THE OTHER HOUDINI?

The Magical Power Of Belief!

If you are, or have ever been a pet owner, you know there is a special almost magical bond that develops in this kind of relationship. Such is the case with our dog “Houdini”.

At first glance, our lovable puppy seemed to be just like any other dog; affectionate, playful and carefree. However, as time and experience quickly marched on, a most uncanny “psychic” ability started to develop.

We acquired our Lhasa Apso “Houdini” as our older dog approached 16 in human years. The concept was that a puppy would breathe new life into our aging old friend and make the inevitable life expectancy transition easier to handle. In reality, it did even more.

And contrary to popular belief, it was not I who gave Houdini his name, it was his breeder. It seems the lady had been calling him “Harry”, and when she found out my profession pleaded with us to name him “Houdini”. A name, which I might add, he’s lived up to many times.

In fact, the first night he stayed over at the Vet’s, he escaped from his cage three times!! However, all these escapades could not prepare us for the magic that was to follow.

You see “Houdini” has developed a magical, almost psychic ability to open doors. Now before you think me mad, please hear me out.

Houdini can open a door by concentrating on it. How does he do it? He believes it will happen!!

When Houdini wants to go outside, he does not bark, scratch or draw attention to it like most dogs. He actually does the opposite.

Houdini simply stands in the room and stares at the door. Regardless if there is anyone around or not, he just stands there silently transfixed, staring trance like at the door.

If you come in and ask him “want to go outside (?)”; there is no response. Houdini just stands there and concentrates even harder on the door. He does this to the point where someone (regardless of where you are in the house) will actually feel strangely compelled to go to the door, open it and let him out!! And time is not a factor.

He will stand there for as long as it takes. It is almost as if Houdini is mentally visualizing the door opening, his going through it, and then mentally projecting his image out into the world.

I can see my old Psychology Professors shaking their heads over this one, and yes, I do know better. Animals such as Houdini do not have “psychic powers” or “mental reasoning abilities” or even “a mind as we know it.”

However, as someone who has studied animal conditioning, behavioral sciences and personally trained dozens of animals from doves to Bengal tigers I can tell you this; it looks like something magical is happening here.

Houdini may not be aware of it but he is actively demonstrating some of the key behaviors that anyone who has achieved “what at first seems impossible” knows. This knowledge is the real secret to creating “Real Magic”!

1) Know what it is you want to have happen. Be very clear about your end result and actually visualize it happening.

2) Believe that it will happen. There are no if, ands or buts; this will become a reality.

3) Be committed to making it happen, no matter what. Get prepared to do whatever it takes and for as long as it will take. Remember there are no unrealistic goals, just unrealistic time lines.

4) Do it, make it happen. Elicit whatever skills and help you need to turn your goals into a reality.

Yes, I know there are those who will say that Houdini’s story is dribble; that this whole door thing is just coincidence, fantasy or a dog gone, self fulfilling prophecy. To others its just fun to imagine and think about.

All I know is that there is magic in believing no matter who you are, and we are not reminded enough about this!

Please keep in mind that almost everything we take for granted today, was at one time impossible. Also, remember to look for the magic in the simplest things; it’s just waiting to be discovered. Dare to dream, smile and make magic happen! Create your own magic!

Remember Real Magic can happen only when people believe in themselves and are passionate about making a difference in their own life and the lives of others! Have focus! Be passionate about what you do! Create your own real magic!!

PS: I have to go now. Houdini is staring at the door.

A REAL HAT TRICK

The Real Inside Secret Of The Rabbit From A Hat Trick!

Quite often the actual history of the “art of magic” is more deceptive than the illusions it creates. A perfect example of this is the “rabbit out of a hat trick”.

This particular illusion is probably the one most thought of illusion when talking about a magician’s tricks. And yet how many of us have actually seen this trick performed?

I have been in the magic business most of my life and can only recall seeing this done maybe once or twice. However even more bizarre is this trick’s “origin” and the power in the real life lessons it teaches.

It all begins in merry old England with this recorded tale.

