There are many different attributes from dancer to dancer. Some like to dance for fun, some like to dance for competition, some will dance with anyone, some are shy, some will only go group lessons and some will only do private lessons. All these attributes vary regardless of how good the dancer is. However, there is an attribute that is common to all the good dancers and the opposite is common to all the poor dancers.
Make sure you have this right attribute and one way or another (no promises on how fast) you will be one of the better dancers.
For the past few years, as you will know if you are a regular reader, I have been researching methods that can be used to make you a better student of dance, and thus a better dancer. To do this, I have also paid attention to those dancers who improve quickly and those who have not improved considerably no matter how long they have been dancing for. I would talk to people about the amount of practice they engaged in, how often they had classes, if they danced socially, if they took lessons elsewhere. The idea was to look for what was common to the better dancers, then codify it and share it with you – after testing it myself.
While I got a few good pointers from people there was very little that was consistent.
The only thing that was consistent was none of the following:
- Lesson per week
- Practice time between lessons
- Confidence
- Happiness
- Sociability
- Intelligence
- Fitness
- Age
Some of these things helped, but they were not consistent amongst all good dancers. The only thing that was consistent was an attitude toward improvement.
Good dancers want to be good dancers and take some action to be better.
Poor dancers on the other hand were inclined to:
- Talk themselves down and identify as a poor dancer
- Stick to slower dances that were less challenging
- Not invest in proper dance wear (especially shoes)
- Listen to others talk about how they improved, but not show any intention of trying it
- Assume their talent was dictated by genes
- Shy away from confronting their weaknesses
If you tend to do any of the above, then there is a good chance that you will be one of those people who remain at the level of dance that they basically started at.
On the other hand, if you decide that you will confront each obstacle that is between you and being a better dancer, then you will be one of those better dancers.
If you need to work on this better attitude then try the following:
- If you have trouble with faster dancers, then don’t say ‘I need to focus on the slow dances’. Instead say ‘I need to work on my speed.’
- Buy proper dance wear so that you feel like a dancer. If you show up to lessons or competitions in regular clothes, then you are sending a message to yourself that you do not take improvement seriously. No need to go overboard here, just enough to make you feel like you take it seriously.
- When you are at a social dance event don’t decide to not dance with others because you are not good enough. Decide to dance with others to make your dance better.
- Don’t avoid a competition because you feel you are not ready for it. Set the date and work towards it.
The common theme to the above is that you take a more positive attitude toward improvement and you identify yourself as someone who is becoming a better dancer. This is just a few ideas, but it should now help you reflect upon things you do that reinforce a complacent attitude toward improvement and how you can change these things to develop a better attitude.
The good news out of this is that it is in your control. If you want to know more about how you can take control and be better at dance, then take a look at the text to the right. If you want to know more about simply being better at anything, then check out the book via the link below.