Several Dozen Things to Do Instead of Watching TV

1. Create a mailing list of potential clients using the yellow pages or the internet
2. Write a magazine article to be published
3. Write a chapter in that book you've been thinking of writing
4. Play with your kids or grandchildren
5. Go for a walk or a jog
6. Practice one of those effects that you bought because it looked cool, but you never opened the package after the convention. It is still a great effect, it just needs your practice and your personality. Go get it.
7. Try a new recipe
8. Write a direct mail piece
9. Read a book on marketing (I shamelessly recommend any of mine)
10. Read one of the Harry Potter books
11. Read the rest of the Harry Potter books
12. Write your goals. Everyone always talks about how important this is, but really, what's the big deal? Spend 30 minutes and find out the value of the ONE thing virtually ALL highly successful people have in common. Write your goals.
13. Give your spouse a back rub
14. Study a foreign language
15. Begin an exercise program
16. Take your direct mail piece (see #8 above) to a copy shop and get enough copies to send to everyone on your mailing list (see #1 above)
17. Stuff your direct mail pieces into envelopes and seal the envelopes
18. Put stamps and labels on your envelopes and get them in the mail
19. Start a phone campaign where you call just a few prospects per night. You may settle for five phone calls. When you know you need to do only five it makes them easier to get done. Somehow five rejections isn't bad when you know it will only be five. And then when you get a "yes" it is even sweeter!
20. Repair, repaint, restore, or replace some of your old props
21. Create a mailing list of past clients. You can build this from old paperwork if you have it, if not, begin compiling a list of your customers ASAP!
22. Rehearse a new routine
23. Script an entirely new show from the ground up. Did you ever notice how high profile personalities with longevity (like Madonna, David Copperfield, Oprah, etc.) reinvent themselves every five years or so? You can do the same.
24. Plan a budget that takes into account putting 10% of your income aside for savings and investment
25. Set up a "mastermind group" of like-minded, success oriented individuals who get together once a month or so (either in person or via phone) to discuss marketing, strategies, ideas, new ventures, etc.
26. Meet with your mastermind group
27. Attend a magic club meeting
28. Attend a meeting for a club that promotes an are in which you would like to grow and develop (examples: a writer's club, a clowning group, an actor's guild, a puppetry troupe, a comedy improv group, etc.)
29. Attend a networking meeting
30. Contact (via phone, letter, or e-mail) old friends whom you haven't contacted in a long time
31. Listen to audio programs (again, I shamelessly recommend mine, available online at www.JulianSpeaks.com but there are thousands of excellent programs)
32. Listen to music, not for entertainment, but with the ear for what could be used in a show (there are laws governing the use of copyrighted music used in live performances, so I recommend listening to public domain music or licensed music like that produced by Arthur Stead)
33. Create a new magic effect using an old prop or familiar principle
34. Take your favorite card trick and practice doing it with jumbo cards
35. Buy a puppet and have him do magic tricks. What tricks can you do one-handed? Make a list and e-mail it to me.
36. Shop at the dollar store looking for ideas for new magic tricks and props
37. Shop at the office supply store for ideas for ways to streamline your business, increase your productivity, or keep things more organized and structured
38. Shop at the scrapbooking store looking for new paper texture, paper prints, and stickers or stamps that might inspire a promotional campaign or magic trick
39. Read the classics. Keep a copy of Cliff's notes by your side.
40. Study a martial art
41. Write thank you notes to people who have helped you out in life or made you smile recently
42. Write a letter of congratulations to someone you know who recently achieved something important. It doesn't have to be a monumental event. People appreciate being recognized for little things too, like getting a belt rank in martial arts, getting a promotion at work, paying off their home, having an article published, doing their first paid show, etc.
43. Think of additional things that could be included on this list and e-mail them to me. I'll add them to this list and give you credit if you want. I'll even include a link to your web site if you let me know what it is.