“Some time in the late summer of 1726, Mary Toft, the wife of a charcoal burner living near Guildford, one day returned home to pour out to her husband Joshua, a distressing story that whilst coming through the forest she had been assaulted by a huge white rabbit. Some time later, following the development of the usual symptoms, the local physician Dr. Howard attended her and later certified the delivery of a number of white rabbits.

Not unnaturally, her notoriety spread far and wide and it was even rumored that the King, George II was considering the question of a pension for her. So gullible were the people of this time that it needed little else but audacity to trick one's way into fame and wealth.

Possibly in an endeavor to hasten the decision on a Royal Bounty, Mary announced a further event of a similar nature. Sir Richard Maningham, Physician to the Court, was not at all happy with the situation and had the lady conveyed to London and placed under the strictest supervision. Eventually, Mary Toft was brought before the Courts on trial, charged as a common cheat. Evidence was produced that the girl in question had attempted to bribe attendants to smuggle to her the rodent animal.

A confession was obtained from the prisoner but there appears to be no record as to the method by which the woman duped both the attendant midwife and then the local practitioner.

At the time, a magician in the City whose name unfortunately is not recorded advertised in the Broadsheets that at his entertainment the following day he would produce his latest illusion, "The Birth of a Rabbit". The announcement brought him a packed house.

In the course of the program, the performer borrowed from a spectator a tall hat, then much favored by fashionable people and, having shown it empty, produced alive and kicking, a large white rabbit. The effect was an instant success and as is so often the case, was immediately copied by other conjurers.

From that moment, right down to the present time, magicians have been producing bunnies from hats.”

Source - Will Ayling - Author, Magician and MIMC.

I love this story, not only because of (if you pardon the pun) the tale itself, but also because of the three important lessons it teaches about being successful in life and business.

Lesson number one – “learn to see normal things in unusual ways”!

If you want to come up with creative, simple solutions to complicated problems develop a knack to see life and things in a completely new way.

Obviously Mary Toft’s story is a great example of this, but so is the use of the Top Hat! Our magician did not use a “magic box” on a dimly lighted stage to create the bunny.

Instead he borrowed a gentleman’s top hat, which was the common fashion at the time, to make the magic happen. The use of a “regular, every day hat” to produce magic of this type was unheard of back then. The end result was an iconic creation of a magic trick that has endured for hundred of years. Mike Yurosek also knew this secret. Mike Yurosek?

Mike is the “think outside of the carrot patch” carrot farmer that created the packaged “baby carrots” that we now all enjoy. Tired of seeing regular carrots tossed out because they were twisted, bent or broken, he created a way to repackage them into the perfect 2-inch minis that have taken off as THE nutritious snack. Just like our magician, Mike learned to see normal things in an unusual way. How can you use this in what you do?

Lesson number two – “learn to ask the question how can I make this work for me?”

Our magician took Mary Toft’s unique story, and publicity it was generating, and made it work to his benefit. His advertisement of the new illusion “The Birth Of A Rabbit” drew people’s interest and created packed houses all because he asked “how can I make this work for me”? Bill Gates also knew this secret.

Having Bill look at Apple Computer’s, people friendly, operating system and asking how can I make this work for me created much of Microsoft’s initial success. He created Windows for PC’s and the rest was history. What can you create by asking this question?

And finally lesson number three – “emotion sells!”

In life EVERYONE buys with emotion and justifies with logic. This applies to buying goods, services, and into ideas and beliefs. In order to entice people and get them to take action you have to appeal to their emotions. Our magician understood that the public was emotionally charged with Mary Toft’s story, and so by appealing to their curiosity and interest he got them to buy a ticket to his show. Mother Teresa also knew this secret.

Throughout her life Mother Teresa was a tireless advocate for the poor and helpless, who was able to use the power of emotion to inspire many others to aid her cause. Countries, politicians and people around the world were sincerely touched, and moved to take action. What can you achieve by touching people’s emotions?

There you have it, three simple actions that were understood by three simple people – a carrot farmer, a computer guy, and a simple nun – and produced “magical results”!

Yes these “ordinary” people were able to influence our entire culture in ways that have touched all our lives. So how can you use this magic in what you do?

