“I arise in the morning torn between a desire to improve the world and a desire to enjoy the world. This makes it hard to plan the day“ -E. B. White
Welcome to May’s “Mysteries of the Mind” monthly newsletter!
“Happiness is when what you think, what you say, and what you do are in harmony.” -Mahatma Gandhi
Learn from the past, be in the present, build the future!
Below is a list of helpful tools and suggestions for more powerful social interactions.
1) FEET: Pay attention to people’s feet. If people are paying attention to you and want the conversation to continue, they will often point their feet towards you. If they want it to end they will point their feet away from you. If you approach two people in the middle of a conversation, and they only turn their torsos and not their feet, they may not want you to join in their conversation.
2) SILENCE: Silence is the best truth serum. If someone won’t tell you the full truth, just sit in silence for a while in their presence and they will often start talking.
3) EYES: When speaking with people, try to look in their eyes and hold the gaze a few seconds longer than usual. A good way to practice this is to notice peoples eye color while you listen to them. In this world of looking at our smartphones, eye contact is very powerful and shows confidence and interest.
4) BECAUSE: Add the magic word “Because” to get your way. Studies have shown that people are far more likely to give us our way if we have a “because”. And it really doesn’t seem to matter what the because is, “May I cut in line because, I would like to cut in line” is far powerful than simply “May I cut in line”. Try it.
5) NO: If you are dealing with someone who likes to say no, ask for something unreasonable for them to say no to, and they’ll say no, then ask for what you actually want, a much more reasonable task, and they’re more likely to agree. Sometimes people just like to say no.
6) TEACH: When you’re studying/learning something new, teach a friend how/about it. Let them ask questions. If you’re able to teach something well, you understand it. They cycle that I use is Learn, Do, Teach.
7) NAME: When you meet people use their name often. People love being referred to by their name. It is a magic word that activates their mind and attention. It will establish a sense of trust and friendship right away.
8) ENTHUSIASM: If you can make yourself happy and excited to see other people, they will react the same to you. It doesn’t always work the first time, but it is a learned behavior. Share enthusiasm.
9) HANDS: People find others with warm handshakes to be more desirable, warm up your hands before you shake. When I perform spooky shows, I sometimes keep an ice pack in my pocket to cool my hand and make myself more frightening.
10) EMOTIONS:People won’t remember what you say. They will remember what you make them feel. When giving a presentation or meeting a new group of people, remember that they will remember less than 10% of what you say. But they will remember your emotions and how you treated them.
11) SMILE: If you are sad, make a BIG smile, (even if you don’t feel like it) and hold it for 10 seconds. It will release chemicals that will make you believe that you are happier.
12) PASSION: Ask people what they are passionate about, ask them what makes them happy, and ask them what they are looking forward to. These will all create open communication and will make others like being around you. The key here is to be genuinely interested in their answers.
“The big question is whether you are going to be able to say a hearty yes to your adventure“ -Joseph Campbell
Mentalism
This week at a science fair in Iowa, a young man presented on the topic of Mentalism. That is my Hallmark appearance running on the computer on the table and he convinced his mom to buy him a suit like mine. Only use your powers for good, my brave friend! The force is strong with this one. Watch Paul on the Hallmark Channel
48 Hour Film Project
Here is our musical film-fest short that just premiered in Las Vegas at the Sam’s Town Casino Theater. Watch Enthusiasm here
Written, cast, shot, edited and turned in in less than 48 hours!
“The person who says it cannot be done should not interrupt the person who is doing it.“ -Chinese Proverb
Welcome to April’s “Mysteries of the Mind” monthly newsletter!
“It does notmatter how slowly you go as long as you do not stop.“ -Confucius
I am one of the guest presenters at Comic Con in Salt Lake City April 17-19.
This is the largest convention to ever be thrown in Utah! Read Here
I will also be hosting and interviewing a few celebrities live at the convention including
Boba Fett from Star Wars
Micky Dolenz from The Monkees
More to be announced soon!
