Embrace Discomfort
We would have liked espresso.
Really, we wanted time to get up, drink espresso, do some mild stretching, have a bit of dialog, after which, after all, begin our dance apply.
After which that morning ritual got here crashing down… and it was top-of-the-line 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 a giant competitors. We had anticipated her to want some relaxation earlier than we bought our classes began.
She had different plans. “Let’s get to the studio. We’ve got work to do.”
Whereas we had been anticipating a sluggish, recover-from-jet-lag buildup to full performance, Tonia had been planning all of the methods she was going to offer us our aggressive edge.
We arrived on the studio and we began our common 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 stated. 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 seemed 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 common heat as much as dance performance that actually had us reeling.
Trying again, it was the most likely the least comfy begin to a apply we had ever skilled. Coincidentally, it was probably the most pivotal moments in our coaching.
Trying again, Tonia taught us a lot greater than what we lined on the dance flooring throughout our classes that day. Listed below are just a few takeaways that I imagine may assist anybody with their dance interest.
1. Embrace Discomfort
It’s straightforward to persuade ourselves that prolonging one thing uncomfortable will by some means make it extra tolerable. Nothing might be farther from the reality.
Our sluggish 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 apply.
Tonia’s methodology 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 best way, the earlier you possibly can be taught 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 apply state of affairs that was fraught with challenges. All of our bodily techniques had been on alert.
It was the dance equal of a fireplace drill, and the outcome 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.
Thankfully, there was a voice in our lives that was prepared to push us again heading in the right direction. To hunt out the problem hidden on the opposite aspect of our plateau.
As an Arthur Murray pupil, you’ve confronted challenges that few individuals 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 could possibly by no means be taught – you’ve overcome a lot. However now will not be 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 stated “Progress 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 probably be arriving in September.