Only you can answer that question. But you can achieve remarkable things for you business, your life and the lives of others. It all starts by asking some magical questions and taking action.

Have a vision.
Start seeing normal things in unusual ways.
Ask the question how can I make this work for me?
Remember emotion sells!
Go for it and never give up.

And soon you will be doing more than pulling a rabbit out of the hat. You will be making your own real magic happen!

Remember Real Magic can happen only when people believe in themselves and are passionate about making a difference in their own life and the lives of others! Have focus! Be passionate about what you do! Create your own Real Magic!!

PS: I have to go now. I am practicing this great new trick with our bunny “Chocolate” and an iPod!

WHAT HAPPENS WHEN THE MAGICIAN’S TRICK DOES NOT WORK?

How to turn your MISTAKES into SOLUTIONS, almost like magic!

Questions that always come up once someone discovers my magical background are, “Did you ever have a trick go wrong? What did you do about it?”

Magicians know a lot about making mistakes. We have to, because mistakes and magic do NOT go well together. Yes, I remember my third grade magic teacher Miss Mystic stressing, “Mr. Rossini, please remember, magic and mistakes do not work and play well with each other!”

Think about it. The “art of magic’ is the only entertainment forum that is uniquely damaged by errors and mistakes. It simply is too specific a performance medium.

A dancer could miss a step and the routine would still work. A comedian’s timing could be off and yet the joke could still be funny. A skater can make an error and the routine still a crowd pleaser. A speaker can mess up a line and it’s still a great oration. A singer can even go off key and the song still a hit.

However, with a trick or illusion if you make a mistake - the magic simply stops - the magic does not happen! It’s the very nature of our business. The overall illusion is destroyed, or even worse the secret revealed. Talk about pressure!! It may sound harsh but it is true. So in order to help limit the amount of drastic mistakes made, we have developed the magician’s performance rule #2.

The rule is simply this, “We know the game plan - the audience does not. We know what is supposed to occur and when, but we never reveal this until after it has been successfully achieved.”

Thus if something starts to go wrong there is a strong chance we can detect it long before it becomes visible to the audience and make appropriate changes before the mistake becomes too apparent.

This is not to say that the overall effect does not look or feel slightly off. The end result is that the actual illusion is not blown and we usually can get back in sync with the rest of the performance. And most importantly, the audience forgets about what did not happen. In some cases the changes may even seem like brainstorms and actually work out for the better.

This is what has been called by the entertainment industry as “adlibbing” or “punting”; and contrary to what it may initially sound like, it is actually a carefully thought out and studied process. It has to be our very survival depends upon it!

Now wouldn’t it be beneficial if YOU HAD A TRICK like this that you could use when something starts to go wrong? Believe it or not most of you already do, you just may not be applying it the same way a magician does, day in and day out - one performance after another.

So how does one develop this knack, apply it to their vocation and get good at it? It’s simply a matter of analyzing what YOU do as a show or a performance model.

Start by getting a clear picture of what you want to have happen, and then work backwards to achieve it. Study all the elements that have to go together and how, and then REALLY look at what might or could go wrong in the process. Then simply develop “outs” that you can effectively use at any given point to help alleviate any mistakes.

These “outs” are carefully chosen bits and little modules that are relevant to what you do. They have been developed to the point that you can go to these at a moments notice.

This way you can relax and go on auto pilot if need be. You continue to present while your mind simultaneously searches for the answer to put you back on track. And best of all, when carefully applied, your audience never knows what happened.

The same applies for a sales, marketing or presentation situation whether to a group or one on one. Carefully plan in advance what you want to have happen, and then develop your own “ad lib’s” or “outs”. Really know your three most important presentation aspects - the close - the opening - what builds in the middle, and then develop these interconnected lifesavers.

Now obviously no one is ever going to be able to plan in advance for all contingencies; but the better prepared you are the greater the chance you won’t need to use them.

It starts with knowing your material inside out and really taking the time to develop a performance module (regardless of whether you think of your presentation is a show or not) that you want to have happen.

