How Harry Houdini Got Customers

January 24, 2025

In the early part of the 1900s, Harry Houdini was probably the most famous entertainer in the world. He was the greatest escape artist who ever lived. 

Way back then, in order to get publicity for his shows, the day before his show, he would show up and go to the prison or go to the penitentiary, and then he’d have them lock him in a cell, and he would escape.

They would pat him down, make sure he had nothing on him. His wife would kiss him for good luck. Everybody would leave, and within ten minutes, he’d be out of there.

A small town in Indiana just built the most modern penitentiary in the world, and they challenged Houdini because nobody could break out of their penitentiary sells.

Well, the day before one of his shows in Indianapolis, he showed up. They patted him down, his wife kissed him, and everybody left. 

Now, here’s the secret you didn’t know. Houdini used to be a locksmith before he was an escape artist. When his wife kissed him, she would transfer a piece of spring steel, a little piece from her mouth to his mouth. He would take the spring steel and pick the lock and he would be out of there within ten minutes.

But, not this day. He’d usually be out in one minute, but he couldn’t get out in five minutes, ten minutes, twenty minutes. He was there for half an hour. He was embarrassed. He was sweating. He didn’t know what was wrong.

In sheer frustration, he stood up and leaned against the door which sprung open. The door was never locked. Houdini was his own biggest obstacle.

Do you think just by chance you might be getting in your own way?

You might be telling yourself how difficult that test is going to be when it might not be. You might be telling yourself how difficult that opponent is going to be when they might not be. You are telling yourself how difficult that project is going to be, but it might not be.

Don’t make things more difficult than they are. Instead, lean into the problem. Watch what happens.

To lean into your digital marketing problems, go here:

Josh Crouch