oh, hustle, where have you gone?
so I have been dancing for about 6 months or so. in that time I have gone from highly motivated, constant energy to, well, tonight where I got taken off of retainer cos I was doing so poorly. I am tired by midnight, boring with customers unless I am drunk, I cannot ask for a dance unless drunk, hell! I can't even WORK unless I'm drunk. but the thing is, it is all catching up to me now. the constant drinking, working late, it is all catching up to me.
so my question is, should I keep at it? or should I take a sabbatical? or...quit? has anyone else experienced this? what did you do?
Re: oh, hustle, where have you gone?
I think what you are experiencing is that sense of not being the "new girl" anymore. Some of what you were getting was probably beginners luck and that is wearing off. You also sound like you are going through dancer "burn out". Take a vacation for a few days, spoil yourself, then get back in the game and start working to learn which hustling techniques work for you. Many girls don't "peak" on their hustle until around their 5th year in the industry... so the sooner you start working on it and paying attention to what works and what doesn't - the better off you will be.
Re: oh, hustle, where have you gone?
I have been dancing on and off for over ten years, and I have gone through many, many losses of enthusiasm.
Sounds like the alcohol is doing it's job...acting as a depressant. Try drinking water in between cocktails. I never was a big drinker even outside my job, so I found that alcohol made me tired and cranky during a long shift, so now I don't drink alcohol while I work. I have a glass of wine or two when I get home.
Change things up: buy a new outfit, makeup, shoes; take a different route to work.
Keep physically active...it gives you that "runner's high"; do yoga, push-ups, or crunches in the dressing room every couple of hours.
Don't think of the customer as just a hustle: think of him/her as the person who signs your "paycheck"; moreover, think of the customer as a "person", even if he/she acts like a jerk.
Confide in your co-workers: you may not be alone in your situation.
Change your motivation for your $: save up for a trip, school, or a financial investment.
Or simply take some time off...what a difference even one day makes!
AND, even though this industry seems like a non-stop party, be careful...make this business work for you, and not against you...you are Number #1!
Hope this helps!;)
Re: oh, hustle, where have you gone?
Re: oh, hustle, where have you gone?
Sounds to me like you are treating Stripping like a Hobby: if it's fun you'll do it, but if it's not fun you won't.
This is a business. It is not that different from the business of selling cars or real estate: make customer contacts, build rapport, close sale, keep in contact with quality contacts to do repeat business.
Once you have control of your emotional mindset, you will be able to control your money.
Re: oh, hustle, where have you gone?
What britney said. Also, cut down on your drinking. If you have to drink to do the job, it's not the right job for you. No amount of money is worth sacrificing your emotional and physical well-being.
Re: oh, hustle, where have you gone?
Thanks guys! This did really help.
I think I am going to take a month off, just to get myself back on track and think about things.
I am going to start thinking of it as a job, but I really do need to see if I can do it without drinking.
So, for the month of April, I will be off. ugh, that is weird. Has anyone else taken a break from dancing because they felt burned out?
Re: oh, hustle, where have you gone?
I just finished taking a month on and off and I never took that much time off, when I went back I was suprised to find how much my perspective had changed, if it wasnt for the break I would have quit altogether I think.
Re: oh, hustle, where have you gone?
Re: oh, hustle, where have you gone?
Quote:
Originally Posted by
knp001
Thanks guys! This did really help.
I think I am going to take a month off, just to get myself back on track and think about things.
I am going to start thinking of it as a job, but I really do need to see if I can do it without drinking.
So, for the month of April, I will be off. ugh, that is weird. Has anyone else taken a break from dancing because they felt burned out?
I have, yes. I would suggest traveling to work somewhere else, if your circumstances allow it. I drive up to Fargo once in a while to work, and it's a nice change of pace:)
Re: oh, hustle, where have you gone?
^^^unfortunately, I have classes. I'm trying to get work at a bar now. however, I do have a trip planned for early June - maybe I'll work for a few days!
I also think a big problem I had was the girls. They are nice enough, but (and this is going to sound sooo stupid) they were all absolutely stunning, and I was so intimidated by them. I am trying to lose some weight, clear up my skin, grow out my hair. maybe that will help as well.
Re: oh, hustle, where have you gone?
Quote:
Originally Posted by
knp001
^^^unfortunately, I have classes. I'm trying to get work at a bar now. however, I do have a trip planned for early June - maybe I'll work for a few days!
I also think a big problem I had was the girls. They are nice enough, but (and this is going to sound sooo stupid) they were all absolutely stunning, and I was so intimidated by them. I am trying to lose some weight, clear up my skin, grow out my hair. maybe that will help as well.
Taking care of your health will definitely improve many aspects of your life. When I started taking vitamins regularly, I felt much healthier and happier (especially because i was lacking Vitamin D during the cold months in MN).