Whether you’ve got your eyes on the prize, or are just thinking about entering a competition, there are plenty of reasons that can lead you to enter the race to the podium. Those reasons are there for us to see everyday on Facebook, Instagram and all the other places we check for the latest pole news.
What we see less of are all those reasons that would make you say a big fat NO to engaging in a contest. Leaving aside the monetary cost or the tight schedule that would prevent you from competing, let’s take a look at less material reasons to say “No thanks!”.
From your own personal journey, to your position in the pole community, there are ways other than championships for a successful career and a happy life. Not competing is not signing your death sentence in the pole world, far from that!
Let’s say it out loud: IT’S OKAY NOT TO COMPETE! And here’s why.
Not having won anything does not lower your self worth and your talent.
That’s an obvious one, but sometimes our sadistic little brain can’t help comparing ourselves with others. Stop it immediately! That’s the best way to get depressed, and you are not that other person on the screen. Your worth can’t be measured in bronze, silver or gold, and winning a pole dance competition doesn’t make you a better person. You are already enough, always remember that.
Always see a medal for what it is: a prize for a given moment (the performance) that is the sum of hard work, talent and also a little bit of luck (no costume fail, no heel breaking, no slipping…). It awards what a poler did, not what a poler is.
You can still make it big in the pole industry without a medal.
Winning is indeed an achievement in a pole journey, but it is not a permanent thing. The moment of success is fleeting, and you can’t stop and contemplate your reflection as a champion forever.
It is true that winning a big comp will put you in the public eye, and will open some doors. While it can be a big push forward, there are plenty of ways to succeed in the pole industry. If the talent is there, as long as you work for what you want to achieve, you can make it without a title.
Whether you choose to open your own studio, launch a pole clothing line, or any endeavor related to pole, it will always be your work and your dedication that will make a difference, along with that little something that makes you unique. The medals will open doors, but if you don’t follow with a great amount of work, they will close as fast as they opened.
Just because everyone else is doing it, doesn’t mean you have to.
It’s easy to get caught up in the competitive spirit of pole, because we are overwhelmed everyday on social media with announcements for championships, happy polers sharing their winning routine, training of the ones preparing for a comp, etc…
It’s good to take a step back from that frenzy, and realise that we don’t have to measure ourselves against the rest of the world. Some like to be in the spotlight, some just don’t, and that’s fine!
Just stay true to yourself. Of course, it’s different if you are just shy and that it’s what is holding you back, if you want to give it a try, do it! But if that’s really not your cup of tea and you know in advance that you won’t like it, why would you do it? You don’t owe anything to anyone, except yourself. If you know that you won’t have any regrets, then you’ve made the right decision.
So don’t ever feel bad for not competing, it really is only up to you. You might just not have a competitive personality, or you know that you couldn’t handle the stress of preparations, but no matter what it is that will keep you out of competitions, as long as you’re at peace with your reasons, then everything is fine!
Grab that tiara, and keep your head high, who said you couldn’t be the queen of your home studio? We bet that your other half/kids/cats are cheering as loud as a thousand people crowd!
Have you ever competed and regretted it afterwards because it was not for you? If you have never competed, how do you feel about never doing so?
Kei is a freelance writer, a self taught pole dancer, sprinkled with a huge dose of geekiness and the political incorrectness of a naughty rock chick. Learn more about Kei and her writing HERE.
Competí en un torneo hace 3 años. GRAN error. No estaba preparada, no tenía el nivel suficiente, elegí “Crazy Crazy Nights” de Kiss y mi entrenadora no se sentía a gusto con mi canción, por lo cual mi rutina no me gustaba. Los poles estaban resbaladizos, me olvidé mi coreografía… finalmente logré sacarla adelante, pero esos casi 3 minutos en el escenario fueron realmente malos.
El torneo fue un sábado, y me pasé llorando los tres días siguientes. Lamentaba haberlo hecho tan mal, el tiempo invertido en entrenar, el trabajo… tardé dos años en volver a subirme a un escenario, esta vez para la muestra de fin de año de mi estudio, un escenario sin presión.
Hoy, no volvería a elegir competir…
Yes yes yes!!! Coming from the ballet world where every class you attend is a competition I feel at home in the Pole World. I am doing this for MYSELF, and who cares that I am more flexy or less strong than the awesome woman next to me. For the first time I AM ENOUGH.
When I first began my pole journey 3 years ago, I thought that winning a competition was what it was all about. I have never won a competition, I have always came in last place. I would beat my self up for not doing well, then I’d get the judges remarks, and beat myself up again! My last competition, I almost quit pole all together. But then I realized that it wasn’t because I sucked, but rather I couldn’t dedicate all of me to competition. I always had to chose between work, kids, and husband before anything pole related. And after re-watching my videos, I realized, I didn’t suck, but rather I was a performer not meant for competition. I have since then changed my path, and now perform with a burlesque group, and teach. I love supporting my friends, students, and fellow pole sisters and brothers in competition, and will volunteer to judge, or do backstage work, but have accepted that competition is not for me. And I am okay with that.
I thought about competing probably mostly because other people said I should try. Mostly my bosses at the pole studio after I just started teaching after I just finished my instructor’s course at the same studio chain. I still question myself what it would feel like but on the other hand I’m not a stage person and performing is not my thing also.
Also not long ago there was a huge discussion on Facebook in Israel whether a good pole instructor has to have competed at some point in their career and I’m not sure that competing will actually make me a better instructor then I am or will be throughout time with my growing experience …
I’m currently working on competing this fall after 8 months since learning pole. Not to win, but to challenge myself! I need the continuing goal to keep me motivated. Love to all my pole family whether you compete or not! We are family!
I started poling 8 months ago and tomorrow is my 60th birthday…. I could not even think of competing. Why should I submit to that stress
I feel accomplished at anything I manage to do, I’m not bendy or supple but it keeps me fit and I’m stronger than I have ever been.
Gym or running bored me whereas pole is a challenge
I used to compete 7-8 years ago and even have 3 medals that are just hanging on the wall of my pole room now ? they have not given me any benefits, just some memories and certain costs ? As a professional entertainer I simply do not care about any competitions. From the word “AT ALL”.
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