Transformation is the Key to Winning!

How often have you looked into the mirror after a pageant competition and asked yourself, “what else can I do to win?” You have tried everything imaginable, used every pageant coach in the industry, changed your gown with the insistence of every critique, and still you stand right where you were before; frustrated and confused. As a competitor in any sport, and especially in the world of pageantry, it is vital to be able to transform your unique features on a physical and emotional level into a tangible quality that will separate you from your fellow queens. My mom used to call it transforming from a cocoon into a butterfly, and there really is no better way to explain it.

If you have the ability to take constructive critique but still be able to respect your “inner voice” about where the suggestions are comfortable for you and where they are not then you will find a balance to help catapult you into the next level as a competitor. Changing pageant systems and not changing anything about your foundation of competing will only deliver to you the same results, only in a different system. Pageantry is about the art of transformation, and not just on the physical level, but on the emotional and spiritual level as well. Being honest with yourself is the first step into taking responsibility to perfect your little “imperfections.”

I always like to inspire my queens with exercises that assist them in searching all of their strengths and weaknesses, and this is one you can try on your own. Make a list of three strengths you have that you believe separate you from your competitors, and this is something that you should not have to ask a friend or relative to help you with. You should know enough about yourself to understand where your strengths lie so you can face any challenge in life. Next to your “strengths” list, I would like for you to make a “weaknesses” list and you are only allowed to list three. It is amazing to me that we can struggle to find strengths within ourselves yet have a list of 25 weaknesses!

On your weakness list, I would like you to list them in the order of the most crucial weakness. Usually they will be the first listed, but if you second-guessed yourself, then write them in order of biggest weakness to smallest. Now look at your weakness and ask yourself if this is something that you can correct before your next pageant? It usually is, because aside from having two heads, most of your weaknesses can be refined. Now take a completely different piece of paper and write down 10 actions that you need to take to refine or correct this weakness. I would like you to do this under all three weaknesses and you will develop a plan to specifically strengthen your weaknesses. I would also like for you to add 10 actions on your list that you can perform to make improve your strengths!

I believe in writing your plan down on paper because suddenly your goal have a specific purpose and you won’t feel so overwhelmed when attempting to find the remedy. By doing this you will be able to tackle your next competition with a deliberate plan that will help you to achieve your best results. Remember, to win a pageant you need to be the complete package, so now is the time to reflect and refine!

For more information on my pageant coaching services, please visit my website at www.suzybootz.com or my blog at suzybootz.blogspot.com.

Good luck on your competition and keep reaching for your pageant dreams!

Releasing limiting thoughts to become the "Complete Package"

As a former competitor and now a pageant coach, I am continually asked what it takes to be a pageant winner and my answer always remains the same... you have to be the "complete package." As a competitor in any system, you have an obligation to yourself to prepare fully for your pageant and not just in the areas of competition where you are the most comfortable. Pageantry is a "me, myself, and I" sport and ultimately the competitor who is most polished in all areas of competition is generally the one who will walk away from the pageant with the crown, banner, and title. When you are researching pageants, I urge you to take a look at the judging criteria for that particular system and stregnthen your competitive skills to match all of these categories. One of the most interesting similarities I find in pageantry is a competitor who focuses her attention on one or two areas of competition and asks me in the same breath why I feel she did not win her pageant.

I coach my queens to be the complete package so there is minimal room for her to not walk away with the title. The best gift you can provide yourself with as a competitor in any arena, is to get comfortable being uncomfortable. Since we are all creatures of habit, I believe it is human nature to stay in our comfort zone, so if for instance, a competitor is strong in physical fitness she tends to focus most of her energy on the fitness portion of the competition. This will oftentimes provide her recognition in that category, but not walk away with the crown. If a competitor is strong in judges interview, then she will focus primarily on judges interview and expect this category of competition to win her the title. Unless the pageant is specifically looking for 70% interview, or 70% fitness, then it is your responsibility to perfect all of your competition skills. The most effective way to do this is to be strategic on all areas of competition and leave nothing to chance! Ask any of my queens and they will tell you that my philosophy for pageant coaching is to control every detail we can prepare for, then leave the rest to God. You do however, have to perfect everything you are being judged on or you will find yourself being successful in only one area of competition.

Yes, if you have an amazing swimsuit figure, then the judges will notice your beauty and if you are strong in interview, they will notice you throughout the competition as well - but strength in only one area won't win you the competition. Pageantry is a fiercely competitive sport, and the likelihood of your competitor standing next to you being as strong in your areas of competition are very high, so you need to challenge yourself to step outside of your comfort zone, and take yourself to the next level of competing. Only then will you discover that you have progressed to your highest level as a competitor, and this will spread like wildfire throughout all areas of your life!

You all have the ability to release your limiting thoughts and take yourself your the highest level to accomplish anything that your heart desires! If you desire to win your state, national, or international pageant, then make the decision that you will do something different this time around, as this is what is needed to have a different outcome, and you will surprise even yourself! Keep reaching for your dreams and never allow anyone to tell you what you cannot do!!!