![]() With my coaching clients, I am sometimes asked what my best Business Advice is for someone starting a new business. There are two things that I tell them: 1. Never stop learning. Whether it's marketing, copywriting, ways to interact with potential clients, business strategies, or more areas, never be satisfied with knowing enough. Always be hungry for new ideas. Now, that doesn't mean you need to implement them, because while there are some valuable pieces of information out there, about 80% of it is recycled or useless. Nevertheless, keep learning! 2. Never give up. Most businesses take 3-5 years to really get off the ground and hit their stride. This includes finding their niche and clientele that fits well for that business. The temptation is to walk away from it after 2 years, but stay the course. Unless things are a complete mess, it is best to keep putting your business out there and persevere! Now if your business starts off with a bang, watch out, because swift beginnings can often lead to quick endings if you're not careful and vigilant about adjusting your market and niching. Have a great day! ![]() What is an easy way to make choices/decisions? The technique I'm sharing with you is NOT to be used for making big decisions, but for the smaller, more mundane decisions in life. You could use this for larger decisions, but only an opinion for yourself, not as the final answer. Take out two coins, or two different pens, or two different small objects that can be tossed. Now put them near a wall. Decide which object represents each possible choice. The object of the exercise is this: The object that lands closest to the wall (or book, or door, or other "target") will be the option you will do. Now toss/throw each object. Done? The one you threw FIRST is the choice you really want to do. Why? It's a psychological phenomenon that the first choice is the one we want to have the best chance of being closest to the wall. Have fun! ![]() In my line of work, there is always a line floating around about whether I'm able to do what I do by reading body language. I hate to say this, but that is a fiction started by magicians posing as mindreaders. When I do my shows, I am using a form of body reading, not body language. This is a way of looking at a person and perceiving a ton of information about the person, more than a word they wrote on a piece of paper or some playing card that was picked out from a deck. That's one of the reasons my shows stand out from the rest, because I'm not doing cute tricks with convenient (and untruthful) explanations. There is so much more that happens, and so much more astonishment that takes place. And I teach you how to engage your own intuition, too! One time I was confronted by someone afterwards, thinking they knew "how" I did a particular thing in my show. He was an engineer. He said, "I know how you did that!" and then proceeded with a long explanation of procedure. I smiled and said, "Well, that's one way to do it, but how did I know X, Y and Z?" listing a litany of things that didn't fit his explanation at all. The look in his eyes was classic: you could almost see the short circuiting sparks in his brain. He walked away speechless (and probably went home trying to "research" more ideas!). ![]() Over the years, I have gained quite a reputation about my predictions. From Super Bowls to political contests, I tend to pick the winners. I have had a number of people asking who I think will win the presidential election in 2024. And I have to tell the truth: it's all up in the air, folks! I foresee that many things will be brought to light that have not been talked about or even contemplated before now. Over the months of July and August, watch and see what happens, because news will indeed be news! And for my prediction, I have already written it down, and is safely locked away. It will be opened after the winner is declared for verification, and not until then. ![]() Wait a minute....isn't this the middle of the year? Yes it is, which means that I'm already getting requests to book shows for Holiday Parties! Some are Hypnosis Shows, others are Mentalism Shows, both with plenty of comedy, astonishment and great times! Every year, the calendar fills up quickly with corporate shows and private parties, so if you're on the fence about entertainment for the Holidays this year, contact us and see what we can do for you! Just a little warning: putting things off to the last minute often means that either the date you want is already booked, or the cost may be very high, since time is at a premium. So save money, save yourself from additional holiday stress, and book your Holiday Mentalism Show or Hypnosis Show soon! ![]() While I love to do shows and handwriting analysis to entertain people, I also love to help others develop their skills to become better and more productive in their work and career. Many of the topics I cover in my Corporate Keynote Presentations center around a specific theme that everyone at the talk can learn, experience, and practice. If you would like to:
Then a Corporate Keynote Presentation might be just what you're looking for. There are presentations I've developed for each of these topics and more. Contact me, and we can chat about the possibilities! ![]() This past weekend, I traveled to Iowa to perform a Comedy Hypnosis Show for a large and amazing birthday party, and it was so much fun! Lots of people, lots of laughs, and it was a great time for all ages. That's one of the things that makes me unique: I put on a family-friendly show that is safe for all ages. The review speaks for itself: "Excellent show! Don was very patient at our event with set up and getting started. He puts on a very family friendly show, while still being entertaining to everyone! Would highly recommend him for any hypnotist needs!!" It was a great night, and a wonderful experience! I love providing great entertainment! ![]() I really want to book you for a show, but the place we're having the party has no sound system at all. Will everyone be able to hear you? I get this question every once in a while, and I can tell you with confidence, that there will ALWAYS be sound support, if it's needed. While Bachelorette Parties often don't need any sound support, larger parties and events are another story! I have a complete portable PA system that I am able to bring to any venue for sound support. I will need only one electrical outlet, and everything is good to go! And it's not an extra charge! I enjoy entertaining people in all sorts of environments, so amplification is never a problem. ![]() I LOVE to watch old movies! In fact, my act is largely inspired by the movies of the 1930's, 40's and 50's, with all their quirky sense of mystery and drama. It makes for great stories and comedy! I had the chance to watch Chandu the Magician (1932). This movie is such a treat! Now granted it gets yogis and India culture completely wrong, and has all the hallmarks and prejudices of a very different time, so one must remember context. At the same time, the presentation of hypnosis is downright fun! The premise in the movie is that Chandu's ability to manipulate reality (magic) and perception (hypnosis) has to do with his eyes. If people only look in his eyes, they fall under his hypnotic spell! Of course, this isn't quite how hypnosis works in real life. It's a little more involved than that. However, it provides for some awesome entertainment during my Hypnosis Show, when some of the scenes in this classic movie come to life on-stage! If you get the chance, take a look at Chandu the Magician, and see what you think! When someone comes across my website, there is sometimes the question of whether they should ask for a Mentalism show, Hypnosis show, or a combination of both.
The truth is that both shows are fun, funny, and plenty of amazement mixed in. And every volunteer and audience member is treated with respect and dignity. A Mentalism show works more along the lines of volunteers focusing on specific thoughts and I try to tell you what you're thinking! It's really a lot of fun, and plays better than it reads on paper. No startling secrets are revealed from people's lives, and everyone has a great time! A Hypnosis show is exactly what it sounds like. Volunteers are hypnotized, and then they do some funny antics over the course of the show. No one is put in an embarrassing situation, and there's plenty of laughter. The key to deciding which show to book has to do with your guests. If your guests are "party people" who like to have a fun time, have few inhibitions about being in front of people, and are open to the possibility of participating and being hypnotized, then the Hypnosis Show may be a great idea. If your guests prefer not to be in front of groups of people, are a little squeamish about doing funny things in full view of everyone, unsure about the possibility of participating and being hypnotized, and would rather sit back, relax, and enjoy the show, then a Mentalism Show is a better choice. |
AuthorDon Marlette, Archives
June 2024
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