“To thine own self be true, and it must follow, as the night the day, thou canst not then be false to any man.” -William Shakespeare
“If I don’t practice for a day, I know it. If I don’t practice for two days, the critics know it. And if I don’t practice for three days, the public knows it.“ -Louis Armstrong
My life is dedicated to practice, rehearsal, self-reflection, education, and presentation. I know that this life is meant to be a journey of continuous improvement. And the journey will never be over.
These last few weeks, so many exciting things have happened and there is so much to share. “So much time, and so little to do! Strike that, reverse it.” -Willy Wonka
While on my extended tour of the UK I became the first American Prime Minister to live at 10 Downing Street Watch Here.
Less than 300 Americans alive today have stood where I am standing. And I even had the opportunity to pet the Prime Ministers cat. Here is Obama being a copy-cat. Thanks Obama.
To my fellow Americans, this is like someone from the UK shooting funny videos at the front door of the White House and playing with the Presidents dog. I hope it doesn’t create an international incident!
The UK was amazing and I will soon be releasing a compilation set of notes about my adventures across the pond.
In other news, I’ve been asked to provide a keynote TED style talk for the Medical Leadership Conference for IHC (Intermountain Healthcare). They are one of the largest Healthcare systems in the world. It is slightly intimidating as they are the home of my personal primary care providers. As such, anything I say or do can and will be used against me. It is a wonderful opportunity to share magic with a message and mix original anthropological research with showmanship. Right now I’m working on the topic: Creating Culture: Capturing Extraordinary Results from Fatigued Team Members.
It is so exciting to be speaking with the medical group that will include leaders from the hospital where I was born.
There is no frigate like a book To take us lands away, Nor any coursers like a page Of prancing poetry. — This traverse may the poorest take Without oppress of toll; — How frugal is the chariot That bears a human soul. -Emily Dickinson
The Orleans Hotel
I’m up on the big sign in front of the The Orleans Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas! I’ll be headlining in the Orleans Showroom August 22nd at 8pm. Tickets are $30.
TIME FOR A CONTEST!
$135 Grand prize! $75 Cash and 2 free tickets to the winner.
Send me a photo of the Orleans sign with me on it. Whoever has the best photo by Aug 20th wins.
Best photo could be the funniest photo with you bending spoons while wearing a suit or it could be the most beautiful photo with a shot of the casino in the background and a beautiful sunset. Email your high resolution submissions to Paul@MentalMysteries.com or post them to Facebook / Instagram and tag me.
New Demo & DVD
It is so hard to squeeze an entire career into less than 3 minutes. Watch and let me know your thoughts. Watch Here
Also have a new DVD out just for professional Magicians and Mentalists. Paypal $15 to Paul@RealMagic.org and I’ll send you a copy.
“PA goal is a dream with a deadline” – Napoleon Hill
Welcome to May’s “Mysteries of the Mind” monthly newsletter!
“What is traveling? Changing your place? By no means! Traveling is changing your opinions and your prejudices.” – Anatole France
I have been traveling a lot. And for the first time this week after visiting 7 cities in 10 days, I literally woke up in a hotel room and didn’t remember what city I was in.
In this month’s newsletter let’s talk about 1) The Magic of Fundraising 2) Leading Teams Through Change 3) Setting Smarter Goals
1) My recent fundraiser to help build a math resource library for Grant Elementary School brought in an audience of almost 800 supporters. It is so important to find ways to give back to the communities we care about in any way we can.
Here are two of my appearances on local ABC news performing and promoting the event.
2) Healthcare & corporate speaking: A recent podcast interview about my work in healthcare and with corporations. Please feel free to share this link with others. This explains the anthropological side of my work. I am never too busy for your friends and referrals.
Read More Here
3) I recently worked with a major banking company and discussed one of their tools for creating SMARTER Goals and wanted to share this outline with you.
S:
Specific: The more specifically your goal can be stated; the easier it is to achieve.
M:
Measurable: List benchmarks & milestones to track achieving the desired goal.
A:
Alignment: Make sure achieving this goal aligns with your overall life goals.
R:
Realistic: Ensure that the goal is achievable.
T:
Time-Bound: Define target dates and timeframes.
E:
Engaging: Develop a goal that is interesting and engaging for you.
R:
Reaching: Ensure the goal provides growth & is challenging (Stretch)
This is a great way to think about our goals. It helped me put some of mine in focus this week.
