Talk about shifting paradigms…

This past weekend I was asked to judge the Miss Easter Shore, Atlantic Shores and South Shore, Tiny, Little & Pre-Teen Beauty Pageants.
The comments I heard from clients and friends ranged from, “You mean like Toddlers and Tieras, that’s awful”, to “What kind of Mom would have her child in one of those”.

Some of the winners along with lead judge and “Big Sister” Devon Vanderslice, Miss NJ Sweetheart, 2014.

With those warm and fuzzy comments still in my mind, I drove to the competition, not quite knowing what to expect.

I found it to be the exact opposite.
It wasn’t young girls being overly made-up and sexualized. Actually it felt more like young girls joining a team, making new friends, and being mentored by the older girls.
It felt like they were joining a sisterhood, where everyone looks out for everyone else. There were no bathing suits, crazy outfits or backstabbing. And there were no losers.

On the contrary. The pageant system, at least the one I saw, which is a part of Miss New Jersey and Miss America, seemed very similar to the teams I played on in my youth. Instead of it being soccer or baseball, it was pageant, and instead of older team members giving me advice, some of which I still remember to this day, it was older girls, all pageant winners, helping their ‘little sisters’.

And if there’s one thing I’ve found in my coaching and conversations with women who come through the pageant system, it’s that they are team players, they are smart, and they are confident.

Something every parent wants for their child.

Selfie with fellow judge and former Miss NJ, Ashley Fairfield.

For this week’s Positive Energy Project, we’re going to do a practice I gave to a client last week, because she called me yesterday to tell me how well it was working. Speaking of the Positive Energy Project, I’m thrilled with the responses I’m receiving.

“It’s given me my confidence back”.

“Heightened mood for sure today.”

“I began to feel as if someone had just done something very special for me, or I had just had a great bit of luck.”

 
So, starting today, for one minute a day for the next seven days, say out loud or to yourself,

“Thank you for the good news coming my way today”.

It works best if you can think about receiving good news and how you feel when you receive it. But don’t worry if you can’t, because neuroscience tells us it will work even if we don’t believe it.  

And send me an email to let me know how it’s working for you.

Still Practicing,

Michael