When I first started learning syllabus I saw my pro do open routines and I set a goal to be able do that with him. I’ve achieved that goal, which was probably a life list goal. I have had to let go of technical goals because of body issues. That makes me sad, but then I remember how awesome it feels just to dance and it’s ok.
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Do you tell people what your goals are? Is it normal to not have any or only vague goals?
- Thread starter VronskyWasSoVain
- Start date
Dance Redeemer
Well-Known Member
I've been giving this a lot of thought because I found it a pretty interesting question for me. I feel like my long term goals are vague, and tend to be focused on the journey, or what I want out of the journey itself, rather than achieving any kind of end-game. I do not tend to share these, and realize for a lot of these I have an "emotional" understanding rather than an ability to put them into clear words that would communicate them effectively to someone else. I don't find it limiting that these are vague. And when, from time to time, I recognize that I've achieved something that had become a marker for me on the journey, it's very empowering. I also have recognized that some of these markers/achievements are pretty petty, and I would never, ever admit to them to anyone out loud. But even those have been quite satisfying.
With medium goals, I share a lot with my current Pro. He is really good about helping me put together a plan to meet the goals. (Also, if I do not have a plan, he has a plan that he will implement, which may or may not be in line with my own interests.) I also share with my coaches, doctor, trainer, dietician, etc. (depending on who I'm working with/have access to at any point in time), but outside of my Pro, usually it's with respect to a specific issue or specific goal (e.g., increase flexibility and strength in lats, improve fluidity of heel turns in standard, or whatever) that I know will take a while to achieve, but that (1) I think I can achieve at some point, and (2) can be clearly summed up and outside input will help. I will especially seek out help if I am struggling to make progress to a mid-term goal, where I feel I should be able to achieve it or see improvement.
I tend to share short-term goals with anyone who will listen. While my long term goals seem to have an emotional tie in that I am unable or unwilling to express or admit (even sometimes to myself), my short term goals seem more akin to telling someone I'm going to the market for milk - very targeted, specific, highly likely to be achieved, and bland.
With medium goals, I share a lot with my current Pro. He is really good about helping me put together a plan to meet the goals. (Also, if I do not have a plan, he has a plan that he will implement, which may or may not be in line with my own interests.) I also share with my coaches, doctor, trainer, dietician, etc. (depending on who I'm working with/have access to at any point in time), but outside of my Pro, usually it's with respect to a specific issue or specific goal (e.g., increase flexibility and strength in lats, improve fluidity of heel turns in standard, or whatever) that I know will take a while to achieve, but that (1) I think I can achieve at some point, and (2) can be clearly summed up and outside input will help. I will especially seek out help if I am struggling to make progress to a mid-term goal, where I feel I should be able to achieve it or see improvement.
I tend to share short-term goals with anyone who will listen. While my long term goals seem to have an emotional tie in that I am unable or unwilling to express or admit (even sometimes to myself), my short term goals seem more akin to telling someone I'm going to the market for milk - very targeted, specific, highly likely to be achieved, and bland.
VronskyWasSoVain
Active Member
I've learned to selectively share my goals in dance (unfortunately, in my opinion). As a fairly private person, some of the early experiences I had with trying to be more open around the studio did not go well.
My experience has been that a large number of people tell you why your goals are flat-out not possible, rather than helping you make a plan to reach them or helping you adjust them to something that is achievable. And frankly, that's just not the kind of energy I need in my life.
I can totally relate to this. Sometimes the people you think would be supportive can actually be resentful or jealous. And yeah, I've definitely gotten negative energy from certain people before when I told them my loft goals. I'd rather just keep the goals to myself and quietly work towards them rather than make them known to people. I just can't deal with it.