Hey Junkies!
Just a quick update… In case you don’t know – I have a new career now… Last fall I worked my tail off studying for the Real Estate exam in order to become a licensed Realtor in the state of Colorado. I passed the test at the end of February, joined a group in mid-March and have been drinking out of a fire-hose ever since!
Back when I was taking online courses and studying in preparation for the real estate exam, I’m slightly embarrassed to say… I had a few meltdowns. In fact, there were many moments when I became so frustrated at trying to learn the material that I wanted to throw my computer out the window. And if I were being totally honest, I’d have to say, there were many moments, on any given week, which essentially adds up to the fact that I FREQUENTLY considered throwing my computer out the window (just fyi, Colorado requires 168 credit hours of prep before you can take the exam. Hence, my “many moments”).
However, when the going got tough, there were a few things that kept me going. The idea that I could give people a smooth real estate transaction, allowing them to own their first home… The idea that I could strategically invest in certain properties and over the long-term, see those properties materialize into strong financial gains… And more.
But if I can truly bare my soul and be frank with you – when the courses became too overwhelming and frustrating, one thought kept me going more than anything else.
“If (name of someone I know in real estate) can do this, then I can do it too.”
Yes, when I wanted to quit, all I had to do was remind myself that I knew people who had passed the real estate exam – and lived to tell about it. If that person could do it, surely I could too.
All of these feelings came rushing back to me this weekend when I witnessed the winner of the Ms. United States Woman Division…
Now, just fyi – the requirements for competing in Ms. United States Woman include:
- Currently not married
- May have been previously married or had a child, or both
- Ok to have never had a child, or been married
- Natural born female who is not currently pregnant
- Ages 30 and older
And for those of you in the DEEP end of the pageant pool – Here’s how the judges decide who the winner is…
- Personal Interview (3 minutes privately with 5 judges, 1 per table) = 25%
- Swimsuit and Fitness (one piece or two piece optional) = 25%
- Evening Wear (displaying poise and grace) = 25%
- On-Stage Question (not normally about current events) = 25%
OK – So back to my real estate analogy… Here’s the situation… When I saw the winner of the Ms. United States Woman division, I was amazed… The winner, was Sierra Patricia Scott, Miss Kansas, who is 53 years old!!!
Yes, Sierra bested 40 other women in the Ms. Woman division to take home the crown – and the majority of those ladies were closer to their 30’s than they were to their 50’s!
How did she do it? Well – Here’s four things we see…
She Set a Goal
In an interview with the Wichita Eagle Beacon, Sierra said she decided to compete as a way to better herself and she set a goal to participate in one final pageant before she turned 55 (Sierra was previously named Miss Missouri 1989).
In the same article, Sierra said, “I am better about motivating myself to get in shape and better myself if I have a date to do it by,” she said. “I did it thinking, ‘This is a great way to force me to get caught up on current events. It forces me to get back in shape and forces me to concentrate on all the things I’m supposed to do.”
Perhaps you’ve set a goal of being “Miss State” – But have you set your mind to achieving that goal? Have you written it down? Do you see your goal in front of you through a visual board or through sticky note reminders? If you’re not serious about setting the goal – I’m afraid you’re not serious about achieving it either.
Further, if you’re not committed to each part of the competition (rather than just your favorite parts of the pageant), you’re going to have trouble walking away with the title. Setting a goal means more than “I want this”… It means, “I’m willing to do certain things (and not do other things) so that I can accomplish this goal.” And there’s a big difference between those 2 statements… It takes work to achieve a goal… And you must be willing to put in the work.
She’s Comfortable With Herself
Sierra wasn’t naïve when she arrived at the Ms. United States pageant… She knew there probably weren’t going to be a whole lot of 53 year old women participating! Which is why she addressed her age up front in a video about her before she ever set foot on the competition stage (and it’s a GREAT video showcasing her personality – check it out here).
Sierra could’ve tried to dismiss her age by saying “it’s only a number” – but she didn’t dismiss it – Instead, she embraced it! Trust me, I’m 100% certain she was able to stand out from the crowd because of how comfortable she was, as a 53 year old pageant contestant. And I’m guessing it may not have been easy getting to the “comfortable” stage of such – but she did the work and owned it!
I see ladies ALL THE TIME who try to run from the things that make them “different” from other contestants. Here’s the deal – what’s different about you, IS WHAT MAKES YOU STAND OUT! And nobody ever won a pageant by blending in with the wall paper. If you bring something unique to the table, get comfortable with it. Talk about it. Embrace it. And own it.
She Had a Greater Vision
In the video referenced above, Sierra also talks about being a cancer survivor and how she wanted to advocate for those in similar circumstance. Her platform called, “show your scars” encourages people not to cover up or hide behind the battles they’ve faced – but instead, to “celebrate” them. And proudly display them, rather than hiding them from site.
Further, in an article inside News4Jax.com, Sierra said she also wants to remind people that just because you’re a certain age, it doesn’t mean life is over.
“…If you’ve got a dream to be in a pageant at 53, be in a pageant at 53. If you’ve got a dream to own a company at 53, own a company at 53. It’s not time to quit. It’s time to get started,” Scott said.
The question is, do you have a greater vision beyond winning the crown? And is that vision compelling enough for you to fight for your goal of winning? Ask yourself, does your state even NEED what you have to offer? Or are you just doing this so you can be a role model for someone else?
Hear me out – There’s nothing wrong with being a role model… But that’s not a unique enough reason to choose you. Whoever wins the title WILL be a role model – so take a few moments/hours to try to really understand your personal motivation behind this goal. When you do, you’ll likely find something a bit more compelling as to why you want the job of Miss fill-in-the-blank.
She Lived Her Life
Sierra hasn’t spent the last several decades of her life “pageanting”. While her video above tells of some incredible opportunities and ‘fun facts’ about her life, she also pursued a career in television broadcasting. Her LinkedIn profile is awash in numerous television positions, including that of co-host, anchor, director, writer and producer. Sierra has also hosted numerous charity events throughout Wichita and continues to serve on boards and organizations that matter to her.
In short – I believe there are several pageant ladies out there who would do themselves a HUGE favor if you took a year or two off from pageantry to simply “live your life.” Upon doing so, you’ll likely discover a passion you never knew you had – and develop a deeper appreciation of the pageant process while you’re watching from the sidelines.
Now, please don’t get to thinking I’m considering entering a pageant… I mean, KUDOS to Sierra and everyone else who performed at the Ms. United States pageants this weekend, but that’s not the moral of this story…
Instead, the moral of the story is…
If you find yourself frustrated, or ready to throw your pageant career “out the window”… You now have someone you can reference while pulling yourself together and getting back on track…
Maybe you can print a few pictures, re-read these articles, and repeat the following statement to yourself…
“If 53 year old Sierra Scott can do it, surely I can do it too…”
And I bet you can!
#BigJunkieLove
Carrie Lakey
To see more posts like this one, just click here…
Carrie Lakey is kind of obsessed with Miss America…
So are 22,000 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’s galvanizing an online movement of fans
known as “Pageant Junkies”.
Learn more about the Junkie Nation
by clicking here.
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