My new stuff isn't ready to post yet but, I actually wanted to re-visit something I wrote 4 years ago! It's crazy to me how strongly I still feel about this topic- and so much has happened to me since I wrote this...
This is a post called "Death to the Zero Sum" I wrote it right before I began by Senior year of college. I remember what event caused this post to be written, and I remember how my Dad explained Zero- Sum theory to me. Kudos Kevin!
I am definitely a completely different person now, and reading this made me smile! Things and people in my life are not all the same but I still feel I have an amazing support system and I like to think I give the same support to my friends. It's nice to have this "Zero Sum" reminder too.
SO here's to me writing/blogging again! My new stuff is on the way! But for now, enjoy this trip down Aisling's memory lane!
Death
to the Zero Sum
Being a girl is Musical Theatre basically sucks. It sucks
because there are just so many of us who want the same things. And yes,
everyone is special and has a unique gift to give, but generally speaking, there
are 500 girls out there right now who look and sound just like me.
This can be totally terrifying!!!! Not just professionally but, personally as well. I live with 3 MT girls full time.... and most of my friends are in this business too. How is this possible? Can you really confide in someone and trust them when we are all desperate for the same jobs? Can you truly get total support? Will you ever feel confident that, when something great happens to you, your friends are really happy for you?
From experience, it's frickin hard. I am blessed to have so many incredibly talented people in my life. I am also so blessed to have amazing friends who I feel totally suuported by! ( I got soooo lucky) And I love all them. I am honestly, 100%, so happy for them with all of their accomplishments. But I'll admit it goes against my instincts to not be competitive. And this is when I'm still in school, and paying my rent isn't on the line!!!! HELP!
I know I'm not the only girl who feels this way so no judging!!!
Here's the key to overcoming this is..... KILL THE ZERO SUM!
zero-sum rule: In game theory and economic theory, a zero-sum game is a mathematical representation of a situation in which a participant's gain or loss is exactly balanced by the losses or gains of the other participant(s). If the total gains of the participants are added up, and the total losses are subtracted, they will sum to zero. (wiki definition)
example: if there are 10 apples.... we each have 5 of them..... then I get take one.... that means I have 6 and you now only have 4....
So here's what I realized recently, and now has become a daily mantra. "Success is not a zero-sum game!"
If someone is becoming successful that does not take away from you in any way! There is room for everyone on Broadway!
So the next time your BFF gets a job, remember that having triple threat friends only makes you look more triple threat!
And the next time your boy's ex gets a fierce job, remember that it doesn't mean you can't get just as good of a job tomorrow!
This business is tough enough.... let's be there for each other ladies!
This can be totally terrifying!!!! Not just professionally but, personally as well. I live with 3 MT girls full time.... and most of my friends are in this business too. How is this possible? Can you really confide in someone and trust them when we are all desperate for the same jobs? Can you truly get total support? Will you ever feel confident that, when something great happens to you, your friends are really happy for you?
From experience, it's frickin hard. I am blessed to have so many incredibly talented people in my life. I am also so blessed to have amazing friends who I feel totally suuported by! ( I got soooo lucky) And I love all them. I am honestly, 100%, so happy for them with all of their accomplishments. But I'll admit it goes against my instincts to not be competitive. And this is when I'm still in school, and paying my rent isn't on the line!!!! HELP!
I know I'm not the only girl who feels this way so no judging!!!
Here's the key to overcoming this is..... KILL THE ZERO SUM!
zero-sum rule: In game theory and economic theory, a zero-sum game is a mathematical representation of a situation in which a participant's gain or loss is exactly balanced by the losses or gains of the other participant(s). If the total gains of the participants are added up, and the total losses are subtracted, they will sum to zero. (wiki definition)
example: if there are 10 apples.... we each have 5 of them..... then I get take one.... that means I have 6 and you now only have 4....
So here's what I realized recently, and now has become a daily mantra. "Success is not a zero-sum game!"
If someone is becoming successful that does not take away from you in any way! There is room for everyone on Broadway!
So the next time your BFF gets a job, remember that having triple threat friends only makes you look more triple threat!
And the next time your boy's ex gets a fierce job, remember that it doesn't mean you can't get just as good of a job tomorrow!
This business is tough enough.... let's be there for each other ladies!
xoxo
A
