These are the 2 most important keys to success & longevity as a freelance dancer (or entrepreneur of any kind):
1) Be willing to redefine your definition of "success." Often.
What you think you want out of your career is not always what will make you happy.
And what makes you FEEL successful is different from how you want to be seen as successful. Don't confuse the two.
"Success" will be different at different points in your life. What you want from ballet as an 18-year-old is not the same as what you'll want as a 40-year-old. Ballet has to evolve with you as you evolve as a person. Otherwise, you'll stay stuck in a definition of success that no longer suits you as you mature, causing you to resent ballet for holding you back (whether you realize it or not) & quit before you actually want to.
As an example from my own life, at the start of my career, I thought success meant working as much as possible, performing on big stages, & earning highly paid contracts. Now after being in the business more than 2 decades, I've found that the things that make me feel the most successful are not necessarily the big performances on epic stages but the small, simple moments of real, honest connection & craft. "Success" is no longer a numbers game... but a pursuit of deeper meaning & authenticity. Had I stubbornly held onto my definition of success from my twenties, I would have burned myself out long ago chasing things that were no longer fulfilling, instead of allowing my art to mature along with my life.
If you want ballet to grow with you (and allow yourSELF to grow)... you must change your definition of success... often.
2) Build your tolerance for planting seeds... without seeing any growth.
This is probably the most important skill to develop. One of the hardest things to do is consistently put the work in when it seems like you're not being rewarded for it.
Do it anyway.
This means:
- Networking.
- Being reliable.
- Showing up with your best energy.
- Following through on your word (and contracts!).
- Upkeep on your body & its performance ability.
- Upkeep on your aesthetics.
- Saying "yes" to opportunities (even if they are not ideal).
- Putting yourself out there physically & doing stuff (I call this "making luck").
- Marketing your authentic image/ideals through social media/advertising.
- Showing up to support other artists.
- Allowing yourself to be "seen."
You never know when things are going to hit. And from my experience, opportunities often hit all at once... seemingly out of nowhere. Like a wave of good fortune. Except it's not good fortune... it's good karma, built up by you because you refused to give up. Just because you aren't getting positive feedback or seeing results doesn't mean it's not working. A lot can happen under the surface before you see the fruit of your labor.
So plant your seeds and cast your nets... especially in the dark, quiet, lean times.
Does this resonate with you as a dancer or entrepreneur? I'd love to hear your thoughts and experience below!
Starts next week!
There's still time to join the FALL DETOX running September 9-22! This is such a great way to build confidence for the new season ahead and get back on track after a summer of (hopefully!) enjoying & indulging in life!
Check out the details below and sign up now!