Great entertainers, speakers, executives, meeting planners, educators, politicians and service people do this all the time. They have their presentations planned well in advance and can move around within their structure to accommodate any changes that come up - AND still have these “ad lib’s” and “punts” in place when needed.

When you put enough of these contingencies into place and develop your performance module to this degree - you come off looking like a magician, or maybe the “super professional” you really are. You are prepared for almost any problems that may come up. You make problems go away! You can make magic happen!!

Remember Real Magic can happen only when people believe in themselves and are passionate about making a difference in their own lives and the lives of others! Have focus! Be passionate about what you do! Create your own real magic!!

PS: I have to go memorize my adlibs for tomorrow!

13 Magical Ways To Be Lucky And Successful In Life!

Success and luck, both operate under the magician’s rule for making magic happen. “Real Magic is nothing more than coming up with simple, effective solutions to complicated problems, and then doing something about it!”

Knowing what it is you want, figuring out how to get it, taking action, seeing if the action is working, and taking more action. In fact I often like to use my SUCCESS acronym - Strategies - Under - Constructive - Change - Equals - Systematic - Success.

And while this concept is easy to understand, it is not always easy to do. In this regard I have put together a list of 13 tools that have helped me in my quests. I claim no originality for these ideas, for everything I have learned has been passed down to me from others.

This list represents some quick and simple observations on how to make this “successful and lucky” magic happen in our own life and the lives of others.

1 – Remember every problem contains and suggests its own solution. Develop a knack for seeing problems for what they really are – roadmaps to luck and life.

2 – In the race of life it is not how often we fall, but how often and how fast we get back up. Yes we all make mistakes, but the real trick is to get back on your quest as soon as possible, and to keep going.

3 – It takes negative energy to frown and positive energy to smile – so smile and smile often. Bottom line “smiling” reduces stress, uses less energy, and makes you look and feel better. And it is contagious, so pass it on.

4 – Don’t ever be afraid to ask for help or to ask for what you want. Anything is possible if you dare to ask.

5 – Success is a journey, not a destination. Reward achievements, but then get up and go after your next success. Lady luck will only embrace a moving target.

6 – When you lose – don’t lose the lesson. They say the difference between a “master” and a “beginner” is that the master has made many more mistakes, but has also learned from them. Become your own master of life’s lessons.

7 – Make “someday” – today. Don’t wait 20 years to laugh at something that went wrong or achieve what seems a far off goal. Dare something worthy today!

8 – Strive to become a person of value, not worth. Remember that in life the more you give – the more you will receive.

9 – Seek first to understand, then to be understood. Strive to really listen and understand another’s point of view, then seek to have your point understood from their frame of reference. Mastering this skill alone can move mountains.

10 – Every day above ground is a great day. In life everything, EVERYTHING can be replaced except time. Make the most of your time while in this world!

11 – Never, ever be afraid to try something new. Only when we try something new can we really experience the opportunity of growth. What new thing can you try today?

12 – Live a life of honour, love and respect. You not only will positively influence others to do the same. You will also be able to look back on your life in later years and really enjoy it a second time around.

13 – Remember to believe in MAGIC! That anything you can imagine can be achieved. You only need to want to make it happen badly enough.

Well there you have it, 13 thoughts on how to live a life of luck and success. Put them to work and who knows what “magic” you can create.

Remember Real Magic is nothing more than coming up with simple, effective solutions to complicated problems, and then doing something about it! But Real Magic can happen only when people believe in themselves and are passionate about making a difference in their own life and the lives of others! Have focus! Be passionate about what you do! Create your own real magic!

PS: I hope some of these techniques will be as lucky and successful for you as they have been for me!

THE MAGIC CHRISTMAS GIFT!

Real Magic Can Happen When You Least Expect It!

It was a typical first Saturday of December in Toronto. The air was cold and brisk, and I was overworked, stressed out, cold, cranky, and very, very tired. It was all from the almost impossible schedule of performances and appearances that fate had dealt me. However, the event that was about to transpire in the next thirty minutes would miraculously change all that.

