Dancers are perfectionists, no matter how high the achiever. Despite this, needing constant approval from your teachers, peers and even yourself can be detrimental for you both physically and mentally. It can result in doing too much, feeling anxious and not making enough time for yourself. Great results can sometimes be at the expense of other things, and it can be easy to forget what is important.
If this sounds familiar, focus on how the need for approval is causing you to work too hard – seeking approval can negatively impact your performance, as well as leading you to turn down new opportunities and challenges and even withdraw from dance or give up all together. Seeking constant approval can hold you back from doing the important things, being free to create and achieve.
It is difficult to ‘let go’ of needing others’ approval and to increase your own sense of self-worth and wellbeing. It is important to continue to build self-acceptance of yourself. Remind yourself of things you’re proud of or moments you achieved: when you feel that you’re not good enough remember those moments. Don’t let your inner critic run wild with your imagination – have confidence in your own ability and choices.
When you perform it is natural to think about and value the evaluation and opinions of others. Remember to value how you feel about the performance too, and what it meant to you – constructively evaluate how you could improve it for next time. When you take on a new commitment, think about your decision and how much of it is lead by what you want to do, don’t think too long or hard about deciding to do it for others’ approval. Do it because it’s right for you, and whether it is important to you.
Image courtesy of Wikimedia Commons.