| I've been a dancer my entire life. I started | | | | the rest of me was stiff as a board. I wasn't |
| out at the tender age of 4 with my first pair | | | | moving my arms, hips, head, or shoulders. |
| of shinny black tap shoes with little pink | | | | Nothing. I was only doing 10% of the work, |
| bows. I later graduated to jazz, swing, | | | | but expecting 100% of the results.It's the |
| ballroom, a little country line dancing and | | | | same in business. If you have the perfect |
| in my mid 20s returned to my love of tap | | | | marketing plan, but no systems to back it up, |
| where I studied with a professional dancer | | | | it's like you're working at 10%. You need a |
| who taught the likes of Paula Abdul and other | | | | balance of marketing, sales, accounting, |
| celebrities how to shake a leg.So when I | | | | products, staff, etc. Make sure you aren't |
| decided I wanted to drop a couple of pounds | | | | dancing with just your feet, use your whole |
| before the holidays hit I went back to my | | | | body.Why do I have to force myself to do |
| roots and signed up for a series of dance | | | | something I love?Sunday morning I'm curled up |
| classes.Going in I knew that dance requires | | | | on the couch with my dog, a nice cup of tea |
| creativity, focus, control and power. But | | | | and the TV. I love the dance class, you'd |
| driving home one day I thought about how much | | | | think I'd be ready to jump up and head off to |
| learning to dance is like running a business. | | | | class. But no I literally had to force myself |
| Here are 5 business lessons I've learned from | | | | off the couch.Even though you love what you |
| hanging out in a hip-hop class.I can do a | | | | do, sometimes you'll have to force yourself |
| whole lot more than I thought.Each lesson is | | | | to work. Figure out what motivates you to get |
| broken down into sections. It doesn't matter | | | | going even when you don't feel like it.A |
| what class I'm in the instructor belts out 8 | | | | group of peers is really supportive.When |
| counts of new steps and I watch thinking, "my | | | | there is a really big class we split into two |
| body doesn't do that".You know what, after | | | | groups so at the end of the class each group |
| it's broken down and we practice a bit, "my | | | | has a chance to really let go without |
| body can do that". It's the same with your | | | | worrying about running into their neighbor. |
| business. What business tasks, systems, phone | | | | It's great having more advanced dancers to |
| calls, and risks are you not taking because | | | | follow in case I forget the steps. Then at |
| you think you can't? All it takes is breaking | | | | the end the group watching claps and cheers - |
| it down and a little practice and you'll be | | | | no matter we look like.Find yourself a group |
| amazed at what you can do.It gets easier with | | | | of cheerleaders. Personally, I have a |
| time.My first day in hip-hop class I looked | | | | mastermind group, an accountability buddy, |
| around at the room full of 20somethings and | | | | and a coach. All help me when I need help |
| through, "what on earth is a tap dancer doing | | | | with the steps and cheer for me when I have |
| in a hip-hop class"? I tripped over myself, | | | | even a small success.© 2005 Beth |
| got frustrated with the steps and pretty much | | | | Schneider. Want to reprint this article, feel |
| looked like an idiot. But the more I do it | | | | free as long as you include the following: |
| the easier it gets and the more fun it is. To | | | | Beth Schneider, Chief Infopreneur of Process |
| top it off I'm surprised at how fast I'm | | | | Prodigy, is a business process consultant who |
| picking it up.In business you don't start at | | | | helps solo-entrepreneurs, small business |
| the top. You have to try things that make you | | | | owners and network marketers who want to |
| feel uncomfortable, self- conscious and maybe | | | | systemize their business to increase profits, |
| even (gulp), out of control. But keep at it | | | | increase productivity and grow their business |
| because soon things that gave you the heebie | | | | without having to give up the family |
| jeebies become second nature.It takes more | | | | oriented, flexible, balanced lifestyle they |
| than good feet to be a good dancer.So there I | | | | desire. Beth works one-on-one with her |
| was feeling a little cocky because I had all | | | | clients, offers home study courses, and |
| the steps down. I was moving all over the | | | | teleclass boot camps. For more information |
| floor and then I looked in the mirror and I | | | | visit and sign up for your FR*EE 5- Step |
| looked like CRAP.My feet were perfect. But | | | | Process Starter Kit and FR*EE Process Tips. |