LEARNING TO SAY GOODBYE – [part 01] (professional post)

Sometimes we want to try, until the end but it’s to late.

Hi and welcome.

My name is Raúl Veiga and I’m a circus artist too. « TOO » because in fact, I do several other things in show business: actor, dancer, clown, artistic director, magician, choreographer…

At this moment, more than 20 years career. In my history, I worked with beautiful company’s around the world: Cirque du Soleil, Disney, Cirque Medrano, Cirque Eloize, Recirquel, Circus Ivanov, Manuel Weisheit…

Between contemporary and classical circus, I can say that I have a large experience in this « small word ».

Now, the worst part of all this things: I need to talk with you about how to take a job and just let it go when you feel that isn’t a good thing for yourself.

First of all, let’s clarify that the backstage of this business isn’t fair and kind at all. You need to fight to make managers know who you’re, be political with people that you hate and be ready to make concessions that are not pleasant.

I’ll do several posts about how precisely submit your application with circus around the world and salary, but for now, I want to talk about say goodbye.

Sometimes, especially in the most difficult moments, like players or lover’s, we want to try some negotiation like a trophy: I NEED TO.

At this moment, we’re ready to accept all conditions forgetting sometimes our integrity because we’re always listening WE ABSOLUTELY NEED TO WORK OR TERRIBLE THINGS WILL HAPPEN TO US.

When our heart say: this is going in a wrong way and I can feel that isn’t a good thing for me, you need to listen this voice and step back.

I’m not saying to not take risks. I’m saying that as in an abusive relationship, you need to clarify your position and really learn how to say, THIS IS NOT GOOD FOR ME LIKE THIS, SO IF YOU CANT CHANGE YOUR CONDITIONS, I PREFER TO STOP BUSINESS WITH YOU AND YOUR COMPANY.

How many times, until now, I see that something isn’t good for me but I try.

If you send a message and someone answer you and you give your conditions, somethings will probably happens:

• Managers will not answer you, just like that. Waiting for some feedback after days or weeks, you change your conditions to try to take his attention.
• Managers will disappear after talk with you and some days later, they’ll post another ad, looking for artists. You’ll probably feel bad.
• Managers will never see or answer your messages.
• Managers will receive your message, read but never answer.
• Managers will ask how much money do you want. NEVER START PRICES LOW BECAUSE THEY WILL ALWAYS TRY TO PUT YOUR PRICE DOWN.
• If you ask first how much money they can pay, they will always ask how much do you want. Yes, it’s terrible make business like that.
• Managers will ask if you can work with tent (building up and down), publicity or selling things. You can totally say yes but remember: this is a secondary job (second paiement) and you’ll not have time to training and be a better artist. Your choice.
• Managers will try to devalue your performances. Excellent way to ask if you can work for less.
• Managers will try to say that they can’t pay diesel but remember: you’re moving to work, not to have fun.

It’s important to understand that you’re working. Remember how many time you dispended to be a good or incredible artist. How many times you paid to work in gym or with a coach. How many times have you invested in yourself.

If you feel something wrong, ask other artists about the company in Facebook, for example. Be together is the best way to not entry in bad ways.

And of course, sometimes is better to say GOODBYE now and avoid problems.