What do you love?

“It was impossible to get a conversation going, everybody was talking too much.”
— Yogi Berra

Greetings friends.

Read the following and you will never again have to wear this label!

Today, I will share a couple of the life lessons I’ve learned while traveling the world for the past 40 years.

This month I’m in Germany and the UK touring. As a traveling performer, I meet thousands of people a year. Often I am in rather awkward situations, where I am “in charge” of the conversation, and responsible for making small talk. If you have ever been in this situation, you know it can be hell!

“Anyone who thinks the art of conversation is dead ought to tell a child to go to bed.”
— Robert C. Gallagher

Q. What do you say to people that you have never met to ‘break the ice?’
A. What do you love? Simply ask people about what they love! It works!

Here are a few icebreakers that I use when I am traveling.

• What is exciting you these days?
• Who do you look up to? Who inspires you?
• What is the best piece of advice you’ve received? (This is one I ask on cruise ships to successful retired people)
• What do your parents do for a living?
• What is your biggest regret? (live and learn!)
• What is your most embarrassing moment?  (OY! this is a GREAT one and next time you see me in person, ask me for my ‘most embarrassing moment!’)
• What is the craziest thing you’ve ever done? (get ready to be SHOCKED!)
• What are some of your short-term goals?
• What are some of your long-term goals?
• Where do you see yourself 5 years from now?

You can read a few more at of these “ice-breakers” here http://www.conversationstarters.com/

Just remember a few of the questions above, and you will be well prepared the next time you are seated at a boring dinner party next to strangers! You can thank me later!

“The great gift of conversation lies less in displaying it ourselves than in drawing it out of others.”
— Jean de la Bruyere

SHOW BIZ TYPES LOVE APPLAUSE… BE HONEST, DO YOU LOVE THE SOUND OF APPLAUSE?

As performers, we love it when audiences applaud… but what is it about the sound of applause that we love? Recently I watched this video and was surprised by the answers. You will be too!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZD037VSAG2I

“My advice to you concerning applause is this: Enjoy it, but never quite believe it.” 
— Samuel Lover

Do you ever feel funny when you’re sitting in the audience and you were the first to clap?

Do you have a fear of clapping?
http://modernservantleader.com/servant-leadership/be-the-first-to-applaud/

TRAVEL TIP #17: THE THEFT PROOF BAG.

Here is a very good solution for magicians who are getting there act stolen these days.
http://www.wimp.com/technologyfrom/

WHAT IS NEW IN MAGIC?
JEFF SHOWS HOW TO CHANGE A SILK INTO A SERPENT

http://virtual.magicalwisdom.com/lessons/view/59

Las Vegas WONDERGROUND NEWS!

Bravo to the WONDERGROUND players! We made the FRONT page of The Las Vegas Review Journal!
Great photos and story! Hats off to you, my friends, for 5 great years of magic and community!
http://www.reviewjournal.com/view/whitney/wonderground-variety-show-offers-gamut-performers

FEATURED WONDERGROUND PERFORMER: BUSTER BALLOON!

The Buster Balloon Show is an inflatable extravaganza of vaudevillian entertainment featuring the human cartoon character that is Buster Balloon. A wild and wacky mix of side-splitting comedy, mind boggling magic, and the most amazingly twisted balloon creations you have ever seen.  And did we mention The Giant 6 Foot Whoopee Cushion of Doom?

http://acmeballooncompany.com/

THIS MONTH’S LINE UP IS OFF THE HOOK! Feb 20th ONE NIGHT ONLY!

Buster Balloon, Luna Shimada, David Gabbay, Iam Creed, Jason Andrews, Tim Wise, Leo Diaz, Christian Diamond , Bizzaro, David Groves, Jungle Josh, Bijan the Magician, Polly Morfus, NWRDancers, Live art by Areeya Maria, Tarot by Morganne, body art by Suzanne Lugano, and more!

Looking for Inspiration?

Mystery School Monday:  We were the first in the world to offer online magic classes, Skype classes, and our famous “LOCKED ROOM” sessions. Learn more at:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5-gGVYytoxM

You can become a member of our online school by registering here:

http://virtual.magicalwisdom.com/members/signup

Have a fantastic February and I will see you online or on tour!

Your friend in the art of magic,
Jeff

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