It's no secret that the start of the year is a great time to assess where we are. Dancers can look back on the past year to reflect on accomplishments and check in on the progress of their goals. From there they can set new goals and make plans to keep their passion for dance and their technique growing.
While the holidays can be a great time of rest and reflection, it is easy to slip back in to the routine once the season resumes. Dance technique classes can be similar from week to week, as skills stay the same while combinations get more complex. Looking at getting through the routine and the habit from a short term perspective can be dangerous for goal progress. For example, every ballet class is going to start with barre exercises in the same order, followed by center, and then across the floor. Dancers can either “get through” the class, or they can look at each class and each exercise as an opportunity to advance them toward their goals.
Each class, each rehearsal, and each community performance is a small step in the direction of achievement, especially when big goals are difficult to reach. You can't accomplish a quadruple pirouette, full splits, or 32 fouette turns en pointe by closing your eyes, crossing your fingers, and making a wish. It takes hard work. Hard work comes in every dance class by giving each exercise your full focus. More advanced dancers should start to think about how each smaller exercise can help them toward accomplishing more difficult skills. Setting up a meeting with dance instructors is another great way to understand why it is important to do the more tedious work required to become a better dancer.
All of this takes planning. Here's an idea for dancers:
- Write down all of your “big” goals for this year in your dancing. It can be earning a lead role in a performance, accomplishing a difficult technical skill, moving up a level, anything you think of!
- Think of small ways you can take steps toward your goal in class each week.
- Going even further, write down specific class exercises that could help you eventually reach those large goals.
- Share your list with your dance instructor. Keeping communication open and letting your teacher know what you are working on allows your teacher to help you reach those goals and hold you accountable. Your teacher can also help guide you in making reasonable goals.
- Put your list somewhere where you can take a look at it each week to make sure you are staying on track.
This is the best time of year to reflect on past accomplish and prepare for future opportunities. Don't get stuck in the same routine or the same state of mind. Set some goals, work hard, and be accountable, because you never know what opportunities may present themselves!