Author Julia
In my book “The Messages” there is a special chapter called “Diligence” which tells about the very quality that brings us to the desired result. Or maybe? Now we can say that this word is a little outdated, as it has been replaced by other fashionable words, but the essence is still the same: if you want to achieve something in the activity you are engaged in, you have to be diligent in it!
It’s necessary to focus on your goal, develop and improve your knowledge, skills and abilities in this very area. As I am actively involved in dancing in this period of my life, I will give examples from this activity.
First of all, in order for you to diligently engage in any activity, you have to answer the question of why you are doing it. I have written dozens of articles on the goal setting topic and I will not hesitate to repeat that again: if you, starting a new business or continuing constant actions, can answer the question of what your goal is, you are already 50% on the way to success. The remaining 50% is the diligence. So, my answer is: I dance because my classes bring me health, emotional, physical and mental satisfaction, develop my body, improve my memory, bring positive emotions, and all of the above makes me younger and happier. That’s just in short.
As a former professional athlete, I do love achieving more, setting new goals and higher personal standards. There is definitely a huge number of wonderful dancers in the dance world and I always admire them, watching their videos! I still don’t understand how judges manage to choose the best couple, how places are distributed at competitions, because, in my opinion, all couples are great!
Despite having a clear goal in dancing for the upcoming year and, of course, it is connected with participation in competitions, first of all, I train and compete with myself — at each lesson I want to dance better than at the previous one. I want to reach the maximum I can today, and to increase it even more tomorrow!
Now I have two teachers: a man and a woman. Moreover, this same man is my dance partner, of course. These people are professionals in their field. They share the knowledge, experience, professionalism with me, give advice and rejoice at my small victories. I appreciate it immensely. In addition, realizing their passion for the activity and desire to give me more, I want to do even more!
Every single time we record videos during our classes, and then I watch them in my free time and try to understand what exactly I can do and something I still need to work on. Twice a week I go to classes to the studio, which takes about two hours of my time to go one way. I don’t just want to dance better, I want to achieve more in this activity. So, realizing why I need it, commuting to the studio is not an obstacle for me!
My teacher has said recently, “You are a model student! We tell you what to do and you do it 100% because 99% is not enough for you.” This was surprising to me, as I live by the phrase, “I either do everything at 100% or I don’t do it at all!” This phrase is written in several of my books, but my teacher has not read my books, so she couldn’t know that.
Therefore, doing your job at 100% is the very diligence, which I began this article with. Evaluate what you are doing. Repeat to yourself your goal in this activity. Then write out an action plan: what exactly you need to do to achieve your goal. In my case, that is:
- classes twice a week;
- driving to the studio and listening to the Coffee Break Italian podcast on my way, which gives me the opportunity to practice two languages at the same time: English and Italian;
- in my free time I watch videos of professional dancers and re-watch mine, taking notes;
- I do crunches every day before going to bed, as this is a weak part of my body, which I want to improve to dance better;
- I try to work out in front of the mirror, practicing arm exercises at home in my free time.
I develop my dance habits, because I want to be even more prepared when I come to my classes next time.
In conclusion of this article, I wish you great success and great victories in every activity you do!
So, ask yourself why you are doing it. After answering this question, adjust your action plan. And do it!
DO NOT DOUBT IT! JUST DO WHAT YOU WANT!
My slogan in dancing is: No doubt! Just dance!
Main photo by Fellipe Ditadi
Translated by Anastasiia Moskalenko
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Author Julia
Основательница Сoffee Time Journal
