I often refer to pageant contestants as Superheroes.
Find yourself a serious pageant contestant, and you’re likely to find a woman who’s working her way through school, participating in numerous activities on and off campus, conceiving, creating and implementing new projects, serving her community through any number of volunteer programs, spending countless hours practicing her talent, all while busting her tail to maintain a high GPA and strong scholastic standing.
See? Superhero.
That’s why today’s post might come as a bit of a shock… This blog is basically going to tell you to stop. Stop doing stuff, simply in the name of doing stuff – lol!
Hang on… Don’t panic… Here’s what I mean…
For years, students have been told that being “multi-faceted” is a good thing… It’s great to have someone who is the President of the Chess Club, also be a starter on the varsity basketball team… But when it comes to pageants, I’m here to convince you that it’s time to think differently.
Instead of thinking how many different activities you can participate in, you need to be thinking about which experiences can make the most impact (if you had the time to dedicate to them).
The contrast is called, “Thinking DEEP – verses thinking WIDE” and it can be a lifesaver.
Instead of participating in 15 different things and then wondering what they all have in common (and how the heck you’re going to include them all in your pageant paperwork in a way that makes sense), why not pick 1 or 2 things that you’re REALLY GOOD at (or that have significant interest to you) and start going DEEP in those activities.
I’ll give you an example…
If you’re a “sports chick” – and you LOVE anything to do with athletics, then get involved in your sorority’s intramural competitions (become a chair), work at the rec center or become a personal trainer, major in sports broadcasting/sports medicine/sports management/etc, do an internship with a local team, volunteer to coach a youth athletic program, mentor a young person with the same interests, host a fundraiser in conjunction with the super bowl, start a social media site/blog for your favorite team – WHATEVER IT IS – RELATE IT BACK TO YOUR INTEREST IN SPORTS!
Now, old-school thinking would say, “You’ll burn yourself out” if you go in this direction… Or “you’re not going to be well-rounded enough in the real world…”
Let me tell you – the world has changed.
In this economy/job market, the real world isn’t looking for someone who played in the band, was the head cheerleader, an officer in the Spanish Club, and competed as a Math-lete. These days, people want YOU to know where your strengths and interests lie. Before hiring you, businesses want to know how you’ve cultivated those strengths into long-term skills that can help advance the business if you’re a part of their team.
And you know what? Pageantry is a whole lot easier when you adopt this philosophy as well.
Instead of participating in 15 different activities on campus, why not uncover one or two activities you really love and then “go deep” with them. When you do that, it’s MUCH EASIER to create your platform, and to fill out your paperwork, and my personal favorite, to define your pageant brand!
I’m not saying you can’t have hobbies outside of your core interests… If you don’t, then you will likely burn out! But “Going Deep” in one specific area allows focus. And focus, is what allows you to thrive!
If you “love to sing” and you “love to dance” and you “love to act” – That’s fine! You’re “going deep” and I would officially dub you a lover of the Arts! But if you “love to run track” and you “love being on student council” and you “love fashion” and you “love mentoring at-risk youth in after-school programs” – then you’re officially “going wide” – which could end up being a huge disadvantage.
Think of it this way… What would happen if instead of “dabbling” in a variety of activities, you were able to focus all of your time into one or two activities – and you began to excel/flourish in one or two things you loved…?
Now that’s a pageant brand waiting to happen! And – that’s someone who knows their purpose in life – which is a great confidence booster when you stand in front of the judges!
Further – you just might become a Superhero to someone else who loves the same things you love as well. 🙂
Until Next Week!
#BigJunkieLove
Carrie Lakey
Carrie Lakey is kind of obsessed with Miss America…
So are 15,000 of her closest friends.
As an avid fan of the Miss America Organization, Carrie began
publicly predicting pageant winners over 10 years ago.
Now, she leads an online movement of fans
known as “Pageant Junkies”.
Learn more about the Junkie Nation
by clicking here.
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