakespeare had a useful way of getting himself to move forward and forget his fears about writing. That way was a deadline, and one with consequences. If he didn’t deliver a play on time, his whole theater company was out of business! Nothing like having a few dozen others rely on you to keep them working.

So, what are the things you really want to accomplish, but have been putting off? Set yourself a deadline. Give it some consequence if you don’t meet it. Then get busy!

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See…Leonardo was FAR ahead of his time. Steve Jobs...

See…Leonardo was FAR ahead of his time. Steve Jobs dedication to the same idea had a LOT to do with Apple’s re-ascendance. So: when you think you have that product, that talk, that performance perfected–see how you might simplify it, and if that doesn’t improve it

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We’re all in danger of this, today. Not just reading, but the...

We’re all in danger of this, today. Not just reading, but the process of getting all our thoughts from outside sources. TV, Twitter, Facebook, Wikipedia, podcasts, books (remember those?)… There is a whole universe of other people’s thoughts out there. If you decide to claim them as your own, at least take the time to fully examine them, to see if you can figure out the premises from which they were derived, and the logic that got those who thought them originally to reach their conclusions, and whether those things (premises, logic) are even valid.

This was the great secret of thinkers like Einstein and Richard Feynman. Question everything, and learn to think for yourself. Da Vinci was firmly dedicated to “learning from experience,” and not blindly accepting what he termed “second-hand knowledge” from outside sources. What can you question right now that might change your life? What do you believe that might “just not be true?”

Though “Question Everything” is a motto for The Wizard’s Way, just questioning isn’t really enough. You have to put in the effort to figure things out for yourself. That’s real power. That’s the Wizard’s Way!

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Logic is a filter which allows us to determine what is true from...

Logic is a filter which allows us to determine what is true from what is not. But it’s not a lot of use when it comes to creating the future. If you want to be a real change agent, you’re going to need imagination. But how do we develop our imaginative powers?

One way is to read. To read novels, to experience the most fantastic worlds and experiences that writers could dream up with their imaginations. Another is to re-activate your ability to play. when you were a child, play was easy. Make-believe was what you did best. You can do it again, but you must give yourself permission. If you have trouble doing that on your own, there are various places and groups who will help you. Renaissance Fairs, Cosplay events, Improv groups… joining any one of these will put you in the midst of a group of other creative players who will encourage you in your own efforts.

While you’re busy working on that imagination, don’t forget to have fun!

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Why does one person experience tragedy–perhaps a disabling...

Why does one person experience tragedy–perhaps a disabling accident that leaves them wheelchair bound–and decide their life is over, defeated, while another sees the same situation as an “ultimate challenge,” and goes on to greatness?

Why do some people feel threatened by others who are not like them, joining their communities and earning their places there, while others celebrate that same diversity?

Why do some engage in abuse of friends, family and anyone weaker than they, and others do the opposite, always seeking to empower and uplift those around them?

It’s not what has happened to you that will determine your character. It’s how you choose to interpret and respond to what has happened to you. You have the power to choose. When it’s all said and done–how would you like to be remembered. Now is the time to start being that person, if you haven’t begun already.

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hedwigkieslers: “I’m sure she’ll be remembered more for her...

hedwigkieslers:

“I’m sure she’ll be remembered more for her invention than for her films. There are 10 million movie stars, and they’re forgotten as soon as the new ones come out. Her breakthrough technology is here to stay.” - Denise Loder-DeLuca

Was Heddy Lamarr a magician, as well as inventor and movie star? Here she appears to be practicing some variety of interesting manipulation. I KNEW she was a real wizard!

Heddy was far ahead of her time in many respects. The feminist movement of the 1960′s and 70′s was still decades away when she was busy creating the first spread-spectrum devices even while working as a movie star in Hollywood. Unstoppable!

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fredastaireritahayworth: Rita Hayworth and Fred Astaire dance in...

fredastaireritahayworth:

Rita Hayworth and Fred Astaire dance in William A. Seiter’s ‘You Were Never Lovelier‘ (1942)

I had such a crush on Rita Hayworth when I was in college! My university had a classic film series, and for awhile was playing all the old Astaire movies. She was by far my favorite partner–sex with class! Just thought I would share this to brighten your weekend day.

