How a non-professional dancer can keep his life balanced?

[vey]

Since I’ve got a salsa bug several month ago, my everyday life changed significantly and I’m not only referring to afterhours: I find it difficult to spend the whole day at work without looking up some dancing info on the web or reading/posting on my beloved DF, and even when I’m not doing these things at work, I think about dance-related issues (not to mention practicing the moves :lol: :lol: :lol: ). My job is not 9-5 /5 days a week kind of deal, it’s very demanding and intellectual and I’m really not sure what’s the best way to deal with this situation.

ADVICE NEEDED :!: :!: :!: :!: :!: :!: :!: :!: :!: :!:

Do not misunderstand me: I love my job and before contracting the salsa bug, it was the most important thing in my life.

[golddancer]

Since I’ve got a salsa bug several month ago, my everyday life changed significantly and I’m not only referring to afterhours: I find it difficult to spend the whole day at work without looking up some dancing info on the web or reading/posting on my beloved DF, and even when I’m not doing these things at work, I think about dance-related issues (not to mention practicing the moves :lol: :lol: :lol: ). My job is not 9-5 /5 days a week kind of deal, it’s very demanding and intellectual and I’m really not sure what’s the best way to deal with this situation.

ADVICE NEEDED :!: :!: :!: :!: :!: :!: :!: :!: :!: :!:

Do not misunderstand me: I love my job and before contracting the salsa bug, it was the most important thing in my life.

Dear Vey,

You have got the dance bug bad. I know I have been there and still am susceptible to it. It is our enthusiasm for something we love. I still have tango and salsa bad. :wink:

Since your job is not a strict 9-5 my suggestions to you are

1. to schedule in a dance break--either to practice a move or look something up on the net. Make time for it and then that way when temptation strikes you can tell yourself to wait to the next dance break.

2. Don't beat yourself up too much. You have the discipline to have a non traditional job so you can put dance in prespective.

3. Dance hard during after hours. Channel the energy.

4. Continue to share your enthusiam with someone: in person or on the chat boards.

Good luck. Hope these tips help. :banana:

[pygmalion]

I'm in no position to give advice. As you can see, I'm addicted too. But what I've done lately is put dance on my planning calendar, just like appointments and meetings. So I schedule when I'm going to log in to DF, or when I'm going to the doctor's office, when I have a lesson, or when I'm going to practice. The hard part is that it takes a lot of self discipline not to exceed those appointed times. *shrug* Some days are better than others. :oops: :lol:

[pygmalion]

Oh yeah, and I forgot to mention this. Another option is to become a dance professional. Not necessarily a teacher -- there's not a lot of money in that. But there are a lot of dance-related jobs out there. Costumers, comp promoters, DJ's, product providers of all sorts. You name it. Another thing (which I am considering, btw) is to just do what you love for a living. No conflict of interests, then. 8)

[MadamSamba]

Hey, vey! I can't cast the first stone either. I found myself doing the same thing...especially looking at dance sites during work hours and thinking incessantly of dancing.

I control it now by keeping strict "dance time" and "work time".

I adore and appreciate my job, but like you, am horridly addicted, and am often thinking of the coming evening's dance events or the previous evenings antics. But now I put on a "mask" so to speak.

When I walk through the big glass doors to work, I'm in "work mode" and only when I walk out, be it for lunch or to go home, do I allow myself to think of dancing. Of course, I'm thinking dancing on the train in and out and during my lunch break and can't help it wafting into my mind during the day, but when I'm in the confines of my office, I don't allow (at least I try not to allow) myself to think of dancing.

That also means I allow myself to go dance-crazy after hours (yeah, baby), but it means I pay the due respect to my job and my employer with the added benefit of keeping a little badly needed "balance" in my life.

It may not work for everyone, but it works for me...hope that helps, Vey.

[Adwiz]

This is a common problem with dancers, especially those with a competitive nature who want to achieve excellence.

I've had the dance bug for a year and a half now, and there are no signs that it is decreasing. It certainly has affected my work, but I think of it as a healthy change, because too much of my life was focused around work for way too long.

My solution has been the same as those already mentioned, scheduling dance time, but I also make a point of practicing during my lunch break several times a week. This gets it out of my system till lesson time in the evenings, letting me get back to focus on work.

My biggest challenge, as someone who routinely works on ads and reviews video footage and commercials, is that I'm often tempted to put in a competition or show dance DVD or video during that process, getting distracted yet again! Aarrgh! The bug!! The bug!!!

[Sagitta]

First no dancing at all, then sort of, then lots of dancing/DF/etc etc...I had it pretty bad first, but now am getting better. Just like others have said it is a matter of discipline, deciding when to concentrate on work and when to take a break, and giving it 110% whatever I'm doing. I work a 9-5 job, but I have the freedom to do what I want within broad limits. So, discipline/time management is essential. I tend to focus on completing certain tasks and then I reward myself with dance related stuff. Or, if it is a tedious task I can do in my sleep, (of which I do many when there is no student staff during breaks), I'll allow myself to move to salsa music while doing it.

