In the game of darts, it’s important to locate the target before you start throwing. In darts, your goal is to hit the bull’s-eye for maximum points. The more skilled you are at aiming the darts, the more rewarding the game will be.
The same is true in pageantry. The first step you need to take is figuring out what your real target is. Only you can decide this. Maybe it is to capture the title; but for some, it is to come from the interview feeling confident that you clearly shared your message with the judges and it was received. Perhaps, some want to make it through the pageant without their nerves controlling them. But, you need to decide.
Once you identify the target, you’ll want to perfect your aim so you can hit the bull’s-eye as many times as possible. So let’s say you get the question, “why do you want to be Miss Fabulous?” and your answer is “I would like to be Miss Fabulous because I want to be a positive role model for the women of this country.” That answer would land you on the board; but on the outer edge worth 20 point-not the 100 you need. Why only 20? Because any contestant can say this and it tells me very little about who you are.
To move closer to the bull’s-eye, you’re going to need to go deeper. Try these three tips to help you with your aim.
- Schedule daily time for personal exploration and growth. Even 10 minutes of daily reading from an inspirational book will get you thinking about what you value and what motivates you.
- Journal. Use a question or two to start your thought process, set the timer and start writing. You’ll be amazed at what comes out.
- Work one-on-one with a pageant coach. You can acquire all kinds of knowledge through reading, but if you don’t know how it pertains to you, you’re not going to take action. No action means no results. It’s normal to have some blind spots about ourselves. A coach can help you sort through your choices, develop a focused plan and help you to take action to move closer to your target.
Go ahead and get your planner-I’ll wait 
. Now take a look at this week and set aside some time each day for yourself. Even if it’s only 5 minutes, write it down and commit to it. Next decide what you’re going to do during your ALONE time. Maybe you want to pray, read or meditate; but choose what you want to focus on this week.
Rhonda Shappert is an expert pageant coach and an iPEC trained personal development life coach. She created Winning Through Pageantry™, to partner with pageant contestants and their support people to provide complete pageant preparation and achieve winning results in life through pageantry. In the pageant world she has held multiple local, state and national titles. Rhonda graduated Cum Laude with a Bachelors degree in Musical Theater from The Ohio State University and has performed on stage in 15 countries on the Asian, European and American continents. This mother of three home educates their children and has been married 21 years to her husband Stephen, is the former mayor of her community, and serves on the Board of Trustees for the Ohio Virtual Academy. She and her husband perform original contemporary Christian music. Their music CD entitled Cana is available through www.cdbaby.com/cd/shappert or on her website . For more information on Rhonda, visit www.WinningThroughPageantry.com.