“March winds bring April showers and April showers bring May Flowers.”
Each year around this time my grandma likes to chant this fun childhood rhyme; it has always stuck in my head.
It is the story of cyclical change. Transition from the dead of winter to the fresh gift of renewed life brought in the spring. As a rancher’s daughter, it was an important season for my grandma and my family.
What shall we do this spring? This is a perfect time to clear out the old and begin to plant seed for the new.
I always like to use this time to make new friends and business contacts. This is a wonderful time to reach out to new people who will be in a better mood because of the fresh air, warmer days and extra sunshine.
People appreciate those who give more than they take. But our gifts don’t always have to be monetary.
Help someone else with their Spring-cleaning
Share flowers
Share baked goods
Invite new friends to your Passover Seder, Easter dinner or spring gathering
Gift one of your favorite books to a friend
Decorate the office.
Send a hand written card by mail (let me know if you want my address)
Teach someone a new skill
Volunteer for a few hours in a hospital, retirement community or VA home
Give grocery store gift cards to homeless people in your area
Strive to make each place you visit better then it was before you were there
This is a time to find ways and reasons to come together and celebrate as a family and as a community. Don’t wait for someone else to initiate. It is your turn.
If you haven’t seen any of my TEDx talks, you might enjoy this one that many of my friends have sent to people who manage, direct and supervise them.
Tribal wisdom for the modern society: Paul Draper at TEDxCalicoCanyon
“The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The second best time is now.“ -Chinese Proverb
Do You Like Alien Movies?
Do you like Sci FI horror Alien movies? My friend Rory is working hard to make one. Some of his otherfilms have stared Hulk Holgan and Linda Blair. 170+ backers so far. Toss in $1 and help out.
It has now been announced that when this movie is funded I will be playing: Dr. Mitchell Harrison – a congenial, highly respected UFOlogist and psycho-therapist who specializes in the study of alien abduction. Read, watch, and/or support here
TV Apperances
Home & Family on the Hallmark Channel:
This week I appeared on a very fun show shot on the Universal Studios lot in Hollywood, California.
Watch Spoon Bending
Watch Reading minds while Blindfolded
Paul Draper pays a tribute to his mother on Home & Family this week with a classic of magic
“I’ve always taken ‘The Wizard of Oz’ very seriously, you know. I believe in the idea of the rainbow. And I’ve spent my entire life trying to get over it.” – Judy Garland
Welcome to March’s “Mysteries of the Mind” monthly newsletter!
“Look, look, look to the rainbow. Follow the fellow who follows a dream” -Finian’s Rainbow Watch here.
I have learned a lot the last 5 years about what it takes to follow your dreams and find the gold at the end of the rainbow; I want to share some of my key steps with you that you can apply instantly to your life as well.
1) Know what your dreams and goals are. Know what you wish to achieve. You don’t have to know how to get there, but you do have to have a clear picture of what you want. This is like wet concrete: it can still change, but at least you have a vision and a foundation. Know what success looks like to you. It is amazing how often I see people fail artistically and in my consulting work with organizations when they don’t have a clear dream.
2) Don’t give up when things start to become difficult. “The way I see it, if you want the rainbow, you gotta put up with all of the rain.” -Dolly Parton. Things will get difficult-plan on it. Lots of people will say no to even the best ideas. Last month, I had the opportunity to visit with some of my most successful friends in the theater business in both Hollywood and New York. They both taught me the same lesson. Audition 1,000 times and after every audition, forget about it and move on to the next one. Don’t sit at home worried about the last audition. Keep working on yourself; competing with only yourself and keep auditioning. You can’t use up your emotional energy on yesterday-you need that energy for tomorrow.
