I got my email yesterday afternoon telling me whether or not I made a Harold Team at the iO Theater. At the end of every iO graduation class the faculty chooses the best players and puts them on a team (known as a Harold team) and then they get a run of shows at the theater. In the improv world, it’s a pretty big deal if you make that team, at least I think it is.
Loser McGee here didn’t make that team.
It reminded me of the time in middle school when I went to the gym every single day after school for nearly two months in an attempt to break the “shuttle run record.” Even though I worked really hard and I wanted it so bad, sometimes wanting it isn’t enough. I came really close, but I never broke it. But now that I’m thinking about this I can’t help but feel that it was kind of a dick move of Mr. Jeffries not to just give me the damn record. I mean it was a handheld stop watch for God’s sake, I know I couldn’t have been off by more than 1/10 of a second or something because I was pretty fast, for all I know the extra time was his delay in reaction. I mean here’s a little girl who clearly has nothing going for her (like friends or a social life) because she’s coming to a gym every day to break a record that involves running a bean bag back and forth. Cut the poor thing some slack.
But I digress, clearly I’ve moved on from that situation…
The thing of it is, I honestly didn’t expect to make a team. I knew there were people who were better than me because I’d watch them on stage perform consistently really well week after week and think damn they’re good. There’s no denying God given talent, especially in a think-on-your-feet kind of setting like improv.
I am fully aware that every person who made the team deserves to be there and is in fact a better improviser than me. So why then I wonder, why was it still such a punch to the gut to receive that email confirming I’m not good enough?
Because rejection just sucks. Sure it gets easier the more frequently it happens, but it never stops sucking.
The worst part is that the email started with “Congratulations” and then went on to say something like … congratulations on completing the program, but you’re not good enough.
Talk about going from high to low in under a second.
So initially I was super bummed, then sad, then really mad, and after all of those emotions passed I’m feeling motivated again. Motivated and competitive. The little girl inside of me who likes to run bean bags across a gym floor is refusing to believe she’s not good enough. Not yet anyway.
Because such is life. You win some, you lose some. What can you do?
Just keep swimming. Just keep swimming. Just keep swimming.
"Rejection is a form of guidance."-Whitney Cummings, comedian
Could not have said it better.
I think everything happens in life for a reason, and we should try to see setbacks as a launching tool for further motivation. Good luck I hope you make the team next time round. x
you have absolutely every right to feel like this. I know i would but I think there are sometimes very good reasons to not make the team, even if you can't see the reason right now.
I was never picked for anything as a kid, so don't feel bad. I had no friends, no social life, no ..life, really… But I grew into a very independent person and all those kids who never talked to me? They're all jerks still. Isn't it funny how that happens? The point is, you and I are better than that. It sucks to not get chosen for something, but you kind of have to tell yourself you're obviously better than that. It's not that you weren't chosen because you're not good enough. It's that you were too good to be chosen at all.
Did that help?
Actually, that sucked. My b. I'd kick all their asses for not picking you.
#somuchbetter
I know we're not totally in the same situation, well, not really at all–but I know how you feel. I've been searching all summer long for a teaching position, and I've interview like 4 times. Every single time I either get a no, or don't hear from them ever again. So frustrating!
I know that something will come eventually, but being patient is wayyy easier said then done.
Loving that you ended on Finding Nemo! Haha.. xx
I'm sorry to hear you didn't make the team. I don't know how things work at iO but I do know that the latest round of Harold auditions here in ny was insane, so many people, and no one I know made it. Some of them are really good improvisers and probably should have. Though I've never really seen you do improv, aside from that video you posted of the jeopardy scene (which was so good btw!), I think you're very talented and will get where you want to be one of these days!
Forget improv, you need to go back to breaking that bean bag record.
I think you summed up what I was going to say in your last line. Just keep swimming girl!
Sorry you didn't make the team, but not sorry it inspired you to share the hilarious bean bag story. Swim on!
Exactly- good attitude. It's the only way to be. Remember that great review you got in the paper the other day for your awesome funny ways?! That was certainly something. You should keep doing what you're doing because I think you're great. Wow. That seemed sorta weird, but you probably know how I meant that….. 😉 (Winky face didn't help did it?.. Made me moooore creepy. …. damn it.)
BLEH. That sucks. Just means bigger things are ahead though.
That sucks that they started it with "congratulations," but I think you're hilarious! I also remember when you wrote the article about Target and how many of my non-blogging friends were sharing it on Facebook. You're going to do great!
You are incredibly funny and I adore your humor. Don't ever stop swimming 🙂
Awwww…such a bummer. I have a similar story from high school. I wanted to make the tennis team sooooo bad. I bought the skirt and I practiced all summer but in the end I was only good enough for "freshman" team which is basically reject team because they don't compete in any matches. If nothing else it fuels your desire to achieve even more. There's always that. : )
Keep your head up and your heart strong! Good things will come your way xoxo
Rejection sucks </3 but hey , everything happens for a reason and perhaps there's a better opportunity waiting right there for you.
Girrrrrrrl. It sucks. it really truly blows. But you know what? I bet you a million dollars none of them has a multi-thousand-reader blog, a huge online following, tons of fans nationwide, and a kickass job with a kickass man and a really kickass dog.
You are amazing.
Sounds like you have a good attitude and sometimes its not about your talent at all. I tried out for cheerleading every year and never made the squad… I think it was more of who you know kind of deal. Anyway for what its worth I think you're hilarious and bigger and better is coming!
Silly IO, they don't know what they're missing. I hope you continue to do improv and post videos here. I get a kick reading your blogs and watching your stand-up!
Aw, man! That stinks. Why would anyone start a rejection letter with "congratulations"? And I bet Mr. Jeffries purposefully ruined your chances of breaking that record. Hang in there and just know you're awesome:)
It sucks that you were rejected but I love your attitude about it.
Did it seriously say Congratulations, you're not good enough?! #RUDE.
At the end of the day, they are the ones missing out – because you are the bomb and quite obviously they made a poor choice.
I never was picked at anything as a kid or in high school or always picked last. I remember one girl that got just about everything she went after. Nowadays, if I get rejected… it still hurts and I still feel like that 9 year old kid that is getting picked last in gym class.
I definitely couldn't do what you do. I'd much so nervous and stumbling over my words!
That's a terrible way to start that letter! Someone didn't think that out too well.
What that reminds me of – back when I was job hunting and my sister was trying to get into med school, we made a "wall of shame." We would print out our rejection letters and tape them up on the wall. Something about the fact that we were sharing it and could laugh at some of the more ridiculous ones made it easier to deal with.
hate rejection letters. I would prefer a rejection text that just says sorry didn;t pick you.
I've been there more times than should be allowed in one lifetime but I think all those no's make the yes's feel that much better. People that never hear "no" are people like Paris Hilton and the Kardashians and look how they handle it. No thanks! 🙂
Next time, girlfriend, next time! Use it as your motivation.
Or go drink a glass of wine and cuss them. 😉
Next time, girlfriend!
I'm sorry you didn't get it, but you definitely have the right attitude. You'll get it next time!
Rejection has been pretty consistent and frequent in my life, but it's also consistently and frequently been the most infuriatingly inspiring kick in the hiney to get up and keep trying. I know that you're so talented – and I believe in you!
Life sucks sometimes, but don't let it discourage you! I just know I'm going to pay an absurd amount to watch the famous girl from Nebraska do stand up one day!
actually love this post! Because let's face it, life is kinda bitchy sometimes, win some lose some, up and down, like a roller coaster.
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