Hi my friends,
This is getting serious!
One of the complaints I get most often from students: “I don’t have enough time to practice!” Or, “I’m addicted to Facebook!”
Many years ago I made a healthy choice. I pulled the plug on TV watching. It was in 1979 when I left home to move to NYC to study and perform. I could not even afford cable TV back then, so I could not have a TV even if I wanted one! I really feel that one of the big secrets to my success has been how I have chosen to limit my time watching TV & social media.
SCARY FACT! “According to Nielsen, the average American watches about five hours of TV per day… perhaps that is what makes them average!”
“Kill your TV” was a slogan in my high school days…I took that action and it gave me more time to take classes, read books, and meet great people and performers, I went to shows, and I watched no TV! To this day, I do not own a TV with incoming reception. I do, however, have a computer, and these days I have to be more and more disciplined about how much time I spend at the computer!
Today we are all glued to our computers and devices. They are hand held miracles. Even as I type this I’m connected to all the knowledge I can google. But I’m just a click away from immense distraction. Many of us waste our valuable creative, practice and rehearsal time, and we can get lost in the world of Facebook, Pinterest, Tweeting and YouTube clips. In today’s “social networking world,” we need to set serious limits on the amount of time we spend online or we can watch our practice and rehearsal time vanish.
Are you a FACEBOOKÂ addict?
Catherine Paddock, Phd., writes a very interesting article that explores this topic. She reports that researchers in Norway have published a psychological scale to measure Facebook addiction; the first of its kind worldwide.
The Bergen Facebook Addiction Scale
Scoring “often” or “very often” on at least four of the six items may suggest the respondent is addicted to Facebook.
CLICK HERE to read the full article.
CLICK HERE for some helpful tips on how you can limit your social media time and get back to real life!
HOW ABOUT SOME SOLUTIONS?
“Social media is one of the biggest ways to waste time and you can do it effortlessly. If you have a lot to do, the temptation to procrastinate on Twitter can ruin your best efforts. When self-discipline fails, there’s an app for that.”
– Alicia French
* To read about Alicia’s strategies, CLICK HERE.
* To learn how to TAKE BACK YOUR DAY, CLICK HERE.
READ SOME GREAT MAGIC INSTEAD OF TV OR FACEBOOK
THE SKILLED MAGICIAN- have you met “BUTZI?” He has been a regular contributor to THE SECRET ARTS JOURNAL, and also to our online school’s weekly show, MYSTERY SCHOOL MONDAY. He is a creator of magic effects and ideas. Take a look at his new essay “Have-A- Drink”
Butzi is dangerously talented! He is a “skilled magician” and he can show you what skills you are missing and how to find them! Really! take a look and meet him
https://facebook.com/theskilledmagician/
Butzi also turned me onto a good book that teaches skills on how to effectively use social media instead of being consumed by it.
http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17383989-jab-jab-jab-right-hook
When I watch Joel Grey and Liza Minelli in CABARET, I remember how much this movie influenced the creation of WONDERGROUND. 3:25 is my favorite part!
Every time we take our final bows..it feels like CABARET!
WONDERGROUND NEWS!Â
“THE CENTER OF THE LAS VEGAS MAGIC COMMUNITY”
THURSDAY APRIL 21ST Â is our next WONDERGROUND.
Doors will open at 7:30pm at The Olive, located at 3850 East Sunset Rd., Las Vegas, NV. There is a $20 admission. ONLY $10 for locals. The best deal in Vegas!
The Early Stage show begins at 8:00 pm. The Close Up show starts at 9:00 pm. The Late Stage show begins promptly at 10:00 pm. Please arrive at least 30 minutes prior to ensure seating for the shows.Â
3 GREAT SHOWS!
7:30 PM Christian and Randilyn Hosts
Strolling magic with Miguel
Allen Scott and Mon Dre
8PMÂ Will Bradshaw MC
NWR
Chuck Crespo – Comedy with  Magic
Taliesin – Celtic Conjuring
Tim Wise – A Magical Storyteller
Draven – A magic lesson
Jarol Martin – Master of Manipulation
9PMÂ BAR MAGIC AND CLOSE UP:
Tim and Scott at the “WonderBar”
At the Diamond Close up table: special Guest-Mondre
10PM Tim Wise MC
NWR
Jarol Martin – Illuminations!
Will Bradshaw – Magic with Music
Rene Delgadillo – Salsa magic
Draven – A Dream of Magic
Stoil and Ekaterina – Quick Change Magic
PLUS:Â Bar Magic with Zack Pattee and Scott Steelfyre, Iam Creed, and Randilyn. Photography with Sheryl Garrett. The NWR-Tribal Belly Dance Troupe, Psychic Sideshow with Alan Scott, live art with Areeya and Suzanne and many more surprises and special celebrity guests!!
So shut off your Facebook, and come join us LIVE in Vegas at a class or WONDERGROUND event! Life is a Cabaret!
see you in the real world,
Jeff