Do you ever find yourself trying to please the world? What usually happens when you try to please everyone? You please no one, right?
When I use to perform magic shows at festivals or libraries there was always a percentage of the audience that was either happy with the show or were ready to throw tomatoes at me. No matter how great the performance was there was always a percentage of people that could not be entertained, even if godmother-entertainment could have slapped them across the head.
When I first started out in the magic-biz I thought it was my fault, after all I was there to entertain the audience — so, why than wasn’t 100% of the audience entertained? I figured if I changed a trick and developed a better storyline for a routine that it would make things better. I tried that and the results turned out to be the same. Still some people were happy and some disgruntled.
What was I to do? Should I just keep changing my act and performance until 100% of the people were completely satisfied? That would be ridiculous! My goal instead wasto please the largest amount of people without having to please everyone. I told myself beforehand that no matter how great the tricks or performance there will be some hecklers. How was I expected to control variables that were beyond my control. I couldn’t help it if your boyfriend forced you to watch my show or you hated the color of my hat and thought I was dorky or you were given free tickets and couldn’t care two flying hoots about the being there. It was my act and it wasn’t for everyone. Just like how Marilyn Manson’s music isn’t for everyone.
I’m reminded of a great story that explained how trying to please everyone is an exercise in futility.
The Old Man, the Boy, and the Donkey
An old man, a boy, and a donkey were going to town. The boy rode on the donkey and the old man walked beside him. As they went along they passed some people who remarked it was a shame the old man was walking and the boy was riding. The man and boy thought maybe the critics were right, so they changed positions.
Later, they passed some people who remarked, ” What a shame! He makes that little boy walk.” They decided they both would walk.
Soon they passed some more people who thought they were stupid to walk when they had a decent donkey to ride. So they both rode the donkey.
Now they passed some people who shamed them by saying how awful to put such a load on a poor donkey. The boy and the man said they were probably right, so they decided to carry the donkey. As they crossed the bridge, they lost their grip on the animal, and he fell into the river and drowned.
The moral of the story? If you try to please everyone, you might as well kiss your ass goodbye!
