When you are green, you grow. When you are ripe, you rot. ."- - Roy Kroc, founder of McDonalds

In my most recent issue (Feb. 23, 2015) I discussed "Better" as a journey, not a destination. Is it necessary to strive to become better?

Two years ago I felt like at my age and stage of my career I really did not need to strive to improve. I had already created more routines than I could perform in any one show. Instead of working to create new routines, I could vary my show by simply reviving some of my existing routines.   I have some acts that I have not done in years which got great response. When I have performed one of them again they still get a wonderful response. I thought that I didn't need to purchase any new magic because I have plenty of things I purchased in the past that I haven't learned to perform yet. If I wanted something new, all I have to do is work to master one of those routines.

I gradually realized that was the wrong attitude. In nature everything is either growing or decaying. In life things are improving or declining. My juggling act has not changed in years. I am satisfied with it. Adding a new trick probably would not significantly improve it. I had stopped working on learning new juggling tricks. When I practiced I worked on brushing up the tricks that were already in my act. I noticed that my consistency started to fall off. I dropped more often in a performance. I began to loose confidence in my ability to juggle. Why? Randy Pryor said that you are not capable of performing to the top of your technical ability during a show. The pressure of trying to avoid mistakes, distractions from the audience and other factors mean you perform at less than your potential.

When I stopped working on new tricks, my skill level began to drop. Now the tricks that are in my act are the most difficult that I attempt. When I perform I am not able to succeed at the most difficult tricks. I have returned to working on new tricks. If I never perform those tricks in a show they are improving my show because they raise my technical skill level. The tricks in my show are easy compared to the new ones that I am trying to learn. That has given me increased confidence that I can successfully complete the tricks in my show.

There is another reason for continually trying to be better. Joy is one of the by products of the creative process. Performing something new that you have created boosts your enthusiasm. You take pride in your accomplishments. You know that you did not just get by, but that you made an honest effort.

Remember that emotions are contagious. If you are bored by your performance, your audience will be bored by it. If you are excited, your audience will be excited. I could have easily performed only my existing routines during my up coming Tramp Tradition show at the World Clown Association Convention in Reno this month. But I am putting a lot of effort into creating some new routines that I will perform there for the first time. I am looking forward to the show. I know I will enjoy the results of my efforts, and I hope the audience will enjoy it as well.

Part of that process was going to a lecture last month by Murray Hatfield. I was determined that I would not purchase any new props. However, one of the props he demonstrated and had for sale fits in perfectly with something I was already working on. Another one is a good utility idea that I have already planned to use in different ways in upcoming performances.

Is your performance improving or declining? Where have you become complacent? How can you try to increase your skill level to make what you use in your show easier by comparison? How can you boost your confidence? Where can you be more creative in your material? Where can you become better?