“You may encounter many defeats, but you must not be defeated. In fact, it may be necessary to encounter the defeats, so you can know who you are, what you can rise from, and how you can come out of it.”-Maya Angelou
When you think of a dry season, you think of a period where there are prolonged shortages of water supply. These dry seasons, also known as droughts, can go on for days, months, or even years. There is nothing you can physically do to end a dry season. You must be patient and endure the process and in due time rain will come, and the dry season will come to an end. This scenario is similar to a dry pageant season. In pageantry, you will go through seasons where you are not manifesting a crown. It may take several pageants before you even make the top ten or even win an optional award. I went through my own dry season. I started competing in pageants at the age of 17, and I did not manifest my first crown until the age of 20. I did not even win my first national title until I was 27 years old. The dry pageant season does not discriminate with regards to hair color, height, size, race, education or even socioeconomic status. Seasons like these are inevitable, and they are designed to prepare and strengthen you. A dry pageant season is not the time to give up and throw away your dreams. So, the question remains how do you endure and remain steadfast during this uncomfortable season? Here are some tips to help you navigate and remain confident during the dry pageant season.
Train Your Brain for Success.
What does it take to win a crown? Big pageant hair? Flawless makeup? An expensive evening gown? Perfect interview? These are all great, but the crown must first be conceived in the mind before a visible crown is won. I like to refer to this process as “manifesting the crown.” Whatever the mind can conceive, the mind will achieve. If manifesting a crown is your heart’s desire, you will manifest that crown in due season. If you believe you are winner, you are indeed a winner. Belief is so important because it shapes the outcome of a pageantry career. If the mind is consumed with negative, toxic thoughts, the outcome will be negative and toxic. Your outcomes are reflections of your inner thoughts. Train you brain by saying affirmations out loud and to yourself. Feed your mind and spirit with all things positive, and you will be amazed at the results.
Maintain a Positive Attitude and Watch Your Words.
Attitude is everything. It can make or break you. Let’s be honest: No one wants to surround themselves with people who have negative attitudes. These types of people are draining on the mind, body, and spirit. Perform an attitude check and ask yourself these questions:
Am I friendly?
Am I teachable?
Am I humble?
Am I a servant?
Also, watch your words. You can use your mouth to create or to destroy. Also, refrain from speaking ill will of the director or contestants. They have nothing to do with your dry pageant season. Learn to speak life over your pageant career, and it will turn around in your favor.
Rid Yourself of Excuses.
“Her hair is longer than mine”. “Her dress is prettier than mine.” “Her makeup is flawless because she was able to hire a makeup artist, and I could not afford one”. “These are the reasons she has won more titles than me.” Excuses, excuses, excuses! Why do you make excuses? It is it because you are afraid to fail? Excuses keep you from experiencing all of the wonderful things in life. Excuses will also keep you in the dry pageant season, and excuses will steal your confidence. In order to succeed in pageantry and not prolong your dry pageant season, you must rid yourself of excuses. Excuses hinder you from accomplishing all of your goals and dreams, and they are simply lies that you tell yourself. Shift your focus and utilize the resources that are at your disposal.
Perfect Your Craft.
This is not the season to become lazy and ungrateful. I understand that you did not win the crown or award, but that is not an excuse to give up. Pick yourself back up, and get to work. Practice your interview questions. Stay abreast on current events. Master that swimwear and evening gown walk. If pageantry is truly your passion, one or a couple of losses should not stop you. This is the time to master your craft. In due time, the season will change, and you will be prepared for the shift. However, you will not be ready for the shift if you have not prepared during the dry pageant season.
Stay Educated and Connected.
Never stop learning. The pageantry industry is ever evolving so you will need to stay abreast of the latest fashion, hair, and makeup trends. Network with contestants, directors, and other pageant professionals, and build relationships. Become an avid reader and subscriber of pageantry related magazines, websites, and blogs. Also, study various pageant systems that are of interest to you. You will compete again so you need to be well versed on your next pageant system.
The dry pageant season is designed to prepare you for great opportunities. This season teaches patience and humility. No one likes a contestant who is arrogant and thinks she is better than everyone else. So, during this season remember to train your brain for success, maintain a positive attitude and watch your words, rid yourself of excuses, perfect your craft, and stay educated and connected. In due time, you will manifest a crown.
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