Outside work again everything 110%!! I'm moving back to a more balanced lifestyle, with playing badminton with a group of people once a week early evening, another night for catholic grad group. Then when I go dancing tis' the rare occassion you find me sitting down!!

[borikensalsero]

OK, I see things a beat differently than most. It isn’t a problem unless we make it a problem. This is happening to us for a reason and we must learn to deal with it one way or another regardless of outcome. We create our own path, so because a change or an event in our life seems negative it doesn’t mean that it is. I work 9 to 5 as well. My job is to solve logic problems that seem not to have solutions, which I then have to return to the users as a program with the use of a GUI. :cry: I love my job, but being a salsero means my lifestyle is salsa, not salsa as a side kick. I have failed to meet a few deadlines because of my few distractions during the day, (DF and writing about salsa), but by the time the users get their end product, they are happy to forget the deadline. Thank god…

I have finally trained myself to work efficiently with salsa music playing. I put my headphones on and bust out at whatever I'm doing, I tend to listen to salsa that I consider listening so I can groove all day and satisfy the need for it without sacrificing the very thing that allows me to eat every day (Job). Towards the end of the day, I then start playing dance style music to get me geared up for a dancing night.

My Lady Love tells me that my priorities are all screwed up, to which I think she needs more salsa in her life. I’ve had the mambo dance bug for 3 or 4 years, It has intensified with time rather than lessened, I see it as a plus for I am much happier now than I have ever been in my life. When things get tough at work and I need ultimate attention for my job, it means that I will be playing salsa music as well, for if I don’t, I will become distracted thinking about DF, dancing, and won’t get any work done.

Thanks to you guys, DF has become another addiction, and good addictions are always welcomed. I love feeding off of you guys passion. It is great to hear it and feel your passion grown post by post. I love it, and never wish it otherwise. Work minus Salsa = not caring about my job. Just my take.

[vey]

Dear golddancer, pygmalion, MadamSamba, Adwiz, Sagitta! Thank you so much for all your feedback and advice. It also helps on emotional level to know that fellow dancers have similar issues to deal with....

Dance breaks :!: A great idea - I'm having one right now :)
Discipline and time managment... I needed someone to tell me that , I've chosen to be in denial...

And, as usual, I like your angle Boriken
OK, I see things a beat differently than most. It isn’t a problem unless we make it a problem. This is happening to us for a reason and we must learn to deal with it one way or another regardless of outcome.

I'm so bad that I've even forgot to mention that I'm constantly wearing headphones at work and listen to salsa: my ears hurt from being always pressed against my scalp :) :(

[Vince A]

Picture this . . .

You are "juggling" balls with your hands . . . the balls in your hands are your 'down' days. The balls in the air are your 'up' days. Everyone on this earth has down days and up days. Learning how to juggle all of those days will keep you in balance . . .

Juggling is what you do and do not do to get you through each and every second of the day . . . make the most of each second. Live each moment to the fullest . . . live for today . . . don't strive for perfection - there is no such thing!

[vey]

Live each moment to the fullest . . . live for today . . . don't strive for perfection - there is no such thing!
I've always thought that that's the way to live a life but only since I've started dancing I finally started living that way

[hopelessly_addicted]

Live each moment to the fullest . . . live for today . . . don't strive for perfection - there is no such thing!
I've always thought that that's the way to live a life but only since I've started dancing I finally started living that way

Ditto :x :cry: :roll: :D for me, so much mixed feeling when it comes to dancing but hey, that's love I guess...

[MacMoto]

Do not misunderstand me: I love my job and before contracting the salsa bug, it was the most important thing in my life.
Hmm... if your job used to be the most important thing in your life, and now you have found something more important in your life outside your work but you still love your job, then I'd say your life is actually *more* balanced now than before... :roll:

[cocodrilo]

MY question, Vey-
Are you a HE or a SHE? I thought you were a SHE but the title of your thread suggests otherwise. :?

[squirrel]

Well... I have this "virus" myself!

And it is bad! Very bad! And, worse, I'm also involved in teaching (I have my school) and this only adds up to the problem!

I try to deal with is as much as I can! I use Boriken's approach!

But, lemme tell ya, the moment I make enough money from Salsa, it's bye-bye job!
:)

[Twilight_Elena]

I think dance breaks are essential to survival. Dance addiction is hell at first, as it feels like you'll never be able to combine your dance life with everything else. But it gets better. Try to keep your cool and seperate your work hours from your dance hours in your head.
Good luck is the only thing I can wish you, I guess. :D

Twilight Elena

[pygmalion]

But, lemme tell ya, the moment I make enough money from Salsa, it's bye-bye job!
:)

I have a feeling you're not the only one. :roll: :lol: