Your dance skill won't get you a raise, promotion, or Gordon Gecko's old office.
But the byproducts of dancing just might do it. Take a look at these tips compiled by one of the biggest influencers in the Arthur Murray organization, Jill DeMarlo.
5 Ways Learning to Dance Can Lead To Career Opportunities
1. Increased Cool Factor.
Who doesn’t want to be around Cool people with Cool skills? Just watch Pierce Brosnon as he wows Rene Russo in The Thomas Crown Affair,
Al Pacino in Scent of a Woman, Patrick Swayze and Jennifer Gray, Richard Gere and Jennifer Lopez, John Travolta, etc, etc, etc. When the situation arises (and it will, trust us!), and you are able to masterfully get on the dance floor and really impress your partner, your coworkers, your family or friends and ALL the people watching, who wouldn’t want to ‘Drop the Mic’ like that if they could?
Bottom Line: Learning to dance will help you drop the mic, and change your social confidence.
2. You will be more Productive at Work.
How often have you thought of new creative ideas when you’re in the shower or just when you wake up? Studies show that taking a break from a streamlined thought process every 4-5 hours will improve your problem solving abilities. Many of those studies recommend exercise, a quick walk, or time on the treadmill to shift focus. However, it’s pretty easy to keep that same work thought process going when engaged in the monotony of a treadmill, right?
Wasn’t the term ‘zoning out’ born out of the tedium of a treadmill?
Or maybe it was your 6th grade social studies teacher?
Either way, it’s definitely not possible when you’re dancing! Learning to dance requires you to be thoroughly engaged with what you’re doing; the music, your partner, what cool moves you’re going to do next, and at higher levels, executing it with flawless and impressive technique. With all of that going on, your mind can’t help but take a break from any singular focus, giving rise to a more creative, alert, and productive thought process when you return to work.
Bottom Line: Disengaging from work is more effective when you are fully engaged in something else.
3. You will improve your Quick Interpersonal Connection Skills.
Learning to dance attracts all kinds of people for a plethora of reasons, and many of them social. On any given day at an Arthur Murray near you, you will meet a variety of people; all different ages, backgrounds, occupations/affiliations, and reasons for wanting more unique experiences in their lives.
Some are getting ready for a wedding or an upcoming event, some are couples wanting to spice up their ‘not-so-exciting’ routines, and many others just want a different vehicle to meet people, get healthier, and increase their self-confidence.
There’s bound to be plenty of people you will relate to, connect with, will want in your career network, and, at the very least, these interactions will improve your social skills, even if yours are already on the map!
Bottom Line: Arthur Murray is an instant LinkedIn profile upgrade.
4. Improve your Physical Health and Prevent Illness.
We’re always looking for the latest quick fix to a better body. We know that eating well and adding any regular exercise to our routine will contribute to less unwanted pounds and a better physique--that’s no secret. The trick then, lies in our ability to choose an exercise we’d actually WANT to do on a regular basis!
Dancing can burn 250-500 calories a lesson!
It will also supercharge your immune system and reduce your risk of developing certain types of illnesses. That means fewer sick days at work—for actually being sick, anyway! With improved health and immunity, you minimize your chances for getting the flu, or a cold, and reduce your risk for developing Type 2 diabetes, obesity, hypertension and heart disease not to mention the unique mental aspect of learning a new coordination based skill lowers your risk of Alzheimer’s.
Bottom Line: Learning to Dance can be the Trifecta cure for the common cold, mental dullness and a boring lifestyle!
5. Encourages a Positive Mental/Teamwork Attitude.
Every employer looks for people that will boost teamwork and positive energy in the workplace. It’s pretty difficult NOT to be happy when you’re learning a fun skill such as ballroom dancing and working together with your teacher or your partner to make it all happen in sync to great music.
There’s no question that any kind of regular exercise, in general, can help curb feelings of anxiety, stress, and depression. When you’re physically active, Serotonin is released by your brain, which helps you feel better and improves your overall state of mind.
Dancing releases almost ALL the positive hormones your body has in its’ arsenal! Oxytocin, the bonding/connecting hormone is secreted during many relationship building ‘activities’, but also when we touch someone, give or see acts of kindness, and when we hug. When we take a person in our arms and dance, we can’t help but feel elated—maybe it’s the sense of accomplishment-a dopamine rush, maybe it’s the connection to the person we’re dancing with-Oxitocin rush, or just the overall level of movement and activity in the muscles-endorphins and serotonin.
Bottom Line: Not only will this keep you in a more positive mood, but any work related stresses will be much easier to handle with these increased levels of “happy” hormones coursing through your system!
A goal is just future regret until you take action. We hope this article inspired you to do just that. Spend 45 minutes of your time and we know you'll discover something that will positively impact your life.
