By Dominic Reyes

Many magicians feel nervous before they start performing their magic tricks. Here's 5 Tips to help you gain more confidence.

Magic isn't just about the method of the trick, it's also about being a confidant magician. Even the best sleight of hand expert can struggle to entertain people with the magic that they have spent years learning. Good magic is as much about the performer as it is about the magic tricks. Being relaxed, presentable and communicating a positive attitude is very important. Even today, after many years of performing magic professionally, I still sometimes feel magicians nerves just before I start performing. It's usually when there is something unusual about the gig. I take my time and wander around the event for a few minutes, getting a feel for the venue and the situation. After a short tour of the room, I move up to my first group of spectators and find I relax as soon as I start performing. Getting ready to perform doesn't start at that moment. There are things you can do whilst setting up for your show, or getting your props ready for a close up session. Let's look at a few things you can easily do before you perform your magic:

 

1) Breath, Relax, Meditate.

Suffering from nervousness before you perform can get in the way of your presentation, but it can also reduce your ability to perform sleight of hand. If you are stressed and unsure, your muscles will also be tense and that's not good for your performance.  Take a few moments to stop and breath. Slow breaths in and out can really help you to relax. Breath in through your nose and out through your mouth. Count your breaths slowly as you do this, counting to ten and then returning back to 1 again. As you do this, try to focus only on your breathing. As your mind wanders, gently return your attention back to your breath.

Many performers also find that a simple visualisation can help. As you breathe out, imagine all the fear, negativity and doubt being breathed out along with the breath. As you breath in, imagine confidence and positivity are slowing flowing into you via your breath. Repeat this for a few minutes and see how it makes you feel.

2) Use a affirmation.

Lift both arms up into the air, as if you are running through the finish line in a race. Say to yourself

 'I feel fantastic, and everyone will love my magic.'

You will be surprised about how this makes you feel. There is a lot of research in publication about positive affirmation and posture to gain confidence.

3) Laugh and smile.

Before you perform to your first group of spectators, take a moment to tell  yourself a joke, or remember something that made you laugh. Bookmark a  few websites that have funny memes or stories that you can read just  before the show. Laugh and remember that feeling and keep it with you as you start your show.

Remember to be smiling as you perform. Even if you are focused on the mechanics or the situation around you, remember to keep a happy expression. You need to communicate that you are having a great time, so that those around you do the same.

4) Act energy.

You may be tired, stressed from traveling, or feeling a little ill, but you should not show it. If you feel tired and have no energy, fake it! You become how you act. Bound up a few steps to the entrance to the room, check the mirror before you walk in. Imagine feeling fantastic and full of energy and you will really feel it.  

5) Be playful

Remember that it's really not that significant. You aren't a brain surgeon, you  have nobody's life in your hands. It's just a bit of fun and entertainment for everyone. Nobody is taking is as seriously as you do yourself, after all your years of practice and angst. If something goes wrong, the whole room isn't going to stop and point at the door for you to leave. In reality, you can just shrug it off and carry on. Don't give yourself a hard time. Once of the most common reactions from magic students that do their first live gig, is a sense that it was all worry over nothing.

I hope this helps you

Dominic Reyes