We are fine-tuned as artists to relish in the final product. Recital? Flowers and applause! 17 turns at competition? You get a trophy! But what about when you go pro? What then?

Most of our time as professionals is spent trying to gain opportunities, and therefore less time is spent on stage or behind the camera. This may seem like a loss for some - without the exhilaration of the performance. But, what if I told you the process was teaching you more than you expected? Read on for 3 ways to put the Process over Perfection and reclaim your passion.

1. The Audition is More than Just the Job

We are professional audition-ers. Plain and simple. We have to get used to the grind of getting up and proving our worth on a consistent basis. That is the life of an artist, a freelancer. The audition is important obviously because we are trying to book jobs to pay rent, eat, live, etc. But it's also incredibly important in building resilience, practicing the act of putting our best foot forward, and building tenacity. 

Resilience is key in the arts because as we all know, the "no's" oftentimes come more than the "yes's". Learning how to face rejection head-on will serve you not only as you are pursuing life as a professional dancer, but in your life in general as adulthood starts to smack you upside the head. 

Practice makes perfect! 

Okay, maybe not. 

Practice makes progress! 

I like that one better. 

Here's what auditioning helps you practice: getting ready for the audition, showing up on time, learning the system for professional auditions, showing up even when you don't feel like it/don't think you're right for the job/don't think you're going to book it because there's 300 other people there, understanding audition etiquette, and above all, learning what works for you and what doesn't. For instance, did getting there 20 minutes early help you better mentally prepare? Did researching the choreographer first get you in your head, or help you prepare better? Did that freestyle move work this time? What was the choreographer looking for? Who are their assistants? How did I handle the booking or rejection? What wardrobe did I feel my best in?

So many lessons to be learned. 

You can use rejection as fuel and motivation, but you can also use it to steer you in the right direction. You might find that a certain style, certain choreographer, certain crowd isn't for you. But you won't know unless you show up. You can learn how to hear no and then move forward. Building resilience is the key to a long career. 

2. Crafting your Materials is a Chance to Reinvent Yourself

The perfect version of yourself doesn't exist. The chance to craft your materials allows you to define portions of yourself in concrete ways. It's the reality of the situation that you have to have materials to submit yourself for jobs and to promote yourself. Even if you don't like it, you will use them. Headshots, resume and now more than ever, video. 

What most people stumble on is trying to fit everything about themselves into 1 material. They think that everything rides on that one thing and if they don't get it perfectly right, then it's not going to work, and they are never going to book a dance job, and so on and so forth. This is truly not the case. Your life will change. You will evolve, mature, grow. And as you do, your career will change and hence, your "brand". You will get new materials, you will take new pictures, film new videos, and it will all be alright. Your materials will reflect that change and it is a gift that we can continue to share new versions of ourselves with the world.

3. Connection Matters Most

The actual time spent on the stage or on the job is short. But the time spent in rehearsals and preparing is vast. The most important lesson you will learn along your journey is that connections with others matter the most. We all know the saying "it's who you know". But it's also: who knows YOU. 

You have to remember your classmates are the beginning of your network. The buddies you perform with will be along the ride with you for the long haul. So, who you talk to, and who you keep up with is massively important. Nowadays it feels like it's about instant connection or digital connection. And while that holds merit, people are still drawn to organic human connection. Be nice when signing up at auditions, reach out to someone you met backstage, keep in touch with your castmates, check-in with an old college friend. We desperately need connection in this world, and it's a bonus that it can also positively impact your career. 

For more of this, subscribe to my podcast Dance Careers: Unfiltered. You can work with me 1:1 or in my group program at www.justinementer.com/mntrmgmt and follow along on IG @mntr.mgmt <3

If you liked this post, you might also like:

• How to Motivate Yourself Every Dance Class Using Thought Management 

• 3 Things Dancers Need to Know When Pursuing a Professional Career

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