Yes, this magical event would turn a typical Saturday morning into an unforgettable, emotional memory that would quite probably last a lifetime.

Every year during the Christmas Season, once many of my regular presentations are booked, I look for ways to use my magic to help others less fortunate. It could be performing close up magic at a hospital, performing at a charity Christmas Party, or making Santa magically appear at a special event. The possibilities are endless.

And while every year I try to help as many worthy causes as possible, it is never as many as I would like it to be. Also due to the nature of my work, sometimes these plans need to be somewhat shifted at the last minute. Such was the unpleasant case this Saturday morning, or at least so I thought.

I had made arrangements to help the Rotary Club with their annual Christmas Party in support for some Easter Seal’s families. It was not an overly complicated production on my end, simply providing some close up walk about magic (something I still love to do on occasion) for an hour or so. However a change in a prior pre-scheduled event had suddenly changed my timing for their event. And as earnestly as I had tried to find a last minute replacement, it was just not possible.

My Rotarian friend who had gotten me involved told me it really was not a problem; many events had been scheduled. However I still felt bad.

Somehow, I thought to myself, if I hurried at the other function and traffic was on my side; I might at least be able to do twenty minutes or so of magic for the early bird arrivals. So I crossed my fingers, said a silent prayer and rushed.

That morning I must had been blessed. I made it just in time to both my own, and my Rotary friend’s, surprise. And as the guests arrived, with one of my eyes carefully fixed on my watch, I was able to perform for many who were starting to arrive. Together we had a great time of magic, fun and surprises. That was until I met him.

He was about ten or so years old and sitting quietly in his wheel chair, surrounded by his family and friends. He was looking around at all the goings on, in what seemed to be, an eager anticipation of how he might get involved. Together we were about to change all that.

I approached him smiling and starting into a magical routine; having a small red ball appear from his ear, vanish, and then come out of his sleeve. His eyes widened brightly and a great smile appeared on his face.

Yes the sleight of hand worked its magic as it got him involved in the fun. But this in no way prepared me for the magic that was about to follow.

Finally I asked him his name. His mother replied that he did not speak. However I can tell you that even without the use of words, his eyes, his smile and his spirit communicated so much more. So together we spent a few more minutes making magic happen.

When the time was right, I wished him a Merry Christmas and prepared to move on; but he suddenly motioned for me to move in closer. I accommodated him, thinking he wanted me to repeat my performance. However what he did was quite different.

My new friend reached out, threw his arms around me and hugged me tightly; giving me an incredible “thank you” that I could feel in my very soul. He hugged me so tightly and yet so tenderly it brought a tear to both his mother’s and my own eyes. It was an indescribable moment of “real magic”.

He eventually did let go and I again, misty eyed, wished him a most Merry Christmas. However the magic of his heart and soul has stayed with me even to this day.

And to think this magic may not have occurred unless somehow we had come together at that precise moment. Yes sometimes God and fate work in very mysterious ways.

This is the real magic of Christmas; the caring, the sharing, and the taking of time for others that truly matter.

My Christmas wish for you is that you too will get the opportunity to share this magical spirit with those you care about. And to be thankful of how blessed our lives are in comparison to many.

P. S. From my family to yours Merry Christmas!

WAND, JAMES WAND

A Magical Motivators take on the hidden, magical secrets of Ian Fleming.

"...Bond, James Bond." That line was first spoken by actor Sean Connery in the original James Bond Movie Dr. No. The year was 1962. Since that time it has been uttered by 6 other actors, and in well over 20 featured length films. (Making it the longest running movie franchise of all time.)

In fact according to the Guiness Book Of Films it is the #1 most recognized movie quote of all time. Yes, even beating out movie classics from Casablanca and Gone With The Wind.

And apparently over half of the world's population has heard of James Bond. Not bad at all for a fictional character first penned by author Ian Fleming in 1952.

If you have not guessed it by now, I am a James Bond fan. I have seen every movie at least once, and many more than 3 or 4 times.

In fact one of my best Christmas presents of all time was a 007 Spy Briefcase I received when I was boy. It featured all the James Bond gadgets including a special spy decoder I still treasure to this day.

