If Flava flav (pictured above) did magic, wouldn't a prediction of time be obligatory? I think so.
Isn't it great then that he has built a quirk into his character that can easily guide his choice of material? You can do it too! Read on.
To start, take one element of the world, or one skill, and turn up the volume. Way past 10. We're talking super-human. Flava chose time.
By keeping it limited to ONE, you open a clear path for yourself. A lot of the problems we have in our lives are based on too many options - it can all get a bit overwhelming. For more on this, watch this presentation from Barry Scwartz on the paradox of choice:
I have been working on limiting my choices over the last couple years. The trick is to do it in a way that doesn't limit your effective potential, but makes decisions easier. Last year I bought a type-writer, and it works wonders in keeping my writing focused. No choices - nothing to do but write.
Restricting options is also hugely important in creativity. If there are no limits to grow out of, how do you know what to do. Ultimately you need some constraints or else you've got no goals.
Same goes for creating magic. Limit yourself to using 3 things, or 2 or 1. Force yourself to come up with something for a specific purpose and watch your brain go. On the other hand, say to yourself, I want to come up with some kind of random magic trick today, and you might as well give up. This is a good reason why so many magicians come up with card tricks. To say, "I'm gonna come up with a card trick today" is a great restriction. You've gotta focus, you've gotta think. The problem with too many choices, is that the moment things get a little tough, a little tricky, your brain will say "oh screw it, I'll think of something else" and move on.
Do less and you may do more.
