Every Step is Part of the Journey (even when you're just paying the bills)

Like many other dancer/acrobats, my life didn’t go straight from the gym to a paycheck. I was thinking of this today, just having recently fallen deeper into my 30’s, and was remembering some random jobs I have had. Remarkably, I’ve learned some great lessons along the way. Instead of writing a complete article this week, I present this set of nuggets. Everything is valid and nothing is wasted, and here is evidence to prove it!

1.) Scrubbing pots and pans at a Gymnastics Summer Camp:
Some stains are just never going to come out.
Sometimes you have to wear gloves to get the job done.
Half the time, you’ve just finished with breakfast when it’s time to eat
lunch.
People eat way too much.

2.) Waiting tables at Chili’s:
There’s always an opportunity for romance in the workplace.
Your boss is likely thinking the same thing.
If there’s not a rule, create one.
Most of the items on the menu are created by the staff who try to make
their “shift meals” less mundane.
People eat way too much.

3.) Intern at the Kentucky General Assembly (state house of representatives):
Mail is undeliverable to you if your house does not have a number on it.
If all of your family lives on the same street, it’s called a holler.
State reps make little to no money and work full time every other year.
In Kentucky, women where hats year-round: not just to the Derby.
People really do eat way too much. For lunch!!

4.) Intern in US Congress (I worked for Bernie Sanders, I-VT)
If you can’t get there above ground, there’s always an underground way.
The hardest working people often get no credit.
No matter what you do, your constituents will send you hate mail.

5.) Working for Diavolo Dance Theater, Cirque, and my life as an acrobat, dancer, choreographer:
Trust is stronger than love.
You can do the impossible, especially if you can get other people to do it
with you.
You must always have a sound business plan.
Don’t abuse yourself or your subordinates—it never works in the long run,
even if it might get you through some tough squeezes.
People need to have hope and will seek art that creates hope.
Physicality is boundless.
If you expect to fail, you will.
Art is necessary.
It’s important to make art accessible.
It’s important to forget about the money.
Even if you’re at the top of your game, still take class.
Because you’re at the top of your game, teach.
Small backstage rituals that connect you to each other are important (even
if they are completely ridiculous).
Just when you think it’s all about you, it’s not. Ever.
There will always be someone who hates your show—and tells everyone.
There will always be someone who was so moved by your show—and
doesn’t tell a soul.
And last but not least,
If you’re giving it all that you’ve got, you can eat as much of whatever
you damned well please.

Written by Laura Everling
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