I have also extended this "spy fascination" into the magic that I do. I created a character James Wand who was a "magical spy" in a number of illusion vignettes. And today one of our specialty shows is a "spy illusion show" called ESCAPE - A Behind The Scenes Look At The Magic Of A Secret Agent Training School!

But to me, there is a further "hidden magic" to 007's appeal.

No, it's not the fancy gadgets, the beauties or bullets. Nor is it the fast cars, glamorous locations or extravagant lifestyle. To me there is a deeper fascination.

To me James Bond’s real magic is HOW he makes his magic happen. The answer?

He thinks and acts like the ultimate magician! He understands what is needed to make the impossible, possible.

First, he knows that nothing is impossible. He understands that real magic is nothing more than coming up with simple effective solutions to complicated problems, and then taking action.

He visualizes his mission's end result and then takes the necessary steps to achieve that result, just the way a magician creates a piece of magic, by working backwards.

Every piece of the puzzle is put together in the proper sequence until the final picture / secret mission / illusionist's magic are achieved.

He also knows to watch what he is doing very carefully. He monitors his results and if what he is doing is not working, he will try something else. And if that doesn’t work, he will try something else. But he will stay with it until he achieves his end goal.

Next, he is a firm believer in the magician's creed, that "every problem contains and suggests it’s own solution".

How many times have we seen 007 in an impossible situation ö definitely no way out? And then he uses one little piece of the environment or situation to give himself the upper hand and turn the tables on the villain.

Sure in some of the later films there could be some pretty amazing gadgets involved, but more often than not it was the James Bond's mindset that Ian Fleming created that was responsible for saving the day.

And finally, James Bond never, ever, ever gives up, and definitely strives at being the best at what he does.

He knows to learn the basic skills needed to do his job, and he has made great effort to master these skills. His has passionately mastered weapons, social skills and himself in a same way a magician masters sleight of hand, presentation skills and mindset.

And he continually feeds this passion.

So how can you apply this to what you do?

Use the same magic formula.

1. Create a vision of the end result you want to achieve, no matter how impossible it may seem. And make it as detailed as possible. Then fill in the blanks with simple actions needed to make you vision real. Study your actions, and change and tweak them as necessary to get you closer to your end result.

2. Remember that every problem contains and suggests it's own solution. The obstacles that stand in your way truly do contain the answers to lead you in the right direction. Take a negative aspect of something that you currently see as a limiting element, and imagine it to instead be empowering. How can this element work to your benefit to achiever your goal?

3. And finally, remember to go after your dreams with passion. Take the time to learn the basics of what you need to do, and passionately master these skills. Become the best at what you do. Stay the course when things get bad and then passionately move on again toward your dream.

Apply this to your life, your vocation, your work and you too can become the James Bond of your vision. You can use Ian Fleming's secrets to make your own Real Magic happen.

Real Magic is nothing more than coming up with simple, effective solutions to complicated problems, and then doing something about it! But Real Magic can happen only when people believe in themselves and are passionate about making a difference in their own life and the lives of others! Have focus! Be passionate about what you do! Create your own real magic!

PS: I have to go know. I am taking my wife to see Casino Royale with Daniel Craig as 007. I hear it is fantastic!

HALLOWEEN MAGIC

Three Spooky, Magical Lessons For Life And Business!

For those of you who may not know me that well, I have a confession to make. I have an addiction. It's an addiction I have had for many years now, and it is not getting any easier to deal with. In fact it seems to have gotten a lot worse.

It’s not that I have not tried to ignore it. It is that I just can’t. And to make matters worse it seems my daughter is starting to develop the same addiction. It is an addiction to·

Halloween! Yes ever year when October rolls around my pulse increases and a ghoulish grin appears on my face. I find myself more and more fantasizing about Halloween night and the trick and treaters that will venture into my Haunted Backyard.

It started out fifteen plus years ago as a couple of mannequins with scary masks on my front lawn. Now it’s a month long preparatory process that stretches out over a quarter of an acre in our backyard, high up on the Niagara escarpment. It could only be described as Walt Disney meets the Blair Witch!

