John Carney is a true master. I return often to his books for help and inspiration. I recently found this passage on learning in his Book of Secrets. I know it rings true for me so it may for you too.
Most magicians give up too quickly when they meet a challenge in technique. If they aren’t able to pick it up immediately, they toss it aside in favor of less demanding approaches. The truth is, if you truly want to learn these more difficult sleights and believe that you can learn them, more than likely you are capable. Your skill and understanding may be acquired slowly over a period of months or years, but with thought and practice you may achieve a totally natural demeanor throughout your manipulation. The necessary confidence is acquired by having anticipated problems in countless rehearsals and making allowances for them in advance. Good sleight of hand starts in the head, with the hands being merely a translating tool. The ideal execution should be unimpressive, unremarkable. This is what the great cardman Dr.Elliott spoke of when he prescribed, “Be natural.”
