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i have had recent trouble overcoming nervousness and i dont think i have a lot of confiedence in my magic. i know im pretty good because i practice it a ton. does anyone have any tips?

Perform.

A lot.

For a lot of people (at least five).

After I got a decent foundation in deception, I just went around school after class showing people stuff.

The only trick i use to overcome bad stress is kinda easy.

Find a moment or somewhere in your life where you had a great performance or a lot of pleasure, it doesnt really matter if its relate to your career as long as its please you to think of it.

The seconds before i go forward to meet my audience i think of this beautifull day i had and how everything went well. I remember all the good things then i step ahead and with a positive taught i engage the conversation.

If you have seen Peter Pan with robin Williams, its the same way they use to fly and make the most wonderfull and tastefull banquet appear from nowhere.

I doubt you'll learn to fly this way tho! LOL

We all get nervous from time to time, it's just the nature of performing for an audience. For me, the nerves are always in my hands. They shake a bit, and I sometimes get that feeling of dread, where I might just fumble through something.

The best way I've found to get over this is to place something that I know through and through as an opener. It doesn't have to be technically demanding - but it does need to be strong. Your audience either loves you or hates you in the first precious moments. If you don't snag them right then and there, you'll chase them the rest of the time.

Once you get that first reaction - you'll notice everything settles down inside. There is nothing more empowering than a group or room full of people being astonished by something you're doing. Once you know they're interested, paying attention - and above all - entertained, you'll see how quickly the nerves go away.

Find an effect/routine that is second nature to you. Something that isn't difficult, but offers a strong effect on an audience. Once you have that, do what sleightlycrazy said and go out and perform!!

Everyone hears the horror stories about hecklers and smart-asses trying to expose you, but it's not as common as some would say. The majority of your audiences want you to succeed - They're rooting for you. Remember that when you step out in front of them. It's not hostile territory. If you approached their table and they showed interest - they want you there. If you're performing a show at a venue - they paid to see what you can do.

I perform to my family sometimes to get over nerves, just do it infront of someone youknow well and can relax around.
People often talk about specs saying "I know how he does that!!" etc.
But haveing done a couple of friends parties now it doesnt really happen.
Just relax and enjoy performing!

Check out the Search function for Nerves, Shaky Hands and so on - there were a few threads earlier this year which gave a lot of useful advice.

sleightlycrazy wrote:Perform.

A lot.

I agree with this. In my opinion it's pretty much the only way you get to overcome nerves.

You can practice til the cows come home (and indeed should practice and then partice more), but until you perform in front of (real) people the nerves will always be there. I speak from my own experience, but talking to other magicians I know I am not alone.

Hopefully once you start performing the adrenalin will kick in, and that combined with the great reactions you get (you do get great reactions right?) will soon make you forget the nerves.

The advice is all correct... and applies not only to magic, but life in general.

In my job over the last 6 years I've been asked to lecture/speak several times at business meetings etc. Having a background from school as being into amateur dramatics, even starring in several situation comedy stage plays at the local music hall, you'd think I'd not be nervous or shy...

But when I first started doing this, I was a timid and yet knowledgeable young lad... uncomfortably wearing a new suit, and talking to a bunch of high-flier management types about why they should be spending money on marketing. I was intimidated by their up-close presence, and I could literally feel the heat of their power rising up to me.

I used to shake, dry up, and literally loose sleep before these things. My 10 minute or 1/2 hour slot would be filled with 'Errr' and 'Ummmm' more than lectures, and I wouldn't cover half of what I'd written in my prep notes or flash cards.

But after a while, once I realised that it was ME who was in the driving seat, being PAID to HELP THEM, I got a bit more confident. MY KNOWLEDGE was valuable to them... I have something they haven't got, and they can benefit from ME.

And now, I take it in my stride. Off with the suit... I now dress far more casually, and I usually run over my allotted time by answering questions.

I get a complete buzz out of it now.

It helps with so many things... including my wedding speech!

So it's true: throw away fear and keep at it. Go for it until it becomes enjoyable—and it will.

Psychologists rank appearing before a group of strangers as the Number One fear that people have.

The best way to combat this is to do it more often. I know that's not the "instant advice" that you want but it's the best that I know of.

And some people NEVER get over it; Sir Laurence Olivier, arguably the greatest stage actor of all time, was physically ill before the went on stage, even in a role he had played hundreds of times.

So it doesn't have to affect your ability to perform!

Peter Marucci wrote:Psychologists rank appearing before a group of strangers as the Number One fear that people have.

This reminds me of the classic Jerry Seinfeld bit about the fear of public speaking being ahead of the fear of death, saying

"that means at a funeral, most people would rather be in the casket than giving the eulogy".

Take a class public speaking. Don't know if you guys have toastmasters. If you do. Get in with them. They can do wonders. Also perform easy stuff to start that way you don't have to concentrate so much on the moves.

I don't have a huge amount of performance experience with respect to magic but I present a lot in my job - everything from small groups to many hundreds of people. Unfortunately, I still get nervous before a presentation even after 12 years of experience. I think over the years you learn to live with it but it is absolutely critical to be well prepared - advice that I'm sure it transferable to performing magic. The only added complication is that you don't need sleight-of-hand when you're presenting and 'shaky hands' is a real pain! I'm hoping that as has previously been said, performing as much as possible is the best cure....

thank you all for your help, i know that this will all help me and a lot of other people out. i know i have to perform a lot, my problem is mostly shakey hands and im afraid i will mess up moves like the "DL".

has anyone messed up on the DL from shakey hands?

but really thanks a lot, today i only did one trick and it went great. it was one of my more simple ones but it went very well and the class loved it. it does give you a good feeling but next i gotta do a DL move and i really need to keep my hands steady lol.

Yes, I've messed things up with shakey hands, usually dropping cards, or knocking things over. Demitri is correct - the best thing I have found for nerves is to start with something surefire, maybe a self worker that you know you're unlikely to get wrong.

If you normally do card tricks, for example, start with a self-working packet trick or something similar. I always start with my Zombie Ball or Unequal/Equal Ropes, because I know them both inside out, and can do them blindfolded.

As Demitri says, after you get your first round of applause for your first trick, the nerves soon disappear. The only other tip I can give you, like the others, is practise more, and perform in front of more people.

i would start with a trick that i cant get wrong but i only do one a week. so im just going to have to learn them inside out i guess?