Your dance lessons are easy, but don't think for a second that we don't realize how challenging it can be to walk through the door for the first time.
After all, you're working against the grain of your normal day-t0-day activity, possibly years of self-doubt, and it is a general full-scale assault on your comfort zone.
So, considering what you've overcome already, the last thing we'd want is for anything avoidable to stop you on your Dance Journey.
Just because they are avoidable, it doesn't mean it'll be easy, but maybe this will help.
When it Occurs
This can occur at any time in your dance program, but this dance program baddie snatches away the most momentum from new dance students.
How it Happens
Learning to dance is a process. We call it "The Curve of Learning", and the Awkward Use Stage is a normal part of it. The skill, step, or activity is new, your brain and body are being asked to collaborate in a brand new way, and it's easy to get frustrated.
From Bad to Worse
Feeling awkward isn't something exclusive to learning how to dance. We've all felt awkward with new activities like driving, dating, or a new job - but we tend to tolerate the learning process with activities that are practical and necessary in our lives.
Things go from bad to worse in an Awkward Use Stage when, during a moment of dance frustration, the entire hobby is analyzed for its day to day utility.
That's when, unfortunately, the villain wins.
Level 1 Power Ups (Solutions)
You never would have the career you're in if you showed up to work once a week. Not only would that be incredibly detrimental to your career survival, but also to your ability to create any semblance of comfort with the job requirements.
Let's connect this to dancing. To absolutely defeat and vanquish an Awkward Use stage you must keep your lessons more frequent.
This doesn't have to be a permanent solution, but treat the first 4-6 weeks of a new level in your program like the first 4-6 weeks of a job, a semester, or a relationship.
Compressing your schedule during that window can create the muscle memory necessary for the habits that will sustain you for the remainder of the level.
Whether it's a family party, or a work function, this can happen anytime the word gets out about your hobby to those around you.
How it Happens
It's safe to say that your dance hobby will be an interesting topic of conversation once the word gets out. Because of this, just like if you heard your grandmother had taken up basejumping, there may be questions of interest, concern, and some flat out disbelief.
From Bad to Worse
Let's say it's a family function and your siblings hear about your dance lessons. They are shocked, a little curious as to how you might look strutting your stuff, and they utter the phrase: "Well, show us what you've got."
It's in this moment where many students take this villain from bad to worse.
You turn down the request. You cite the fact that there are key ingredients missing from the environment, like a teacher, decent music, or dance shoes, but your siblings are looking at you like you're talking about some secret supermodel girlfriend from Canada who's always "too busy" to come to family gatherings.
Level 2 Power Ups
Empathy. Whether it's friends, family, or co-workers, you've got to expect some disbelief at your new, life-changing hobby. After all, aren't you surprised that you're a dancer now?
The second part to this is going to take some work.
Enjoying your hobby, and feeling comfortable showing off your hobby are two completely separate things.
You can enjoy your lessons and, effectively, shut the rest of the outside world out of your dance life, but, at some point, your outside world will want to see what you're devoting your time to.
Sure, you can show them how much happier you are as a result of your dance lessons, but developing the confidence to dance in front of, or with, them will come from the practice parties and dance events offered at your studio.
When it Occurs
When you've reached the point in your dancing where you're aware that you're making progress, but also aware that there are other good dancers in the room.
How it Happens
You're on a lesson. You happen to catch a glimpse of a student you've never met before, and they look stunning. The student immediately seems to possess all the ability you now feel like you lack.
From Bad to Worse
The same section of your brain that told you it was okay to sweep the Monopoly board with your arm when you were losing is telling you to do the dance equivalent.
To treat this other person, this interruption in your "perceived progress", as all the evidence you need to disprove the viability of your dance hobby.
In addition, since we all love a little evidence, your brain gets right to work - like a band of annoying reporters from TMZ - looking for anything and everything that will support this claim; real, perceived, or completely fabricated.
Level 3 Power Ups
Step one: Communication. Isn't it amazing how bad our track record is as humans when it comes to assessing people when we leave out communication?
By taking the time to chat with your teacher, you may find out that the dancer you're admiring is another teacher, a student who has been dancing for a long time, or someone who is finally having a breakthrough in their progress.
The next part: Big picture. Think about this for a second: How does this person's personal dance journey negatively impact yours? It doesn't. Even if that student ends up becoming the next champion on Dancing with the Stars, that should have zero bearing on the progress you're making, and the positive side-effects you're experiencing from dancing.
Last part: Momentum. These comparisons are common anytime you're outside your comfort zone, but they happen most frequently when your program is lacking momentum. Maybe that's the middle of your program or just toward the end of a level, and, for whatever reason, you need a spark. Instead of taking a spark to ignite something negative, this is the perfect time to call in reinforcements, and have a Progress Check to assess the current state of your lessons, and what improvements can be made to keep things stimulating.
The most important thing to remember is this: You are the hero in your Dance Journey.
And how does a hero get stronger?
If we're talking video games, then you've got to gain experience points by beating the low level bad guys. This unlocks the tools, power ups, and tactics that will prepare you for the big bosses.
In your case, that "big boss" may be dancing at your daughter's wedding, dancing at a restaurant, or just developing the confidence to present your idea to your CEO.
So embrace these challenges. The villains are a regular part of your journey and are there to improve you, so you can level up and gain an extra life as a dancer.
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