During these uncertain times, a Vision for your future could be exactly the inspiration you need to stay focused on your goals without fear. In times of uncertainty or stress, a Vision provides a light at the end of a sometimes challenging tunnel.

In business, a Vision is written to define purpose and direction. A personal Vision can be used in a similar way to guide and motivate you towards your biggest goals and dreams.

When I work with dancers individually, one of the first things we do is create a Vision. 

My client Malena wrote a Vision for her future. She imagined her ideal life in 1, 3, and 5 years in the future. She saw herself ultimately getting a contract with Pacific Northwest Ballet.

From her end goals, we worked backwards to craft smaller goals. They included getting into the PNB Summer Intensive, then getting accepted into the Professional Division. From there, she could get the contract offer.

Malena always had her Vision to come back to when things got tough or stressful. It was the “why” behind her hard work. It provided motivation when she was lacking and pushed her to stay focused and on task.

She was just offered her contract with PNB and was amazed. She said, “I can’t believe it, it’s exactly what I wrote in my Vision 3 years ago.”

How to write your own Vision:

Dream big! If you had a magic wand, what would your life look like in 1 year? 3 years? 5 years? 

Write your Vision in the present tense (e.g., I am dancing with Carolina Ballet as an apprentice), and include all the life details that get you excited. Think about where you’re dancing, what your position is, roles you’d like to perform, where you live, how you feel, what lights you up.

From your Vision, craft your goals:

This is about imagining what’s possible for your future if you really go for it. These goals are about the steps and work you have to do to make that Vision a reality.

Some goals might be more concrete: “I’ll attend the PNB Summer intensive and get into the highest level.” While others might be more abstract: “I’ll improve my mindset so I can dance with greater confidence in auditions and classes.”

Whichever goals you’re looking at, make sure you come up with action steps that can support you in reaching your desired outcome. For the examples above, what technical aspects of your dancing need work to help you get into the intensive? How will you work on them?

For the mindset piece, maybe you’ll employ daily positive journaling exercises to shift your thought patterns or work with a coach to gain additional insights into what might be holding you back.

Think about where you should train in order to dance with the company of your dreams. Are there any connections you can make or people you can work with to get closer to your goals?

Why dancers benefit from a clear Vision:

It inspires you to focus on what matters. When times get tough and you’re struggling, you’ll have a clear reason to continue to show up and do your best.

Creating a Vision draws from infinite possibilities, so it might make you uncomfortable. What if your Vision doesn’t happen? If you get too stuck in that way of thinking, you’ll likely self-sabotage.

Instead, stay focused on all the ways you can make your Vision a reality. If you’re in a place of self-doubt, address that, just like you would a necessary technical improvement. 

The more you believe your Vision is possible, as lofty as it might be, the greater likelihood you’ll achieve it!

photo of Malena by Lindsay Thomas Photo

The post The Power of a Clear Vision appeared first on The Whole Dancer.

It can help you to process and heal your emotions, increase your self – confidence by reliving positive experiences, and it can even strengthen your self – discipline (not that dancers tend to be lacking much in that area).

One of our biggest fears as dancers is that we won’t “make it” professionally. Are you going to get a job offer? And if you do, will you be able to stay injury free and maintain that job?

Journaling can help you to work through those fears and feel confident that you’ll find a way to move forward no matter what happens.

First thing in the morning, this is my little morning routing, I get a huge glass of water and grab my journal. Find a peaceful place to sit – for me this changes from day to day and write my “Be, Do and Have” list.

Even though there’s a phone in this picture, I’d encourage you to start the day without your phone!! That way you can just focus in on yourself and your goals without any outside influences.

The “Be, Do, Have” list is a good way to reconnect to your goals in a positive way each and every day.

1. Be : what do you want to be or what kind of person do you want to be? i.e. kind, successful, a corps dancer with Miami City Ballet, etc.
2. Do : what do you want to do? i.e. to perform my best in the studio and on stage, to dance the role of Aurora in Sleeping Beauty, to go on a hike every day.
3. Have : what do you hope to have in your life? i.e. A comfortable living space with beautiful furnishings, lots of healthy food to eat, friends you can depend on.

My favorite part about this list is that it can be different every day. Whatever you’re going through in life or dance can change what you’d like to “Be, Do and Have”. So it might just reveal something surprising!

When you look at your list you can think about how those things influence each other. Do they connect together? Or is something not aligned? Sometimes the things we “want” don’t align with who we want to “be”. And that’s OK! Seeing it on paper is going to help you connect to your truth.

Ok, your turn! What would you like to “Be, Do, and Have”?

The post “Be, Do, Have” – Get clarity for success! appeared first on The Whole Dancer.