There are now dozens of different spooky, Halloween scenes featuring dozens of full size monsters, skeletons, ghouls and goblins. Here smoke machines, industrial lighting, robotics, live actors and special effects combine with a natural, eerie forest setting, theatrics and “twentieth century sorcery” to create a unique, magical experience.

And now my ten-year old daughter Jacqueline, who helps me in the set up, is so hooked on this that she would rather be home scaring others than out trick and treating. Well almost.

And as much as I enjoy the real fun and theatrics of this “SPOOKTACULAR event”, it has reinforced some powerful lessons about people, life and business.

The first lesson is that of the power and careful creation of the WOW experience!

One of the greatest emotions a magician can experience is when their magic makes an audience go “WOW” or “Oh My God”! It is an amazing feeling that one cannot describe, only experience.

And every year this is WOW experience is something that I work very hard to create for my Haunted Backyard guests.

But best of all, this WOW experience is a strategic technique that once learned and mastered can be applied to anything and any business.

The three-part magical formula is this, “give your audience much more than they ever expected, in a completely unexpected way, and without any extra effort on their part”!

So how can you apply this to what you do?

What add on to what you do and your service would make your customers really go “WOW” or “I DON’T BELIEVE IT”! Take it to the next level. And really take your audience by surprise with it. Do your phenomenal “great service” but then add even more. Make it in no way predictable or expectant on their part.

Then make this happen without any extra effort on your audience’s part. Let your audience truly enjoy this experience in a completely unrestrictive way and without any associated hassles, decision or worries.

But be warned! What is WOW the first time can quickly become THAT’S NICE the next time. Thus an incredible “add on” becomes “the expected”. The only way around this is to constantly be aware of the process, and constantly be seeking more ways to add value. And the rewards are worth it.

In my case, it’s more and different Halloween vignettes each and every year. I make it unpredictable and keep everyone guessing as to what might happen.

The second lesson I have learned is the incredible power of asking the magic question “HOW CAN I USE THIS IN WHAT I DO?” This applies both on the creative side and the practical side.

On the creative side, I am always constantly searching the web, watching horror and sci-fi shows, and life in general for ways to add scary effects to my backyard. When I see some piece of visual magic or an emotional frightening reaction that really stands out, I immediately ask myself how can I use this in my backyard? Almost always the answer is pure gold.

On the practical side, I am always on the look out for machines, technology and “things” that might be applied in the actual construction of my Halloween set up. And strangely enough usually the purpose that I use these devices for, is not the original purpose they were designed for.

So how can you apply this creativity to your business? Well only you can answer that.

But the next time you use a zip lock bag realize the creativity magic involved. The concept of a “zipper in clothing” reborn in the food freshness industry was pure magic. Prior to that it was all twist ties. All because someone asked “how can I use this in my business”?

Yes there is real magic in asking and learning from “how can I use this?”

And finally, don’t forget the basics. Don’t get so caught up in the day-to-day grind that you lose sight of the real magic of what you do. Or even worse, don’t go so over board in the bells and whistles that you lose sight of what you are supposed to do.

Every year I end up constructing only a small fraction of the Halloween effects I dream up. I just run out of time and resources. And that’s fine, because it is not the number of effects I produce but the quality. And that’s what truly makes it memorable.

And I also learned the important lessons years ago that nothing beats an actor with a mask jumping out of the blue and yelling “BOO”, and that the point of my Haunted Backyard was to create “good fun” in a scary, but not terrified way. After all my audience will not come back if they do not enjoy themselves.

So there you have it, some magical insights that I use not just in my job, but in my Haunted Backyard as well!

Apply these magical lessons to what you do and you will soon hear your audience go “WOW” and will be well on your way to creating a powerful experience, a magical memory, a phenomenal referral, a life long friend and customer, and making Real Magic happen!

Remember Real Magic can happen only when people believe in themselves and are passionate about making a difference in their own life and the lives of others! Have focus! Be passionate about what you do! Create your own real magic!

PS: If you are in the area on Halloween night please drop in! You might just be in for an entertaining scare.