Competitors…Measuring progress with factors within your control

[CANI]

I couldn’t find a thread like this, but if there is one, I’m sure someone will help merge it…thanks…

I thought it would be interesting for competitors to share how they measure their progress from competition to competition with factors within their control.

So, for the purposes of this thread…results are out…competitive field is out…whether judges know you or not is out…only things that are within your control are in.

I don’t compete, but will share, for what it is worth, that I competed in track when I was younger. And while I gave it my all in practice and devised my own intense workouts on the weekends, I can’t recall ever winning a race on my own (did win 1 or 2 relays I think). For my first year, I came in 2nd to last, or last, in the last heat, in every 100 and 200 meter sprint I ran…and faired better, but still not winning, for the next three years running the longer sprints up to the 2 mile (my best race). I see similarities between running and competing in dance because you really are competing against yourself; unlike wrestling, where you are physically in contact with your competitor. I enjoyed my four years…and never once got discouraged at never winning, because I always worked hard and always saw my time, or stamina, or ability to ‘read the field’ to pace when I’d make the final sprint…get better over time. It was the progress that kept me fueled and happy.

So, how do competition dancers measure their results in ways that are within their control?

 

[fascination]

while results might be unreliable from comp to comp, a general upward trend over the course of a year is, in my view, a fair measure...another measure is to consistently be faring better than people to whom one previously lost...again, over more than one occasion...watching dvds to see whether or not specific problems have been corrected...owning and understanding one's own dancing well enough to know what you have fixed from comp to comp or even month to month without a comp...assessments from unbiased people who have observed you over time

 

[danceronice]

Whether or not my pros are pleased and think it was better than last time. What the videos look like.

 

[samina]

same as fasc -- the general arc of progress over time, a trend of garnering placements higher than those i previously lagged behind, recognizing improvement in my own body and dancing while on the floor (IMO, this is the best and the sweetest), receiving positive feedback from pros & judges, and seeing the changes on DVD.

i was also a track athlete when i was younger. in general, i found the experience of competing in track different from dancing in that it came more naturally and there were instant objective measurements for comparison. i loved competing and i loved winning (i loved *speed* and i loved the power of sprinting), and the sensation of racing & winning is quite different when running as compared to dancesport. though perhaps similar when losing. i would say the experience was similar insomuch as i eventually began to compete against runners who performed better than i did, and i experienced my body failing to perform as i wished it to -- that has been the primary theme for me for most of my dancing journey.

 

[CANI]

Thanks to those who have replied...interesting comments...

And just to stay true to what I'd be interested in learning from this thread, results (even those over time) fall under the category of outside your control...and the competitive field the same...not saying they aren't important for you or for many...just not the focus for this thread

 

[CANI]

in general, i found the experience of competing in track different from dancing.

I imagine it is. While off-topic, it was my, perhaps feeble, attempt to relate what I hope this thread will become -- examples of how it is possible to progress and enjoy in competition no matter the 'official' results of the sport and no matter what people, other than you the competitor, are doing. I think it is helpful to focus, for the most part, on things within one's control...although others may disagree.

 

[fascination]

Thanks to those who have replied...interesting comments...

And just to stay true to what I'd be interested in learning from this thread, results (even those over time) fall under the category of outside your control...and the competitive field the same...not saying they aren't important for you or for many...just not the focus for this thread

well...I will honor your wish ...BUT...some aspect of results are IME, within our control....hard work does show up in marks...the whole thing isn't a load of crap...it just has to be a big enough sample to cancel out the deviations....it is also possible to do some good leg-work on where good competitors will be and to therefore control some of that as well...but...to honor your request...beyond that, I really think the key is to log what needs work and log when it has improved...much like LG's thread that never really took off...which I think is largely due to the fact that alot of folks aren't in that practice...but folks who are, progress....of that, I am certain

 

[CANI]

well...I will honor your wish ...BUT...some aspect of results are IME, within our control....hard work does show up in marks...the whole thing isn't a load of crap...it just has to be a big enough sample to cancel out the deviations....it is also possible to do some good leg-work on where good competitors will be and to therefore control some of that as well...but...to honor your request...beyond that, I really think the key is to log what needs work and log when it has improved...much like LG's thread that never really took off...which I think is largely due to the fact that alot of folks aren't in that practice...but folks who are, progress....of that, I am certain

