Let's get real here. We all have moments where we feel like giving up on something, but what really defines a moment like that is whether or not we decide to give up or get up.
Recently, I've been evaluating my students based on their technique, determination, and overall approach they have on their classes. Like I said before, we all have rough moments where we don't feel like things are going the way we want, but what we choose to do is the most important part of that moment. Some of my students have recently experienced what it's like to come across a difficult time during some of their classes.
Just like anything else, in dance, as you continue to excel with your technique and ability you are placed in higher levels or categories. After Christmas, I placed my students in the levels I believed they would fit best. While some remained in the level they were in before Christmas, others were placed in higher levels. Those placed in higher levels have recently learned what it's like to occasionally struggle with specific combinations, their technique, and being critiqued differently. Some of them have taken the route of positivity and continue to work just as hard or harder than they were before; others however, have questioned whether or not they are "good enough".
When you begin to second guess yourself and question whether or not you are good enough, you begin to sell yourself short of your true potential. As a studio owner, teacher, and coach it's difficult to see your students feel this way about themselves when you see so much potential within them. Not only does it hurt them emotionally and sometimes technically, but it hurts you emotionally as well. Being in the position of a studio owner, teacher, and coach you create a deep relationship with your students, especially those on your company or competition team. These relationships often run deeper than that of teacher-student-relationship, these kids become like family to you and your family.
Recently, I've witnessed my students become upset and concerned that they're no longer good enough for their level or even being a dancer. However, as the teacher you have to try and understand not only how they are feeling, but also how to reinsure them they are good enough and they have the potential to be even better than they dream to be. In order to understand what's going on with them, you have to watch closely to see what decision they make for themselves.
Unfortunately, only six to thirty percent of people make the decision to get up and move forward. The other seventy to ninety-four percent decide to give up and stop trying. Some of my students have recently struggled with flexibility and their leaps on the right or left side. As dancers, many of you know there is often one side you are better at for most things. A few of my students chose to get up and move forward, which is wonderful! However, some of them chose to begin questioning their technique, second guessing themselves, and began giving up. This became their defining moment when giving up or getting up came in.
When you choose to give up and stop trying, you immediately close yourself off to the future you you could become in dance or any aspect of life. There could be an amazing future on the other side of that moment. However, because you chose to give up and stop believing in yourself, the likelihood of you discovering that future is very slim. The moment you choose to give up, you close yourself off to the remainder of that dance class or your day and your potential future may forever remain unknown.
When you choose to get up and move forward you are making the decision to look at what's happening and realize, yes, this might be a difficult moment for me, but it's going to be okay. You need to remind yourself of all of your past and present accomplishments and make the decision to apply the corrections you've been given to help make you better. When you make the decision to get up, you are opening yourself up to your future and embracing all that God has planned for you. You're allowing yourself to continue to progress toward future accomplishments.
No matter who you are, whether you can get right back up and continue going, you need a little pep talk, or you need tough love. Remember, it's whether or not you choose to give up or get up. Be the six to thirty percent that gets back up, brushes themselves off, and moves forward. Don't sell yourself short of the dancer or person you could become, the technique you could have, or the amazing future that lies ahead. Get back up and prove to yourself, even in those moments when giving up feels like the easiest thing, you are determined to be better than you were the day before. When my students are struggling with the decision to get up or give up, I like to leave them with this, even though giving up feels easy, even when someone is better than you, see how high the bar has been raised and raise it higher! Even if that means it takes you, one day, one week, one month, or one year, raise it higher than it was before! Don't give up, get up and move forward!
Written by: Kelsea Krisle, Owner of Soles On Fire Dance Academy