For more on what I have been up to, check out my new videos at Watch Here
“If you wait, all that happens is that you get older.” – Larry McMurtry
SECRETS Revealed
Heathrow, England: For my Magician, Mentalist, Corporate Entertainer, & Hypnotist friends in the UK, please take a look at my intensive 2-day workshop I’m offering through the UK Hypnosis Academy in Heathrow, England in June. This class will fill up fast as we have limited seats available. Read More Here
An interview and article about the event will soon be published in MagicSeen magazine but has an early appearance on the blog of the writer Tim Shoesmith. Read Part 1 Read Part 2
Best Friends
This is the first thing I see in the morning when I wake up. And it usually happens 2 hours before whatever time I wanted to get up.
This sweet, innocent, 2 year old dog stole 3 cookies off of the counter, a small carrot cake out of my computer bag, and a box of animal crackers out of my magic performance case in the time that it took me to drive one errand! She didn’t hurt any of the luggage or bags that she stole them from and she put the trash by the trash compactor when she was done. Cookies, cake, sweet crackers!
I adopted her from Best Friends Animal Society. They are a no kill shelter.
Nat Geo and NBC recently ran stories that the least adoptable dogs are 1) large breeds, 2) black dogs, and 3) pit bulls. Xena is all 3. Follow her adventures on Facebook: Click here
“The ideals which have lighted my way, and time after time have given me new courage to face life cheerfully, have been kindness, beauty, and truth.” – Albert Einstein
It is springtime and a time for rebirth is all around us as the world come back to life from winter and baby animals of every kind from birds to squirrels start to appear all around us.
Sitting in the sun watching the dog play in my backyard I came to the realization that I graduated from High School when I was 18 and that is now almost 18 years ago. 4 years to 40. Is that still “Over the Hill”?
In the meantime, I have some exciting things coming up this month:
Utah:
Help me raise money for a new Math Library at Grant Elementary School. I am presenting a fundraising show at Murray High School and all of the profits go directly to help the elementary school kids. Learn More Here
I’ll be the auctioneer for the Las Vegas Magic Auction April 22nd. Come buy and sell gently used magic. Boomers Bar and Grill in Las Vegas. Doors open for preview at 5pm, Auction at 7pm.
“Only put off until tomorrow what you are willing to die having left undone.” – Pablo Picasso
See Certain Colors For The First
SECRETS Revealed
Heathrow, England: For my Magician, Mentalist, Corporate Entertainer & Hypnotist friends in the UK, Please take a look at my intensive 2-day workshop I’m offering through the UK Hypnosis Academy in Heathrow, England in June. This class will fill up fast as we have limited seats available. Read Here
An interview and article about the event will soon be published in MagicSeen magazine but has an early appearance on the blog of the writer Tim Shoesmith.
Read Part 1 …”Good mentalism draws you in and to some extent makes an audience question the limits of human ability”…
Read Part 2 …”Magic at its core is a visual art. Many magic effects can be performed in isolation from the magician and can still be visually stimulating, even if the audience knows how it is done”…
Kindness Means Being an Advocate for Others
Paul Block
When I was a very young boy in Salt Lake, an African American man came up to me and asked if I was the grandson of Paul Block. I was. He told me the story of how there was a restaurant in Salt Lake City near the Block and Gus Meat packing plant that didn’t allow Blacks to eat there. “I was working there at the time and talking with Mr. Block as he walked to the restaurant. When we got to the door I told him that they wouldn’t serve me in there. He said that I should walk in with him. The owners recognizing Mr. Block told him they would be happy to serve me at the back door but I couldn’t come in the restaurant. Everyone in there eating worked for Mr. Block and he told the owner of the restaurant that if they didn’t serve me, they would be out of business before the month was up. They refused. Well, Mr. Block went back after lunch and told the entire staff working the plant that if any of them were seen going to that restaurant on their lunch break that they would be let go. And he gave everyone a longer lunch break to find somewhere else. And that restaurant closed up within a month and a better one took its place. Standing up for someone else. That was one of the nicest things anyone ever did for me.” I’ll always remember the power of that story. And his emotions about being able to go into a restaurant like an equal without fear or judgment over how he was born. I hope lots of grandchildren in America one day hear stories about how their grandparents were advocates for others and stood up against prejudice so every citizen could have equal rights and equal access.
“To ease another’s heartache is to forget one’s own” – Abraham Lincoln
“There is not a man of us who does not at times need a helping hand to be stretched out to him, and then shame upon him who will not stretch out the helping hand to his brother” – Theodore Roosevelt
Helper High’s are addictive! The research keeps coming in.
We all know giving helps others, whether we volunteer for organizations, offer emotional support to those around us or donate to charities. But studies show that giving is also good for the giver – boosting physical and mental health.
