What I learnt from being a professional dancer

You may or may not know but most of my career has been on a stage. I have danced since I was 5 years old and did so professionally up until became a mummy. My hips and my back might have something to say if I tried to be in a show team again!

I’m not really sure where I get my love for the stage from, no one else in my family did anything remotely similar. It was something I was definitely born for though. Feeling the lights on your face and the energy coming from the audience. Looking out and seeing just a black sea of people. Hearing laugh, clap and cheer right on que. Holding their breath when you’re in the air.

It’s a different world. A world with a glamourous exterior. A world with a different reality. I learnt a lot in the world of entertainment and I think it’s why I’m so good at what I do now.

Teamwork

Honestly, the show cannot go one if you don’t work together as a team. What most people don’t realise is sometimes you may not like the people you’re smiling at and having a great time with on stage. To me this is true teamwork. When a group of people can not necessarily be close, they may actively dislike each other. Yet they can work together to make the show look and feel flawless to anyone watching. Some might say this is just acting or fake. but the trust you have to have in each other to do their job is massive. Especially if you’re doing lifts or something dangerous. Being able to pull together no matter what is defiantly an underrated skill.

Resilience

I got weighed every month. I got told I was too small, too tall, too blonde, to heavy, to thin, too young, too old. Yet I still went to audition after audition. Rehearsal after rehearsal. Class after class. You need pretty thick skin. Whilst I really think the mental health of performers is something that is not talked about or considered any where near enough I do think for me personally it built me a very thick skin. It has its downsides though, I really struggle to accept praise or a compliment but I’ve leant over time though it’s ok to just say thank you politely.

Focus

The focus it takes to learn and retain 6 different full shows then get onboard a cruise ship and perform them on a ship that is moving. Take a lot of things and focus is definitely one of them. Training from the age of 5 through college to then keep training to get auditions to keep going through the jobs takes focus. When I’m in the zone, I’m locked in.

Commitment

You’ve got to be fully committed to get to where you want to be. There’s no way you’re getting there without full all in dedication. I definitely see this now when I decide to do something I’m all in I don’t really do anything by halves.

Problem solving

I only need one example for this one and anyone who has been a dancer or taken class will totally get it if you’ve heard:

‘Get from there to the other side of the stage in 8 counts(passing the entire cast of moving people) make sure your arms don’t look weird, stop on count 1 AND SMILE’

If I can do that, trust me your problem, I can solve any problem you have.

I absolutely treasure my time as a dancer and if people ask I still say I’m a dancer. It wasn’t really a job it’s who I am. I know I’ll grace the stage again one day. That I’m certain of.

I love how I’ve been able to bring that part of me to my business and share it with my clients.

Would love to know what skills you have from a past life that serve you well today.

AC

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