Embrace Discomfort
We would have liked espresso.
Really, we wanted time to get up, drink espresso, do some mild stretching, have somewhat dialog, after which, in fact, begin our dance observe.
After which that morning ritual got here crashing down… and it was among the finest issues that ever occurred to us.
Throughout the time that Daisey and I had been nonetheless competing professionally, we discovered many classes about dancing, and being higher dance companions collectively. However one lesson got here within the type of an individual, touring all over the world, and it tipped our universe upside-down.
Tonia Kosovich, our longtime dance coach, traveled from Australia to San Francisco to work with us main as much as an enormous competitors. We had anticipated her to want some relaxation earlier than we acquired our classes began.
She had different plans. “Let’s get to the studio. We’ve work to do.”
Whereas we had been anticipating a gradual, recover-from-jet-lag buildup to full performance, Tonia had been planning all of the methods she was going to provide us our aggressive edge.
We arrived on the studio and we began our regular pre-practice routine – the espresso, the stretching, the dialog, extra espresso. That’s, till Tonia redirected us.
“What are you doing?” she requested.
“Making espresso.” I answered.
“Not proper now you’re not” she mentioned. It was not a suggestion.
And that’s when her plans knocked over our plans like a kangaroo kick to the chest. I set the espresso down.
“I want you to get on the ground and present me your 5 dances. Full out, continuous, full pace. No excuses.”
She appeared on as we labored by means of our Cha-Cha, Rumba, Swing, Bolero and Mambo routines. We had been in a state of shock. It wasn’t simply the 0 to 100 in bodily effort, however the upending of our regular heat as much as dance performance that actually had us reeling.
Wanting again, it was the most likely the least snug begin to a observe we had ever skilled. Coincidentally, it was probably the most pivotal moments in our coaching.
Wanting again, Tonia taught us a lot greater than what we coated on the dance ground throughout our classes that day. Listed below are a number of takeaways that I imagine may assist anybody with their dance passion.
1. Embrace Discomfort
It’s straightforward to persuade ourselves that prolonging one thing uncomfortable will someway make it extra tolerable. Nothing may very well be farther from the reality.
Our gradual begin to our practices didn’t make the 100%, full out, problem really feel any simpler. If something, it set the bar low sufficient that we wouldn’t attain that 100% stage till the tail finish of a observe.
Tonia’s technique of getting us dance our full array of aggressive dances, full out, proper from the start was a masterclass in embracing discomfort. The earlier you get it out of the way in which, the earlier you possibly can study and develop from it.
2. Consider – Even If You’re Good
Success might be the enemy of success.
What Tonia Kosovich taught us that day went far past dancing.
In doing so, she helped us create a observe state of affairs that was fraught with challenges. All of our bodily programs had been on alert.
It was the dance equal of a fireplace drill, and the consequence was one thing that propelled us in each our competitors and instructing careers.
We bumped into an issue many individuals expertise day-after-day. We had discovered the trail of least resistance… and loved the convenience of that journey.
Fortuitously, there was a voice in our lives that was keen to push us again heading in the right direction. To hunt out the problem hidden on the opposite facet of our plateau.
As an Arthur Murray pupil, you’ve confronted challenges that few folks ever will. From strolling by means of the door to your first lesson, to making an attempt out that dance you had been satisfied you can by no means study – you’ve overcome a lot. However now just isn’t the time to accept the simple path.
Whether or not it’s with an upcoming occasion, or a brand new stage in your program, it’s time to embrace the discomfort. It’s the place all the expansion takes place. Gianni Rometty as soon as mentioned “Development and luxury don’t coexist” and I couldn’t agree extra.
So take that subsequent step towards the scary factor.
And in case you’re nonetheless unsure, don’t fear. Tonia will likely be arriving in September.
