New blog is UP! In this blog, I’m listing seven bad habits to avoid as a magician. Have you done anything on the list?

https://bit.ly/2P1jOBt

I wouldn't mind seeing your next post be "more bad habits..." as I think you've just scratched the surface. You also avoided being insulting or condescending

I'm curious how you feel about magicians using the very often heard, "thousands of hours in my mother's basement as a teen", line after pulling off a successful flourish, stunt, or even something basic. I ask because you allude to confidence. Confident people shouldn't have to apologize for doing something great should they?

And I weight shift. I wish I didn't.

That one you mentioned with the jargon is a big pet peeve of mine. Way back in the day, I learned a lot from Henry Hay's Amateur Magician's Handbook. One of the first things he talks about in the card magic section is this topic. He says that many times magicians make the gross blunder of mentioning an artifice to prove they are not using it, and by way of example offers that you would certainly not say "Look, no jogs, no breaks and no crimps!" Nine out of ten people do not know such things exist, and the tenth shouldn't be reminded!

And it's not just beginners that do this. All the time I see experienced big name pros who should know better but do it, even on TV. Glad you brought it up!

That's why I wrote the blog Glenn! On national TV, "I didn't force that card on you." SMH!

Regarding weight shifting - It's not always nerves. I constantly shift back and forth because of bad knees. It's a way for me to relieve the pain building up from standing. I have taken to wearing weight lifter's knee braces during performances, which does help relieve the strain. Possibly could help others as well. Runners' compression braces help a little, but the competition style weight lifter's braces support a lot more.

I too cringe whenever I hear someone mentioning the name of a sleight or other deceptive technique. It's right up there with over proving with phrases like, "A perfectly normal deck of cards." Which is why I only use lines like "perfectly normal" with objects that are clearly unusual.

Can I do a trick for you using this... a totally ordinary, non magical, deck of cards?

...that you can't look at or touch or even think about having immediately after the effect.

Spectator: but you said it was totally normal.
magician: (not making eye contact) Let me now call your attention to these totally normal coins that predate the birth of Christ.

"Thoroughly shuffled deck of cards, every card is different."

"Your name is Amy? My sister's name is Amy..."

"I say shiffle cause I can't say shuffle."

Some of the top (won't mention names) performers actually close their eyes
when executing a sleight or move..extremely irritating habit to
fall into...

Do you know why they do this? Im assuming guilt.

Or, perhaps self-deception. It can be a symptom of too much practice in front of a mirror.

"Was I flashing that move? Let's take a look in the mirror. Nope; it's all good."

Its a scarf or a handkerchief, never a silk!

I agree that "wobbly weight shifting" for no reason is bad, but Jeff Copeland uses (and teaches) the shifting of your weight as you pretend to catch a coin in an empty hand. It is less "nervous shifting" and more "acting" for affect.

This...“Go off script and interact with your spectator when they contribute to the conversation.“

Thanx Jason! Eye contact is SO important. Something my wife reminded me of. It's not only engaging the audience, but also a very important part of misdirection away from your hands. I'm also, like atomic111, looking for a part 2 of bad habits. Lynn

In "The 5 Points of Magic", Juan Tamariz discusses the importance of "Crossing the Gaze" It is powerful stuff. I really like that book even though it is a "smaller" book. Sooooo much info neatly crammed into so few pages. I would consider it mandatory reading.

Using the word "Awesome" too much.

You are correct Neznarf. An asteroid colliding with a planet is awesome. Having the spectator hand you back a Sharpie is not.