Why do you want to be a Cheerleader?
Some of you trying out for a cheerleading spot, may get caught up in the negative drama of tryouts and if so, your thinking can become narrow and myopic. I’m talking about tunnel vision and a one track mind. This happens when all you can think about is tryouts and all you worry about is how awful you’ll feel if you don’t get in.
Solution? - step back and appreciate the big picture.
Look at all the elements and all the possibilities. Ask yourself why you want to be a cheerleader. If you are thinking narrowly you’re saying I need to be a cheerleader. Need? That’s a big dramatic word. Being passionate about any endeavor is admirable but watch that it doesn’t morph into drama or narrow thinking.
Asking yourself why you want to be a cheerleader highlights what you’re looking for. Are you hoping to be popular? Are you hoping you’ll attract boys or girls? Do you love your school and want to express your support for it? Is it that you yearn to be a part of something and being on a cheerleading squad provides an instant community? Do you love sports and like using your athletic skills? Do you want to keep in shape?
These are all acceptable reasons for wanting to be a cheerleader and you can probably come up with more but consider this: there are other ways to get all of these things. Instead of being a cheerleader you might want to consider joining a sports team. Or you can join any theater club or drama club. Even if you can’t act you can still be part of the team. You can join a community group or volunteer your time. Or you can ask the cheer coach if you can be an assistant.
I suggest you make a list of all the reasons you want to be a cheerleader. Now make a second list of all the ways you can satisfy your needs other than cheerleading. If you do this before the tryouts you will be cushioning yourself against the possibility that you may not get in. Knowing ahead of time that there are other options available to you will actually help you feel more confident and more relaxed.
Tags: cheerleader, cheerleaders, Cheerleading, cheerleading tryouts