3) When you start to achieve your dreams, allow yourself to celebrate. Too often I see friends reach steps of incredible success, but they are still miserable. This is because they refuse to see the touchstone moments in their lives and allow themselves the pleasure of accomplishment. We must celebrate our successes both publically and privately. We must let our friends and family know the things that we ourselves see as cornerstones of success and then allow them to know when we have achieved them. Every religion and country has a tradition of seasonal calibrations. Each has at least 1 per season and usually 1 per month. This is a way to measure our lives, to remember where we have been and where we are going. You show me how someone celebrates, and I can tell you who they are.
4) Seek advice from everyone, praise everyone. You don’t have to follow everyone’s advice-you shouldn’t follow most people’s advice-but you should seek their advice to see if they offer a new perspective or hold a gem of insight. Also, everyone has genius. Even the homeless man on the street is a genius in something. Find genius in others and praise them for it. It does not diminish you to raise others up, and you never know who they might become.
5) Surround yourself with successful people. Successful people are looking for smart, kind, driven, intelligent, and hardworking individuals like you to mentor. Buy them lunch. Everyone has to eat. You will rise to the level of those you surround yourself with. Give more than you receive. When you can’t surround yourself with successful people, read their biographies.
6) Life is about the journey to the pot of gold. Not the pot of gold itself. Life is about the days you live, not how you are remembered. Choose a life filled with days that you enjoy living. I start every day with the phrase: “If today is to be my last, it will be enough,” and I end each day with the statement, “if today has been my last, it has been enough.”
You are the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow! And the three wishes are yours to grant to others.
“I would rather have a mind opened by wonder than one closed by belief.“ -Gerry Spence, How to Argue & Win Every Time: At Home, At Work, In Court, Everywhere, Everyday
Harvard Business Review
This month the Harvard Business Review showcases the benefit of using corporate Anthropologists like me to help any organization. Read here
A free gift! This is one of the best and most influential books that I have ever read. At this link you can hear this book read by the author, and you can listen to it all for free! You should.
Dr. Patrick O’Neill, of Penn State University and I were interviewed by Parade Magazine this month about folklore and meanings behind Saint Patrick’s Day. View here
Also, If you didn’t have a chance to see my 1 minute of fame on the Travel Channel this week for Ghost Adventures, here it is: Watch here
“Northwestern’s alumni list is truly impressive. This university has graduated best-selling authors, Olympians, presidential candidates, Grammy winners, Peabody winners, Emmy winners, and that’s just me” – Stephen Colbert
Welcome to January’s “Mysteries of the Mind” monthly newsletter!
This month, allow me to share a few fun things: A study out of Stanford and the University of Minnesota on the benefits of the experience of magical “awe”. One of my most embarrassing moments and some very ,very recent clips of my going back to my old stomping grounds to participate in some alumni shows.
Alumni: In the last few months I have been called back to my undergraduate university and my old high school to perform, lecture and share lessons learned along the way. It is important for each of us to do this from time to time to see how far we have come and to give back to those who are on the path where we once were.
From these I have a few fun clips to share in the boxes below. One of my return as the Lion in the Wiz and the other performing Illusions at my old university.
Embarrassing moment: Want to hear one of my most embarrassing moments from university? I was caught with my pants down, literally! Watch here
Going back to university reminded me of two of the best commencement addresses that I have ever heard: Steve Jobs and Fred Rogers. Do you know which was a drop out and which was an ordained minister?
