Happy Monday! Let's talk about accomplishing goals! If you're anything like me, when I set out to achieve a goal, small or large, it usually lives in my mind constantly for days. It doesn't matter if the goal is auditioning for a pro dance team, getting a 4.0 for the semester, living on my own, or just checking off all the boxes on my to-do list for the day, you can accomplish anything you set your mind to! So here's my quick guide to setting your goals and sticking to them. I'm going to use my experience when I auditioned for the University of Kentucky Dance Team.
1. Find out what your goal is and promise yourself you will achieve your goal. You have to be serious about this goal. This applies for both long term and short term goals. Speaking fromexperience, if you're not really into the end result you either aren't going to get there or it's going to be a struggle. That's why it's crucial that this goal is important to you. When I decided to audition for a college dance team, it was a burning desire in my heart. I based my college choices around where I wanted to dance. I wanted to go to a big state school where the dance team competed at UDA Nationals. After a lot of research and social media stalking I set my heart on the University of Kentucky. Go Cats!
2. Make a plan on how you will accomplish your goal. What good is the end result if you don't know how you're going to get there? If you like to make lists I suggest writing your plan down so it becomes real and something you can see on a daily basis. Write it on your mirror or on a note card to stick in your pocket or purse. Read it when you wake up in the morning and when you go to bed. My research continued on how I would become a member of UKDT. How did the dancers on the team dance? What kind of dances did they do? How did they perform? I observed what type of dancers they were and took notes on where I needed to be.
3. Execute your plan. Just do it! You've made a physical or mental list, now it's time to put that plan into action. Make yourself accountable and never take your eyes off the prize. This might be the MOST important step to achieving goals. HARD WORK PAYS OFF! You must put in the work in order to get what you want. If you're tired, think about what it will feel like to live your dream. You need to find out what motivates you and then get up and do it. When I was preparing to audition for UKDT I attended the clinics they hosted, I taught myself new tricks, I danced harder, worked out more and ate better, I also TOLD people about how I was auditioning for the team, and I also had awesome coaches, friends, and family who supported me and helped me along the way.
- Visualize your goal
- Vocalize your goal
4. Push through setbacks. Whenever you feel that you are falling short of your goal, use your emotions to motivate you to push further and dream bigger. Nothing great was ever accomplished without blood, sweat, and tears...unless you are really lucky. Setbacks happen to everyone. What's important is how you push through and come out on top. Dancers auditioning for the University of Kentucky Dance Team must be invited, either by sending in a video or attending the clinic and receiving a video bypass. Of course I wanted a bypass when I attended the UKDT clinic. Unfortunately I didn't receive a bypass, but that's OK! I kept working on my skills and performance, sent in a video, and was accepted to the in person audition. :)
5. Accomplish your goal. By this time you are right on the cusp of achieving your goal, and you are ready! You have prepared, you planned, you put in the work, you motivated yourself, and you BELIEVE IN YOURSELF! I have to say that again, BELIEVE IN YOURSELF!! If you believe you can achieve your dreams, then you absolutely can. Stay focused, rely on your training, and go out there and dance for your life. You've GOT THIS! UKDT's audition was over the span of 3 days when I auditioned my first year. My dad and I drove to Lexington, KY for the weekend and stayed in a hotel. I practiced, practiced, and practiced some more that weekend. I even practiced with the car stereo out in the parking lot of Outback Steakhouse! I'll never forget those moments. I performed to the best of my ability during the audition and I am so proud of myself! We found out the results of the audition one day later. I ran laps around my house when I found out I made the team! It was literally a LIFE CHANGING moment.
Accomplishing your goal is important, but remember to enjoy the process and journey along the way. :) Remember the work you put in and how you got there because it will help you achieve your next goal in the future.
Thanks for reading! :)