Dealing with Disappointment

For all those students who didn't get what they want, this is my advice.

First, skip criticizing the directors or judges.  It doesn't do any good.

Second, avoid tearing down the people that got what you wanted.

Third, evaulate.

• Did you invest everything in preparing for this audition/performance opportunity? 
• Did you really practice?   
• Did you practice frequently, efficiently, effectively?  
• Did you record yourself (both audio and video) practicing your performance and then listen/watch taking notes of things that you think you could have improved?  

If the answers are yes, then remind yourself that you did your best and the rest is out of your control.  Keep up the good work.  Keep digging into the details of technique and interpretation.  Keep putting yourself out there.  It may not be now or soon, but you will see the results.  

If the answers are no, then ask yourself another question.

• Was what you did instead of really refining your performance worth not getting this particular thing that you wanted?  

Sometimes the answer is yes, and if that's the case, just let go of the disappointment. You can't do everything perfectly, and you chose something that was more important to you. Priorities are good things.  If your answer was no, what can you change to make the next experience more successful?