I’m taking August off. To ensure you get your weekly dose of Heppellisms I plan to send you four of my favourite newsletters from the last 10 years. 

This one goes right back to something that happened in 1994.

What Paul Daniels taught me about confidence

[first published 18^th March 2016]

In 1994, surrounded by dozens of professional magicians at the Blackpool Magic Convention, I nervously performed my trick in front of the legendary Paul Daniels.

It was my version of the classic Coins Through The Table with a very special 'kicker' ending.

He loved it, gave a whoop and led the applause.

Afterwards, he asked for my business card and said he would pass it on to the producers of the Paul Daniels’ Magic Show. I didn’t have a card and with genuine consideration, he offered, ‘You should Michael, you’re good’.

I don't believe I would ever have been asked on the show and maybe he was just being kind. [Note: It was cancelled later that year 🙁].

But that day he gave me buckets of confidence and the fun, short-lived ‘career’ of Magic Michael was born.

I’m sure he knew how the trick was done.
 

I’m certain he could have performed it a hundred times better than me.

And I know he knew there were fifty other starry-eyed magicians who wanted to meet the great wizard.

Yet he took 5 minutes to make me feel special.

Performing magic gave me the confidence to present, the ability to deal with crowds and a dozen skills which I still use today.

Paul Daniels taught me loads about magic and oodles about stage presence and performing - but the real gift he gave was a bundle of confidence.

Here’s a challenge for you. Take 5 minutes today to give someone a confidence boost and make them feel special.

They’ll like it – and quite a lot.

Please take but a moment to leave a comment here.

Be Brilliant!