Thanks fascination...I am not in any way shape or form suggesting that the whole thing is a load of crap...I don't think that at all. And there is absolutely no doubt in my mind that practice and goals and all sorts of good things help in competition. I guess since I've joined DF, I've read a lot about competitors who are devastated by results or devastated that they can't take as many lessons as others, etc., so I thought it might be nice to have a thread for some competitors of things they can enjoy when those other things aren't falling in their direction despite their best efforts. After all, if you take 10 competitors...and all practice and do their best, all day long every day...on competition day, only one is going to be #1...no matter what...

 

[fascination]

re; "load of crap"...yes definately my words not yours

as to there only being one declared winner...excellent point which is why I definatively agree that results at one comp should never be taken too seriously...good or bad...and I tend to concur w/doi, my pro and I know whether or not I danced my best...regardless of where that puts me in relationship with others....if he felt that I danced well for me, and I agree it is a good thing no matter what happened to the marks...and if I danced poorly and placed well, same thing...I think this is again why it is important to practice with purpose and goals and a reason to tape oneself, see it, and fix it...nothing can take away from knowing that you have fixed something...and knowing you are improving...I am always content now when I know that

 

[samina]

i think that a trend of results in the sense of being competitive within a certain field are, ultimately, within one's control. or perhaps better to put it as, they do dependably reflect measurable output of hard work that is under one's control. for example, initially not being able to make a final at bronze or silver, then regularly placing in the top three or winning, and continuing on into the higher levels.

progressing from silver to open, and being competitive at that level -- meaning, being able to make a final out of a semi -- in my book are also ways that i have gauged my progress. and while individual placements are out of my control, a general trend i don't believe is out of my control...that's the beauty of hard work, goals, practice, and such. if i had worked my tuckus off as i have and not made that kind of measurable progress, i think i would be quite disheartened.

 

[latingal]

I am constantly working on the next thing that is going to improve my dancing. The subjects are chosen by my pros, a valued coach and myself. They are usually over reaching concepts, not single instances of movement.

For comps I measure my progress by watching the comp tape with my pro and get feedback on any visible progress or lack there of in the subjects we are working and overall. I also evaluate my physical and mental preparation leading up to and at the comp.

Final point of input, if pro and myself are happy with my dancing at the comp.

 

[CANI]

i think that a trend of results in the sense of being competitive within a certain field are, ultimately, within one's control. or perhaps better to put it as, they do dependably reflect measurable output of hard work that is under one's control. for example, initially not being able to make a final at bronze or silver, then regularly placing in the top three or winning, and continuing on into the higher levels.

progressing from silver to open, and being competitive at that level -- meaning, being able to make a final out of a semi -- in my book are also ways that i have gauged my progress. and while individual placements are out of my control, a general trend i don't believe is out of my control...that's the beauty of hard work, goals, practice, and such. if i had worked my tuckus off as i have and not made that kind of measurable progress, i think i would be quite disheartened.

I'll try one more time of what I'm trying to achieve here...whatever YOU do is within your control (hard work - yes! goals - yes! practice - yes!)...unless you are all the judges who mark your performance in every competition over time, what I'm trying to get at is that (whatever those marks are once or over time) is out of your control as defined for this thread...if you disagree...no problem...different thread, please....

 

[samina]

that's fine -- just sayin'.

i will say that it's completely within my control at what level i choose to compete...so if i choose to compete at a higher level and perform well, no matter the placement, i do recognize that as progress.

 

[CANI]

that's fine -- just sayin'.

i will say that it's completely within my control at what level i choose to compete...so if i choose to compete at a higher level and perform well, no matter the placement, i do recognize that as progress.

Great!! It would be great to share that with other competitors for this thread...so, it is within your control the level at which you choose to compete (and, we know, for others this is out of their control)...so you've chosen to compete at a higher level...share with us (without placement or reference to competitive field)...how you perform well and progress...as that would be on topic...

 

[CANI]

I am constantly working on the next thing that is going to improve my dancing. The subjects are chosen by my pros, a valued coach and myself. They are usually over reaching concepts, not single instances of movement.

Very Cool!