Studies find these health benefits associated with giving:
Lower blood pressure
Increased self-esteem
Less depression
Lower stress levels
Longer life
Greater happiness
According to a 2006 study published in the International Journal of Psychophysiology, people who gave social support to others had lower blood pressure than people who didn’t. Supportive interaction with others also helped people recover from coronary-related events.
The same study also found that people who gave their time to help others through community and organizational involvement had greater self-esteem, less depression and lower stress levels than those who didn’t.
Living longer
According to a 1999 University of California, Berkeley, study, people who were 55 and older who volunteered for two or more organizations were 44 percent less likely to die over a five-year period than those who didn’t volunteer – even accounting for many other factors including age, exercise, general health and negative habits like smoking.
Feeling happier
Biologically, giving can create a “warm glow,” activating regions in the brain associated with pleasure, connection with other people and trust.
In a 2006 study, researchers from the National Institutes of Health studied the functional MRIs of subjects who gave to various charities. They found that giving stimulates the mesolimbic pathway, which is the reward center in the brain, releasing endorphins and creating what is known as the “helper’s high.” And like other highs, this one is addictive, too.
I try to donate at least 6 shows each year for good causes. So far this year I have found an occasion every month!
January 10th for theater renovations at Weber State University
February 28th headlined a show to raise money for the El Segundo, California Music Program
March 19th emceed an Inclusion Center event for advocacy and anti bullying programs
Inclusion Center Event
April 17th presenting a show to help build a Math resource library at a grade school Tickets are still available
Click to view flyer
However, I know that I have only been able to donate my time to these efforts through the kindness of my friends who read these newsletters and help create opportunities for me to lecture and perform all over the world.
Thank you for making a difference in my life and helping me to help others.
Happy Passover, Happy Easter, and happy springtime!
I found this to be very powerfully moving! You’ll watch it and share it with others. Watch Here
SECRETS Revealed
For my Magician, Mentalist, Corporate Entertainer & Hypnotist friends in the UK, Please take a look at my intensive 2-day workshop I’m offering through the UK Hypnosis Academy in Hertfordshire, England in June. This class will fill up fast as we have limited seats available.Read More Here
Inclusion Center Humanitarian Awards Social
The Inclusion Center Humanitarian Awards Social was a huge success! Thank you all for your amazing time, energy, support, and gifts.
Salt Lake Tribune highlighted our event Click Here
Dieter F. Uchtdorf, Gina Cornia, and Ronald Coleman
In the Salt Lake Tribune you can see my head peeking behind the LDS (Mormon) President Uchtdorf’s head after I presented him with his award as he hugs and hands the churches $10,000 donation to our Board Chair Melody Gray.
The Deseret News quoted me as saying: “President Uchtdorf is someone who transforms the world around him,” said Paul Draper, the evening’s emcee. “He is someone who leads people, mentors them and inspires them to be greater in their own lives and communities.”
Successful relationships, success in school, in business, and successful communication can all be greatly enhanced by improving on one primary skill:
And I want to share some valuable tools to increase your empathetic powers that will give you access to more successful interactions every day.
Empathy involves looking past one’s own perspective in any given situation, and understanding, as best as possible, the needs and experiences of another person.
Most of us are born with a natural empathetic ability; tools that help us survive.
By two months, infants can perceive and respond to the emotional states of their caregivers; by one year, “Children monitor adults’ expressions and use them to guide their behavior,” reports Nancy Eisenberg, a psychology professor at Arizona State University and an expert on emotional development. At 2 years of age, children can infer others’ desires from the direction of their gaze; at 3, they can label facial expressions as happy, sad, or angry.
And our skills can keep improving from there if we allow them to. Here are some steps that I use to have greater empathy inevery interaction:
Withhold judgment: There is no true empathy when we judge.
Get to know the other person: Listening is more important than speaking.
Practice curiosity about strangers: Be kind and genuinely interested in people.
Ask for feedback: Tell others what you believe they are saying and feeling. With humility, ask if you are right in your assumptions.
Pay attention to the upper part of the face: The eyes are truly the windows to the soul.
Be expressive: The more expressive you are, the more others will be free to be.
Relax: Honesty and comfort are reciprocated with the same.
Focus your attention outwards. Spend less time in your own mind and more time in theirs.
Daniel Siegel, UCLA psychiatrist said, “It’s a perceptual ability I call mindsight… It allows your brain to create a map of another person’s internal state.”
Decades of research on this type of empathy and mind reading (or, as psychologists call it, empathic accuracy) now reveal how it works, who’s especially good at it, and how we can improve our ability to divine others’ thoughts.
Let me know about your progress in being a more empathetic mind-reader!
In other news, I just created a 3 minute reel representing over an hour of my air time in the last year on the Hallmark Channel show Home & Family. Let me know your thoughts.
