Get Motivated
By Karen

So how do you get or stay motivated to practice dancing if you're on your own? I find it interesting and quite helpful to hear how everyone convinces themselves to get off the couch and dance, or to put down that dishtowel and do some dancing for a change!

For me, dancing is something I look forward to doing regularly, so I don't need much motivation to actually dance if I have a class or practice to go to. But if I am on my own, whether the kids are at school, or there just happens to be a lull in my hectic chauffeuring around town...... sometimes I tend to say “Oh, I'm just going to listen to the music and dance it in my head“ , I should be practicing the full movement with the intensity that I will be performing it with (Thanks Michelle Morrison for this GREAT advice!) and with the emotions I want to convey. It is times like these when I need to really work on motivating myself, and quit the procrastinating that has come to be a norm for me.

Here are some tips and suggestions that I use to help me through times like these.

FIRST OF ALL: Be realistic in your goals and expectations. If you only have one or two hours a week that you can devote to practicing, don't set a goal that would require you to practice 2 hours a night. All you will do is frustrate yourself over your lack of progress, and possibly end up quitting altogether since it will seem so overwhelming. Setting small short-term attainable goals will allow you to record your progress and this in itself has a motivating effect. Keep a dedicated note book with lists of what you want to accomplish and how long you think it might take. Give yourself PLENTY'O TIME ........that way if you reach your goal more quickly you'll feel more of a sense of accomplishment.

SECOND: Have a dedicated dance space. Now, I don't mean convert your garage or a room in your house into a dance studio ( although, I am continually trying to convince my husband that is exactly what I NEED!! ) If you can...go for it, but if you can't, join the crowd and remember what you want to create is not a room, but a space or aura so that you know that it is the time for to dance. Here are a few ideas of how you might be able to accomplish this. First, find a place in your house where you can practice uninterrupted. (This probably involves a family meeting where you need to explain to everyone that YOU NEED THIS SMALL AMOUNT OF TIME AND SPACE TO YOURSELF and get them to agree to leave you alone for 30 minutes or however long you decide, and I know it is much easier said than done, and harder to enforce, but well worth the effort, because it is so important to have your own time and place to practice without distractions. You can buy one of those cheap long mirrors people usually have on the back of their bathroom doors, and prop it up against the furniture if you want to work with a mirror. I think mirrors are imperative for where I am at in my learning at this point in time, but I don't want to get too attached to it because eventually, I will have to dance without it! So when that time comes, take the mirror down and slide it back under the bed.

You don't really need much physical space in which to dance, unless you are practicing traveling moves, or spinning! So, I usually dance in the little space between the coffee table and the TV -- about 3' by 3'.

Try to create an emotional mood by lighting incense, or a candle. Any of your five senses that you can involve in distinguishing this “sacred time“ will make it more acceptable to your mind that this is what needs to be done, plus,the more senses we incorporate into the learning process, the easier it is to retain and recall.

Wear something that makes you feel like a bellydancer. Harem pants and a choli , a unitard with your most colorful hipscarf, etc. Wear some jewelry, makeup, head scarves, a bindi or whatever makes you feel like a “REAL“bellydancer. Remember that old saying, “If you are going to play the part, you need to dress the part!”?

Now, back to goal setting for a minute. The following information I've pulled from various sources for adult learners, and I've used them all successfully in one situation or another. I suggest at least considering them and giving a try to one or all of them.

Anything goal that you can write down or draw, you are more likely to accomplish. One of the easiest ways to do this is with a personal contract. I like to sign a contract with myself that I will learn “xyz“ material in ”abc“ amount of time. I've been doing this long enough that I know what is realistic, and I can usually keep to my stated time frame...., although occasionally, I get overly ambitious and make BIG PLANS. I am sure you will do that too, but, that's when you get to revise your goals!!!!! It's not a failure.....it is being realistic!!

When I first got Keti Sharif's A-Z choreography video I figured I would master the 26 combinations in 26days....HA!!....................not!!. After two month's of working with it, I had to SERIOUSLY reconsider and reevaluate how long it was going to take me.
Again, this isn't a failure, it's just a revision. Something very successful people do all of the time.

Posting the contract in my dance space, on the calendar, on the refrigerator, on my bathroom mirror and anywhere else helps me to remember that I have a goal I want to accomplish, is a gentle and frequent reminder when I can think of a hundred other things that NEED TO GET DONE!

Another idea is to retain your contracts in a book, so you can see what you've accomplished. This can be EXTREMELY motivating, and a huge boost to your self- esteem....., especially when you can recall how difficult a particular goal seemed at one time. If you're working your way through every tape in your library, keep lists of the ones you have already mastered and refer to the list often when you need a boost. Or keep the old tapes on a dedicated shelf, and see that grow. The trick to keeping yourself motivated is being able to identify your accomplishments and achieved goals. When things look bleak or too difficult, you can look back on all the progress you've made, and remember that once upon a time, that first goal you set seemed SO far away, but YOU DID IT!

Finally, REWARD yourself once you've accomplished your goal. Put a gold sticker ( or bindi!)on your calendar, buy a new CD or video, or treat yourself SOMEHOW, a massage or pedicure is always lovely!!

Remember, you worked hard and you deserve a treat.

Share this accomplishment with others, not only by telling them, but dance for your friends and family so that they can share your joy too. And once you've completed one goal, don't waste ANY time setting another one. Professional writers don't rest on their laurels when they finish one book. They immediately start on another. You be sure to DO THE SAME!!

If you follow through with these suggestions, you will be amazed at what you can accomplish and once you get the ball rolling, it's easy to build up momentum!!

Farfesha Belly Dance © 2004