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