“Only put off until tomorrow what you are willing to die having left undone.” – Pablo Picasso
Magic & Communication
I am honored to be presenting a lecture on “Magic & Communication” before the Annenberg School for Communication on the campus of USC in Los Angeles on March 10th in the Annenberg Auditorium. This is their third such event and the first time that they will have a single speaker rather than an entire panel.
Here is a past TEDx talk to show you the sorts of things I may be talking about
Watch Here
I need your help
There is an organization that helps fight prejudice through teaching advocacy and leadership to youth. They helped me through my difficult teen years, and as of just a few months ago, I now sit on the board of this wonderful organization. Soon we will be holding a major fundraiser to make it possible for youth from poor neighborhoods and diverse background to come together in unity to learn the skills necessary to work together in this global melting pot / salad bowl that we all share.
Please join us for a night of great dancing, music, food, and a chance to honor this year’s three Humanitarians:
President Dieter F. Uchtdorf – Second Counselor in the First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints
Dr. Ronald Coleman – Professor of History at the University of Utah
Utahns Against Hunger – Non-profit dedicated to eliminating hunger in Utah since 1981
Date: Thursday, March 19, 2015 Time: 6:00pm (Check-in); 7:00pm (Start) Location: Rail Event Center (235 North 500 West, Salt Lake City)
Please consider buying a ticket to this event for yourself or donating a ticket for one of our youth volunteers to attend.
You can purchase your tickets online. Tickets $100.00 per person.
It is the most wonderful time of the year. This is the time when we stop to recognize the miracles that happen in our own lives, what we are grateful for and what is important to us. It is also a time to say thank you to those kind people who work to make our lives better. You are my Chanukah, Christmas, and Festivus miracle!!
With that, let me share with you some of the GOOD, the BAD, the UGLY and the lessons I’ve learned in the last few days.
After successful corporate holiday parties back to back in Butte and Billings, in Helena, Montana I had my wallet stolen. I always carry my wallet on stage. However, after the show, I went to change and was interrupted to meet some VIPs. My wallet was in my suit pants on the dressing table, while away, someone stepped in and stole over $1,300 in cash, 4k in checks, my original Social Security card and other important documents. My only wish is that the one who took it was someone who needed it more than me. For many of the workers at the venue, that amount of cash would have represented 6 weeks worth of paychecks. So I released it into the world with good wishes.
The flight would have to be changed, so I could wait for my family to send my passport to help with the boarding process. All of the cards had to be cancelled and I had to accept that some items, like photographs, were lost forever.
I posted on Facebook what had happened. In the meantime, to take my mind off of the event I donated my time to a local church for their Christmas party and performed a free show for the children. I was staying at the home of some friends, and upon my return, I discovered that other friends had posted online for people to send $5 to my paypal account – and they had! They sent over $700 with well wishes within just a few hours. Even though I posted that the money they sent had been enough to get home, the money continued. Within 48 hours, 42 people had sent over $2,000 to help with food, flights, replacement fees, a new wallet etc. It was like I was living in “It’s a Wonderful Life”.
The lessons learned: Don’t keep your social security card in your wallet! But also, friends and family are more important than money or things. Memories are more important than possessions. The more we give, the more we receive. You have all taught me that. This week I’ve been inspired to give food to the homeless shelter / rescue missions, donate my time to non-profits for their fundraisers and banquets and donate shows to universities for their scholarship and refurbishment funds.
The Spirit of the Holidays is alive and well within me because I have been inspired by you.
Happy Holidays!
Also, I still have days available for corporate holiday parties or even small gatherings where you want to impress between now and New Years.
“At times our own light goes out and is rekindled by a spark from another person. Each of us has cause to think with deep gratitude of those who have lighted the flame within us.” -Albert Schweitzer
Christmas Special
I’ve just been informed that I will be guest starring on the Hallmark Ch’s Christmas special edition of “Home & Family”. Time to book transportation to Universal City, California and set the recorder.
It is an honor to be elected to sit on the Board of Directors for the Inclusion Center. A human rights organization founded in 1927 as the NCCJ.
My 20-year affiliation with this prestigious organization started when a local man in my hometown named Joseph Rosenblatt donated the money for me to attend a leadership and diversity camp one summer that changed my life for the better. I have served in many positions and was honored with “Volunteer of the Year” in 2002.
Thank you to everyone who has made this possible, I look forward to serving in this new position. It is our mission to help create a more caring world through conflict resolution, education, advocacy, and empowerment. Read More
I never met Mr. Rosenblatt who first brought me to the NCCJ but here is what the governor of Utah and the 1st Presidency of the LDS Church had to say about him. Read Here
