Your First Lesson At Arthur Murray: Perception vs. Reality

Have you ever given yourself a “reverse pep-talk”?

Ever locked in your critical heat-seeking missles on some negative outcome - before you even tried it?  

A job opportunity?

Asking someone out?

Dance lessons?

We've all done it.

It's time to pull back the curtain on the reality of your first dance lesson at Arthur Murray, turn all the lights on, and see what it's really all about.

Your First Lesson At Arthur Murray: Perception Vs. Reality

Question 1: Should I Do This?

Perception

"I should wait until I know a little something before I go in and take a lesson… so I don’t make a fool of myself.

I have [insert any number greater than 1] left feet."

Reality

Our company slogan is, “Walk in, Dance out”.

There’s a reason why Arthur Murray has been teaching the world to dance for over 100 years, and we couldn’t do that for this long if you needed to know how to dance first.

Question 2: Can I Even Handle This?

Perception

"I have never done the splits, or any of that other stuff you see on tv. I am expecting there to be some physical and mental anguish."

Reality

The Arthur Murray teaching style is “fun, quick, and easy”, which really translates to “painless”.

There are plenty of ways to enjoy dancing without doing the exhibition-television version of it. Just like enjoying a casual game of basketball, tennis, or pool, you don't have to be a world champion to enjoy it. 

Question 3: What Will It Feel Like When I Am Walking In?

Perception

"All the great dancers in the room will stop doing their splits/twists/Latin dance stuff and snicker as I walk clunk into the room with bad footwork."

Reality

You’ll be greeted by your teacher, the receptionist, and, most likely, some students with a smile. Don’t be surprised if any of those people greet you by name either.

Question 4: What Will My Teacher Be Like?

Perception

"They’ll be wearing some ballet leotard-type thingy and maybe even a Flashdance sweatshirt."

Reality

Your teacher will be wearing professional, non-Flashdance, attire.

The male instructors wear a shirt and tie everyday. The female staff wear professional, business-like attire. You, on the other hand, can and should dress in whatever makes you comfortable.

Question 5: What Will My Lesson Be Like?

Perception

"This first lesson will be painful for my teacher to endure. They’ll probably walk off, take a coffee break, or quit on the spot."

Reality

You’ll be working with a teacher who specializes in teaching new students.  

As Kathryn Murray used to say, “The hardest step you’ll ever take is the first one through the door.”

Question 6: Am I Even Capable Of Learning To Dance?

Perception

"I will probably step all over my teacher, myself, and people casually walking by as I'm learning to dance."

Reality

Your teacher was hired based on their pain threshold. Okay, kidding.

Truthfully, Arthur Murray professionals make teaching their career because they find the greatest rewards come when their students make dancing, and personal, breakthroughs.

Final Thought

Everyone has a list of "should've, would've, could've" moments. 

Think about this for a second, "I should've taken dance lessons..." will no longer be a sentence you utter while you watch another opportunity go by.  There are plenty of reasons to talk yourself out of a lot of things... But not dance lessons. Not anymore. 

You certainly could've, but after your first lesson you'll be glad you didn't.