As a young dancer, I grew up taking classes at the local dance studio every afternoon and evening. I thrived on the discipline, classical music, and routine. It was grounding and centering. My friends and I found it exciting to learn new material, to receive constructive criticism, and to improve. Dancers love to receive corrections. It's the teacher's professional eye that brings out your talent. They can see and convey what you need to know.
Once I started attending auditions, the lessons in rejection began. It was painful to be cut, but it taught me to keep striving, and to not give up easily. When you are in the arts, you are competing against thousands of other hopefuls. It's not always about who's the most gifted. Often they want a certain type. They may need a blonde, a person who is 5'11", or someone who can belt the high notes. The ability to persevere is what keeps you in the game.
Now that I am writing professionally again, the same lessons are proving to be valuable. I send out pitches regularly. There are many things that come into play. Does the magazine need any more stories? Is the issue I'm interested in current? Do I have the photos and video material that they require?
Editors may not want the structure and format that you submit. If they rearrange and revise your writing, you have to accept it gracefully and adapt. I think of it like choreography. Quite often directors and choreographers will change numbers in a show. You just learn the new material and move on; there is no arguing or negotiation. You can't get too attached to the original version. Your solo might get cut. It's part of the business.
If you can take correction and accept rejection you will be the kind of person who doesn't give up and quit. Often people stop trying just before they are about to make a breakthrough. Persistence and determination make all the difference when it comes to achieving success.
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Resilience is such an important quality; that ability to bounce back from disappointments and to continue striving. I think too having the confidence to take on opportunities when they do come along is also an important part of success. Meg:)
ReplyDeleteThat's very true, Meg. We have to stay motivated. Dave Ramsey says, "if you aim at nothing, that's what you'll achieve."
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