Failure in Circus: What it is and What it isn't

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“There is nothing noble in being superior to your fellow man; true nobility is being superior to your former self.” 
― Ernest Hemingway

Kate after the sweet sweet victory of achieving the Crossback Straddle!

Circus is one of those things where everyone and anyone can find their place. For me, it is a haven, a sanctuary. Here, my feet are not too flat. Here, I am not too short. Here, I am not too old. In circus you can be any shape, size, or colour and as long as you work hard it will form you into the best version of yourself. The strongest, fastest, most graceful, most powerful you. In ballet or gymnastics you might not find that inclusiveness. In those arenas you may be pushed towards a particular mould of "perfection". If you do not fit that mould then maybe you aren't cut out for it, or so they might tell you. Circus is different, and I love that

That does not mean circus is easy. You might come rearing in ready to work the hardest you've ever worked for something, and you are prepared for all of the bruises and burns. But how you take and learn from your failures will be the most important factor in determining your success in circus, particularly aerial arts, be it recreational or professional.

"Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts." 
— Winston S. Churchill

Here's the thing: circus is actually pretty damn hard. You have to be prepared to kinda suck at it when you start out. When you fail at a particular skill, it doesn't mean you won't ever be able to do that skill. It doesn't mean you aren't capable of doing other skills. And it definitely is not an excuse to quit or decide you just "aren't good at [insert circus skill here]". They say it takes 10,000 hours of training to become a master at anything.  If you can follow through with a mere fraction of that even after many many failures you are already succeeding.

“I have not failed. I've just found 10,000 ways that won't work.” 
― Thomas A. Edison

Here are some things you can remember that will make failure sting less and actually help you use it to your advantage:

1. Always train in progressions. Breaking down a skill into smaller steps makes learning that skill more manageable. Each time you master a progression you get a little boost and can have a little celebration of your mini-success. If you fail at a particular progression it is so easy to move back to the previous one to practice and regain your confidence before trying again.
2. Ask other successful aerialists how they got to where they are. How long did it take them to learn a particular move? How did they achieve it? Some people learn quickly or may have had built up strength from other activities, and some people might have taken a long time to achieve basic skills that you learned in one or two classes. Be mindful that everyone is unique, but  hearing about another aerialist's struggles with certain skills may make you feel less alone and you might get some helpful tips to boot.
3. Show up and be present. Don't let the frustration or fear of failure prevent you from being present in your training. Take advantage of every opportunity to get better and you will.
4. Laugh it off. Circus is hard but it is fun and light hearted too!  If you take yourself too seriously you are missing the point. I have learned that when I fail at a skill it usually brings everyone around me a good laugh, and I can't help but join in. Nothing is quite like the sight of an aerialist tangled up and sliding slowly to the floor.
5. It's not a competition. We are a circus family! And your fellow circus brothers and sisters will hold you up and support you. No one is trying to be better than anyone else, so get rid of that ego of yours and  make the only competition with yourself. Try to improve yourself each time you are in the air.
6. Videos and photos are your best friends! To best learn from your mistakes and break down exactly where you are going wrong, ask someone to take a video or picture for you. Take as many as you need. Watch yourself from different angles and when you see that you need to do something differently, then try again and again and again until you succeed!

"Pain is temporary. Quitting lasts forever." 
— Lance Armstrong (Every Second Counts)

"Quick take a picture because damn this hurts!"- Me after finally making this look good.

Here is one of the most important things: celebrate every tiny success, no matter how small or seemingly insignificant. High fives and photos are my favourite way to celebrate a success! The more you celebrate, the more confident you will feel and when you fail it won't feel as significant.

In conclusion there is no magic tip that will make you suddenly good at aerial/circus arts or help you get that move down pat after only a couple of tries. Practice is the only way. Take the time, make the effort, push yourself, and try again and again and again and again. When you get there feel free to celebrate because damn, you earned it!

“Be yourself; everyone else is already taken.” 
― Oscar Wilde