My belief in magic faded.

My belief in magic faded. My dreams of becoming a magician disappeared. But my appreciation for the craft grew.

When I was a kid, I was captivated by magic.

I remember watching David Copperfield’s TV specials with my parents, like when he made the Statue of Liberty disappear.

I wanted to be like him.

I even once got to meet him backstage at one of his shows.

But as I grew older, I realized that magic wasn’t “real” (at least in the traditional sense).

It was just illusions.

I stopped believing and turned away from magic.

Over time, I started to appreciate magic again.

The tricks might be “fake.”

But the craftsmanship, showmanship, and creativity behind them are real.

This journey with magic taught me an important lesson.

Many people start something with excitement and big dreams.

But when they face challenges, they stop believing and abandon them.

This happens often in careers.

People enter the workforce or a new job with grand ambitions.

Many assume their path will be straightforward.

Get a job.

Gain experience.

Get promoted.

But the reality is tougher.

Then, they stop believing.

Their careers hit a standstill, or they jump to a new field.

The same thing happens with start-up entrepreneurs.

Companies are started with visions of changing the world.

But as time goes on, they face challenges.

They realize it’s not as easy as they thought.

Many become discouraged and give up those dreams.

However, some embrace these challenges.

Rather than succumbing to disillusionment, they develop an appreciation for the challenges of their craft.

Commitment.

Deliberate practice.

Continuous learning.

Feedback.

Specialized knowledge.

What they initially believed may have yet to come to fruition.

But they find satisfaction in pursuit.

Consequently, they often make breakthroughs in ways they couldn’t have initially conceived.

It’s great to start with big dreams in our personal and professional lives.

But remember, reality will bring challenges.

You will want to stop believing.

Don’t.

Plans may change.

But the real magic happens when you learn to appreciate the craft.

Little things make big things happen.

Over time, I started to appreciate magic again.

The tricks might be “fake.”

But the craftsmanship, showmanship, and creativity behind them are real.

This journey with magic taught me an important lesson.

Many people start something with excitement and big dreams.

But when they face challenges, they stop believing and abandon them.

This happens often in careers.

People enter the workforce or a new job with grand ambitions.

Many assume their path will be straightforward.

Get a job.

Gain experience.

Get promoted.

But the reality is tougher.

Then, they stop believing.

Their careers hit a standstill, or they jump to a new field.

The same thing happens with start-up entrepreneurs.

Companies are started with visions of changing the world.

But as time goes on, they face challenges.

They realize it’s not as easy as they thought.

Many become discouraged and give up those dreams.

However, some embrace these challenges.

Rather than succumbing to disillusionment, they develop an appreciation for the challenges of their craft.

Commitment.

Deliberate practice.

Continuous learning.

Feedback.

Specialized knowledge.

What they initially believed may have yet to come to fruition.

But they find satisfaction in pursuit.

Consequently, they often make breakthroughs in ways they couldn’t have initially conceived.

It’s great to start with big dreams in our personal and professional lives.

But remember, reality will bring challenges.

You will want to stop believing.

Don’t.

Plans may change.

But the real magic happens when you learn to appreciate the craft.

Little things make big things happen.