A Dancer Needs Confidence
                                                                    by Michele Rasmussen

It is often difficult to see and measure your own progress. Whether it is dancing or in another area of your life, you are often so focused on the  learning process, that you do not see the progress. It is much like watching a child grow. If you see them everyday, you don't realize how quickly they develop, but someone who hasn't seen them for several months or a year is astounded by their growth and accomplishments.

Learning to dance can be a slow, painful feat. Whether you are a brand new dancer, or someone that is striving to take their dancing to the next level, you must believe in yourself. You must be confidant in your ability to learn and grow. If you believe you can, and you are diligent in your efforts, then you will succeed. Confidence is key. It is often difficult to feel confident during the process as it often seems that everything you are doing is wrong or needs improving, but  keeping an open and optimistic outlook shall help you to see results. 

Imagine two dancers. One dancer is brand spanking new. The other one has been dancing for awhile. They both walk onto the dance floor. The brand new dancer is excited and happy to have discovered the world of dance. Their head is held high with the anticipation of their next dance. They have a smile on their face and are eager to get their feet moving. The other dancer, the one with some experience, finds them self dancing right next to a very awesome, experienced dancer. Their head goes down, they loose the smile on their face and begin to dance. Who do you suppose had more fun? Who do you suppose had a better dance? Who do you suppose you would rather watch? My guess would be the inexperienced dancer. Even though they were inexperienced, they did not allow that to effect their confidence. Always hold your head up and smile.

Believe in yourself and others will believe, too. Be grateful for the comments and compliments from others. Trust and thank them for recognizing your growth and improvement. It is often difficult to see or feel your own progress, so it can be very beneficial to periodically  video yourself  and view your own progress. You can also be brave, enter competitions, and ask the judges for feedback. You would be surprised at how placing in a competition can boost your confidence! 

Remember that dancing is supposed to be fun. Work hard, laugh harder and enjoy the journey. Remain confident and dance with conviction. Remember to always believe in yourself.

Heading out to a Dance Convention? Check out: Dancing Karma!
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