Imagine standing on stage during your pageant competition's finale. There are two beautiful contestants standing in the center of the stage, clutching each other's hands and whispering kind words to each other. The emcee is reading off the prize package of the titleholder and the obligations of the first runner-up. Return back to the two beautiful women waiting for the moment of truth. One of them is you! There you are, standing on stage with your head down and your eyes closed, wishing for the crown to be yours. You are wearing your dream gown that fits you perfectly and moves just so when you model it. Your make-up is as flawless as it was when it was first applied, and you are having one of the best hair days of your life. You can smell the anticipation, the hairspray, and your perfume. You can just feel the energy from the crowd, and something inside you feels so right, even though your heart is beating faster than normal and you can barely breathe from the nerves. You grasp the other contestant's hands even tighter as the emcee says, "And the first runner up is..." During that brief pause, you feel a sense of peace come over you, accepting that your name may be announced as the runner-up. But to your surprise, the other contestant's name is said. She flashes you a smile, assuring you that she experienced that same peace. Tears start streaming down your cheeks, and you feel so proud of your hard work during your pageant competition. The previous titleholder gives you a big teddy bear hug, and places the sash on your shoulders. Then you bend your knees and feel the crown placed atop your head. You still can't contain yourself and those tears of yours, but you have the most beautiful winning smile on. You take your first steps as the queen, waving like a true queen and blowing kisses to your adoring public.
Can you imagine yourself as that queen receiving the crown during her pageant finale? Didn't taking in that sweet fantasy just feel so good? Let me tell you that channeling that visualization is not just a guilty pleasure for an aspiring titleholder, but it is actually a method of positive attraction. There is a belief out there that we can attract our destinies by methods such as creative visualization. Imagine going to sleep every night, daydreaming the perfect pageant fantasy, and then going to sleep one night as the titleholder you imagined becoming. Yes, it could happen, and you can make it happen too!
All you need is to create a clear outline of your pageant events and to identify a solid foundation of the best contestant you can be. You can use this exercise for any aspect of your pageant competition. For example, let's see how a contestant could potentially utilize creative visualization for her interview. She wants to acknowledge the format of the competition, her attitude approaching the competition, how she handles her environment, and all of her senses. If it helps you, consider making an outline or list to compile all of the information. Let's pretend this contestant interviews with each of three judges one by one and wants to come across as confident, articulate, and graceful. Here is a sample creative visualization for an interview scenario:
You walk into the room, wearing your best smile, holding your head high and wearing your shoulders back. Your interview pumps are so worn in that they feel like a part of you. The color of your suit really brings a glow to your face, and you feel prepared and confident to face each judge. You sit down with the first judge with flawless posture and a ready smile. The friendly judge instantly smiles at you because they can feel your genuine aura. The first question is quite tough, but you answer with ease, thinking through each word and speaking with perfect pitch and enunciation. You know that your thoughts came through wonderfully, and you can tell the judge is quietly impressed by your articulation. The next judge appears a little intimidating and almost grumpy. But this doesn't bother you in the least bit - in fact, you're determined to leave this judge smiling - even if only on the inside. The judge asks a question that he thinks will stump you - you can see a smirking gleam in his eyes that radiate this. But you answer this question so brilliantly that the judge is stunned. You know that you wowed him, and if that question determined your fate alone, then you could trust that you were in very good hands. You are still thriving on the success of your previous question when you greet your final judge. This judge seems almost exhausted by the interview process. She's seen fifty girls already, and she thinks no more of you than of being number fifty-one, another contestant to give her the same lines about wanting world peace and everything else expected of a contestant. She sighs, and asks you her question for the fifty-first time. You give it a little more thought than your previous questions, sympathizing with the judge. Although you received a serious question, you manage to throw in just enough charm but a good amount of humor that even elicits a chuckle and a smile from the judge. She seems to say, "Yes! Finally, someone interesting and fresh!" You took a risk by putting a spin on a rusty question, and the judge has fallen in love with you for it. Your interview is complete, and you know that you accomplished your goal of coming across as articulate, confident, and graceful - not to mention you truly won over all three judges!
Again, doesn't it feel great to imagine being in those pumps? And isn't it even more amazing knowing that by imagining such a concise fantasy, you can attract such a reality? As long as you prepare effectively and walk into the competition envisioning yourself as the winner without expecting to become her, you will succeed. Creative visualization can help you achieve your pageant goals by acknowledging who you desire to become and planning accordingly. It never hurts to plan to win, as long as you do not presume to win.
Dream your heart out, plan to win, and pursue your pageant goals with creativity and imagination!
-Miss Pageant Prep
