Embrace every hurdle as a stepping stone to incredible opportunities

The King’s Speech (2010)
The King’s Speech (2010)

Many colleagues are hesitant to apply for the position they actually want. It sounds like a paradox, but it’s not. People close doors on themselves — “They probably won’t hire me,” “They are on a much higher level than me there,” “I won’t manage,” “I’ll embarrass myself.”

Behind the scenes at the Sofia Musical Theatre after the spectacle.
  • Give companies a chance to evaluate.
  • Show them who you are.
  • You will be surprised by the result.
  • Don’t get discouraged and don’t stop trying.

Years ago, in my free time, I was heavily involved in street dance — Hip Hop, Popping, Locking, House… all the good stuff. In addition, choreography, modern and classical ballet.

In 2011, I spent some time at a dance studio in West End, London. There, in one of the classes, every time at the end we did a “circle,” and people would go into the circle and freestyle. At first, I was very hesitant to enter. To be alone inside, with others around me watching. The choreographer called me after class and asked, “You’re always enthusiastic, you like the music and you applaud the others who go into the circle, but you yourself don’t go in. Why is that?” I told him about my worries, and I will always remember what he answered: “When you want to win the lottery, you don’t buy one ticket. You do it again and again. And that way you have a chance. If you only dream of winning, without buying a ticket, you will only watch others win.”

A year later in the Czech Republic — I danced as if no one was watching (or filming).
A year later in the Czech Republic — I danced as if no one was watching (or filming).

It’s the same with applying for a new position. Try again and again.

Another story comes to mind. Again related to dancing, because this hobby of mine continued semi-professionally for over 10 years.

At that time, I participated annually in a Dance Workshop supported by America for Bulgaria. For a week, renowned choreographers from the USA came to Sofia, with whom we had classes in various styles — from ballet through jazz to hip-hop. At the end of the week, we performed a dance spectacle at the Musical Theatre, and the best participants received dance scholarships to some of the most prestigious schools in the States.

In 2013, when we were rehearsing for the spectacle again, creating figures and formations, the choreographers chose the people at the end. Who would stand where, what transitions there would be, etc. Everyone strived to learn the choreographies, and everyone wanted to be at the front of the stage during the spectacle. Some were disappointed that they weren’t soloists or among the front positions in the formations. Then our hip-hop choreographer Andrea Burr told us the following:

“The same thing happens at auditions in the States. Just because they don’t choose you doesn’t mean you’re not good dancers or that you don’t know the choreography. They might not choose you for many different reasons. You might be too tall, too short, look too young or old. That doesn’t diminish the qualities you have. It just means that in this case, there was someone who was a better fit for the spot. This should not discourage you.”

It’s the same with your work.

Value your qualities and don’t give up.

Just because you weren’t chosen doesn’t necessarily mean you’re not suitable for the position. It just means that at that moment, there was someone the company decided would be a better choice. Sometimes even that’s not true. Sometimes companies make mistakes and open the position again after a few months.

So, GO BOLDLY FORWARD!!!

Behind the scenes at the Sofia Musical Theatre after the spectacle.
Behind the scenes at the Sofia Musical Theatre after the spectacle.

“No” doesn’t mean “never” (even when it comes to UX) was originally published in UX Planet on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.