When it comes to the daily struggles and efforts of a dancer, it can sometimes seem like it will never be enough - that all the sacrifices made and hard work put in still won't make a difference in achieving your goals. Staying motivated is a challenge, but it's one we ALL face when it comes to dance. When you start to feel defeated, here are a few things I want you to come back to:
Don't Compare Yourself to Others
Your journey in dance is your own - everyone progresses differently, and everyone's timing is unique to them. I know how easy it is to slip into the competitive mindset and begin comparing your abilities to everyone else in the studio, but at the end of the day, the only dancer you should be comparing yourself to is the dancer you were yesterday. Remember that the pursuit of a dance career is an individual pursuit. Sometimes the best thing to do is put on blinders, forget everyone else in the room, and simply focus on being the best dancer that YOU can be.
Rest Days Are Important
A huge factor that leads to a loss of motivation is overworking yourself as a dancer. Burnout is real and it happens to everyone, but as a dancer it can be mental, emotional AND physical. I've seen so many dancers push themselves to the very edge in an attempt to improve, but inadvertently set themselves back when they reach their level of breakdown. Take days for yourself and take time off - rest and reset, and you'll return to the studio with a fresh mindset.
Remind Yourself How Far You've Come
As a dancer it can be extremely difficult to outwardly see improvements in technique - when you're in the studio day in and day out focusing on the same things, it's easy to forget how far you've already come. Improvements might not be visible on a daily basis, but those efforts and small changes DO add up over time. Take a look back at where you were a year or two ago - watch some videos or look up some old photos - and you'll absolutely see the difference to where you are now.
At the end of the day, remember that you're the only one who truly knows how hard you're working. If you're giving it your all every single day, then don't doubt yourself for even a second. Your path as a dancer is your own - there will be ups and downs along the way, but in the end you'll be exactly where you're meant to be, when you're meant to be there.
Remember to stop back next Monday for another brand new article! We'll be talking all about using social media as a dancer and how to avoid unrealistic expectations that come with too much media comparison.
Happy dancing loves:)