We are coming to the end of the summer pageant season, and one of the most frequently asked questions I am receiving in my email is should I compete again?
The answer will depend on the quality of the pageant experience you had, if you won the title you were seeking, your goals, and how much time laps between pageants. Here are some questions I ask to help decide whether or not to compete again.
- Are you physically, financially and emotionally ready to compete? Pageants are expensive and high maintenance. There is nothing wrong with choosing to do only one or two pageants a year. I actually advocate this for a number of reasons, which I will cover later.
- What are the benefits of competing? What are you hoping to gain from the experience? List what you want from the pageant experience or from \”the big win.\”
- Do you have the available time to make appearances and to compete at the next level should you win the title? Directors expect titleholders to promote their pageant system by making numerous appearances and representing their state at the next level of competition. If you can\’t do this, this can create a problem. In my opinion, a good titleholder makes about one appearance a month. Great titleholders do more, average do less. Be very realistic and honest about your time. If you already hold a title, do you have enough time and resources in your schedule to properly promote each system? Can you make separate appearances at completely different events for each title? For example if you hold two titles, can you make two quality appearances a month? If not, don\’t compete. Let another contestant have the honor and experience of being a titleholder. If you can manage the obligations of the different systems, go ahead because many opportunities present themselves to active titleholders.
- Is this the right time and the right system for you? Time between pageants can be your best friend. It gives you time to develop other areas of your life and to become a well-round, balanced person. Life is very cyclical. Certain times are better than others to compete and hold a title. Plus, it may take you a while to find a system that is the right fit for you. But with as many choices available, there is a pageant for you!
If you enjoy competing in pageants, then continue to compete. When they stop being enjoyable, take a break. If you’re bitten by the bug again, you’ll be refreshed and have a new found energy.