While I’m at it, I should mention that dancers learn better than most how important and effective it can be to “think with your body.” If you’re not regularly engaging in some healthy form of physical activity, you’re missing a huge (YUGE!) chance to improve not only your physical, but your mental and emotional health as well!

So go, kick your heels and have a ball!

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Have you considered that you have control of the thoughts in...

Have you considered that you have control of the thoughts in your head?

You only get to have that control, though, if you consciously choose what thoughts get into your head in the first place. If you spend all your time listening to rabble rousers on talk radio, you’ll have a head filled with one kind of thoughts. If you spend your time reading spiritual texts, you’ll have another. If you allow all of your time to be filled with media from your various screens, it is unlikely you’ll have very many of your own thoughts in your head… and yet this is what most of us do, most of the time.

Take some time out from all the information streams besieging you. Whether it is a walk in nature (without headphones!), a period of quiet meditation, or some other “vacation from media” time, spend some time each day thinking your own thoughts. You’ll be amazed at how effective you can become when you do!

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When you need to “make the sale,” sometimes it helps to get the...

When you need to “make the sale,” sometimes it helps to get the people you want to influence to “buy in” a few times before you ask them to make the ultimate commitment. Here’s a simple technique to help make that happen.

And by “make the sale,” I’m not necessarily referring to actually selling something for money. Sometimes the thing you’re selling is better behavior from a team member. Sometimes it is a social goal. Perhaps you want to “sell” someone on becoming a part of your team, or just get them to change an opinion or attitude they might be having that is preventing them from achieving what they could be achieving.

Remember: The true wizard leader creates change, and one of the ways of doing that is by “selling” others on helping you to create it.

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More than ever, I think, we’ve come to an age where just doing...

More than ever, I think, we’ve come to an age where just doing things in a way that is “good enough,” is to court failure and disappointment. Steve Jobs saw to it that making a computer that is just “good enough” to do the job was not good enough. We expect excellence in design, excellence in the way we are treated as customers, excellence at every step of the way.

If your company or organization is sending out product, service–anything really–that is just “good enough,” your competition will eat you alive. Your customers have come to expect “the best.” And that “best” of today will be the “good enough” of tomorrow. Like the shark, we must move continually forward to survive.

You can choose to be frightened by this–or thrilled. Life is meant to be an adventure, so I choose “thrilled.” At The Wizard Venture, we can show you ways to recapture that thrill, if you’re thinking you may be losing it. That’s a big part of what we do.

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Live lightly… conduct experiments on your way to a...

Live lightly… conduct experiments on your way to a goal. 

Think of each task as “let me see if this will work,” and if they don’t, you won’t feel you have failed… you will have actually succeeded at finding something that doesn’t perform as you expected it to!

I spent some time teaching young scientists to deliver effective talks about their work. As I was teaching the speaking aspects, they were also learning Computational Biology. For years, other scientists had been conducting lab experiments that failed, and then setting huge data sets aside, marked as “failed.” But, using the tools of computational biology, that data could be quite easily re-examined–and students in these classes were making some major discoveries using those data sets for purposes they hadn’t been intended for!

So: when your experiment doesn’t turn out as you expected, take a few moments and see what else you might be able to learn from it!

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…and isn’t Monday a good day to consider, “Where do I...

…and isn’t Monday a good day to consider, “Where do I want to go?”

Wishing you all a nice set of clear goals, and the means to reach them!

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7-passion:Why is this so calming? Sometimes it helps just to...

7-passion:

Why is this so calming?

Sometimes it helps just to sit and stare.

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themindoflove:Had a blast at the Trick Eye Museum in Busan,...

themindoflove:

Had a blast at the Trick Eye Museum in Busan, South Korea.

Something I found on Tumblr… a nice reminder that it’s all illusion, and we can take delight in illusion.

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