In dance and in life, we all have goals. Sometimes the only thing standing between us and achieving them is knowing where to start. That’s where the guidance of the SMART goal system can help.
Set goals that are:
- Specific: “I want to get better at turns” is a great goal to have. A specific goal would look like, “I want to improve my pirouettes. I want to master a double turn.”
- Measurable: What markers can you use to measure your progress? Maybe you’re great at single turns on the right, but not so much on the left. First you need to master single turns on both left and right before working your way up to double turns.
- Attainable: Goals need to be realistic. No one is an overnight success. Goals are reached by an accumulation of baby steps and hard work. If you’re not a master of multiple pirouettes yet, your first goal you set would not be, “being able to do multiple pirouettes into a series of fouetté turns.” This is a fantastic goal to have, but not an attainable starting point.
- Relevant: Does the goal you are setting make sense? If your competition dance requires a lot of intricate jumping, should you set your goals on better turns? Again, while overall improvement is a great way to think, it’s best to concentrate your efforts where they’re the most useful.
- Time-Based: Give yourself a deadline. Goals are more concrete when we budget the time needed to complete them. “I want to master double pirouettes by the time we start recital choreography in March” is a great time-based guideline.
The SMART goal system is simple and effective. You can use it in dance and life. Share your goals with us! We’d love to support you.
