It's fairly common for magicians of all levels to rush when performing a trick, especially when executing the secret moves. A symptom of this is what's known as the 'blink'. While practicing a performer will blink during the crucial moment. Getting the timing right can make all the difference in how the trick is received so here's some tips to help:

1) Practice, practice, practice! In front of a mirror or even better, make a video. Watching yourself perform on video gives you an audience perspective. Plus if it's good, send in a link and I'll feature you on the site.

2) Choose the right environment to perform your magic trick. A relaxed, friendly atmosphere is great for entertaining, you'll be under less scrutiny thus less pressure. As a rule, I never make my tricks a 'challenge' because while sometimes appropriate, most of the time it will make your audience hostile. Performing where you feel comfortable will naturally lead to better, more relaxed timing.

3) Remember - only you know the secret! A famous magician called Dia Vernon often spoke about 'big actions covering small actions' and this is worth keeping in mind when performing. The human eye can only take in so much information at once - you can take as long as you need to perform a secret move when covered by more distracting movements.

The main point to take away is simply relax, and don't feel pressured into rushing. Oh, and make sure you have fun!