Watch Steve Jobs here
Watch Watch Mr. Rogers here
Awe: According to this new study, when someone experiences a moment of “Awe” they are more likely to perceive that they have extra free time, they want more experiences instead of possessions, they are more willing to be generous, more willing to volunteer and most importantly, they state that they are more satisfied with their lives. These are all benefits that people receive after experiencing a magic show, a magical moment or anything that evokes awe. Lets create more of these moments together! Read here
“How sad and bad and mad it was – but then, how it was sweet“ – Robert Browning
Paul Draper uses magic to raise $125 million
Paul Draper uses magic to raise $125 million for Weber State University! Watch here
Paul Draper appearance, introduction and dove production for Weber State University 125th anniversary Watch here
They also list me as “Notable Weber State People” on their Wiki site along with the founder of Marriott hotels and the President of the Church of Scientology! Read here
Musical Theater Reunion
Olympus High School for a musical theater reunion: The Wiz! Watch me sing 2 songs that I originally sang in 1996, joined by several current high school students. Watch here
They also list me as a “notable alumni” on their wiki site along with former White House Chief of Staff Karl Rove! Read here
“If you’re climbing the ladder of life, you go rung by rung, one step at a time.. Don’t look too far up, set your goals high but take one step at a time. Sometimes you don’t think you’re progressing until you step back and see how high you’ve really gone.” – Donny Osmond (His family always gave full sized candy bars on Halloween!)
Welcome to November’s “Mysteries of the Mind” monthly newsletter!
What would the YOU of 10 years ago think of all that you have done and accomplished in the last 10 years? This is a question that my Uncle Richard wisely asks me whenever I am sad, down or blue. It is incredible how much this tool helps me. If you could tell the YOU of 10 years ago some of the amazing and incredible things that you have experienced, what would you say? I have found that this is a very powerful and enlightening mental exercise. Try it! Make a list.
You 10 years ago would be so very happy with the good that has happened, so amazed at what you have been through and so proud of what you know now. Send me an email and tell me about what you would brag about and teach the YOU of 10 years ago!
One of my happy announcements is that my show posters made the cover of the #1 resource for magic posters in the world! Click here to view www.nnmagic.com/. For many years I have dreamed of owning many of the classic and historic posters from this collection and now mine are among the best! Surrounded by Magic legends like Lance Burton, David Blaine, and Siegfried and Roy.
East Coast friends, soon I will be performing Off Broadway at “Monday Night Magic” in New York at The Players Theater. Would be great to see all of you. What Broadway shows should I seewhile I am in town? Pippin is already high on my list! Watch here.
In other news, the last week I’ve been working on the breakdown for my organizational workshops. Since sales writing is not my key skill. Please send any suggestions for how to make it more readable, relatable, and understandable.Also, any recommendations for whom to send it to… I am happy to offer a referral fee! Click here.
I look forward to catching up with you somewhere on the road!
“When I was a little kid – and even still – I loved magic tricks. When I saw how movies got made – at least had a glimpse when I went on the Universal Studios tour with my grandfather, I remember feeling like this was another means by which I could do magic.” -J.J. Abrams (Hollywood Director and Producer)
Hannukah and Thanksgiving will begin on the same day this year with Thanksgivukkah! This won’t happen for over 70,000 years so we’re getting festive with dreidels, turkeys and menurkeys!
“This correspondence of American Thanksgiving and Jewish Hanukkah is almost poetic.” said Ivy Barsky, chief executive officer of the museum. “Hanukkah is all about fighting against religious persecution and finding religious freedom, and Thanksgiving is about the pilgrims coming to America to escape religious and other forms of persecution. The fact that we get them together this year, the message is really lovely.” — Philadelphia Inquirer
Smithsonian launches a 3D scanning and printing initiative
With most of its 137 million objects kept behind the scenes or in a faraway museum, the Smithsonian Institution is launching a new 3D scanning and printing initiative to make more of its massive collection accessible to schools, researchers and the public worldwide.
A small team has begun creating 3D models of some key objects that represent the breadth of the collection at the world’s largest museum complex. Some of the first 3D scans include the Wright brothers’ first airplane, Amelia Earhart’s flight suit, casts of President Abraham Lincoln’s face during the Civil War and a Revolutionary War gunboat. Less familiar objects include a former slave’s horn, a missionary’s gun from the 1800s and a woolly mammoth fossil from the Ice Age. They are pieces of history some people may hear about but rarely see or touch.
