Dancing out of your comfort zone
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Photo by Javier Allegue Barros on Unsplash
What's your version of a comfort zone?
What limits do you place on yourself?
Does settling in your comfort zone affect your ability to dream BIG?
Is staying in your comfort zone really comforting or just familiar? Aka, sticking to what you know.
These questions have been in my mind over the last few years. While I haven't answered all of them yet, I am enjoying the process of intentionally stepping out of the confines I have placed on myself and my capabilities.
If you are considering joining a new club, picking up an interest, or developing a unique skill set, this article is for you!
If your interests differ from your friend group and you need a confidence boost/push off the airplane when skydiving into the unknown, this article is for you!
If you have already made the leap to starting a new hobby but need the two M's: motivation and momentum to continue to build your skills, this article is for you!
Today, I will share what tools I've used on my journey, learning how to DANCE out of my comfort zone… into the world of salsa, bachata, merengue, and a sprinkle or little dab of kizomba dance!
Time & consistency are your best friends!
Usually, if you do something consistently for an extended timeframe, you are bound to be better than you were when you first started. Don't believe me? Here are some famous people who have driven into being the most talented within the vehicle of consistency:
Serena Williams- In the summer, when growing up as kids, Serena and her sister, Venus Williams, trained from 9-11 am and then 1-6 pm Monday through Friday and on Saturdays from 9-12 pm.
Beyonce- Father trained the Destiny Child's members as young children. He had them wake up in the morning, run 3-mile tracks, and sing while running to help with breath control! They would do this for hours every day. No wonder she is one of the most outstanding performers. She has been training all of her life!
Usain Bolt- Trained six days a week, 11 months a year, and went to the gym for 90 minutes daily.
Look at what these people have accomplished! Without consistently putting in the time and effort, would they have reached success in their fields?
Now, you may not desire to be the BEYONCE, aka greatest of all time, in the skill you are learning, but this gives you a frame of mind of what commitment level and consistency you will need to see improvement!
Give yourself time increments to test and see where you pick up the skill.
For example, you can practice for 3 or 6 months, give it everything you have, and then check and see where you are when you meet that timeframe.
Here are some videos of my slow and steady progression over a year of me learning salsa! I started taking classes and attending socials at least once or twice a week in July 2022 and haven’t stopped.
January 2023
March 2023
In these videos, you can tell I was nervous, but as I grow in skill, I’m learning to loosen up a little and have fun with it! More clips will come soon to show my progression. Hopefully, this inspires you to do something outside your comfort zone regardless of how you may look when you start it!
Beginners are NEVER experts!
Do not compare yourself to others who are farther along than you. Beginners are never experts!
Did you know there are seven learning styles?
Highly skilled people have had time to utilize different learning styles, make mistakes, and learn from them.
In knowing this, why cause mental torture by comparing to others? Especially when you are a newbie! Give yourself time to experiment and see which learning style works for you.
Remind yourself that you are embracing a mindset, learning a new skill, and stepping out of what's familiar to you, so it's okay to stumble, miss a few steps, and start back to square one over and over again.
It's like in a video game with 20 levels; you can only get to the next level if you pass the prior one. Yes, the last level in the game looks fantastic, with the ability to use different superpowers, access to all the codes, and bragging rights to your fellow game players. Still, unless you buy a cheat code to skip to the top, you have to be patient and confident in your ability to beat the level you are at!
And honestly, what's the fun in using a cheat code? Defeats the purpose of buying and playing the game!
Soothing your ego
So you are LEAPING out of your comfort zone.
You have taken the step to try something new that interests you.. all by yourself without people in your circle validating it as COOL before you do it.
You've set a timeframe for yourself and committed to giving it your all.
After week 2 of practicing consistently, the newness and excitement have worn off, and you find yourself doubting if you will ever get better and debating if you should give up.
DON'T GIVE UP!
Follow up a trying something new session with doing something in your comfort zone that you do well to remind yourself that you are THAT dude, THAT girl, etc.
You should do something you are naturally talented at or something you weren't good at but picked up on the skill successfully.
This can help soothe your internally screaming ego while challenging you to do something different.
For example, to feel confident after learning a dance routine and not being as fluid in body movement as the pro dancers. I would get back home and blast some R&B or Reggae music where I could let loose and not have to make coordinated moves. I returned to my zone, moving freely and fluidly to music without anybody watching or correcting me.
For every new challenge you take on, you need to follow it up with something you are good at!
Here's another example: I've started a new job with responsibilities I haven't had before and am learning salsa simultaneously. Both of these opportunities involve a HUGE learning curve, so in my day, I need to do two things that I love and feel confident in... like embracing my inner Shakira and freestyle dancing in front of my full-length mirror at home.
Or creating a marketing graphic for Pinterest via Canva design, etc.
Anything I can do and feel great about the outcome helps me tremendously after trying a new skill over and over again.
Identify your WHY
Knowing your WHY for what you do is crucial for anything you do, whether in your comfort zone or not.
It's easier to stay motivated and disciplined with it.
You will start feeling like a robot doing things daily with no identified purpose and reason, then wonder why you are dissatisfied with life! Ask me how I know..I’ve been there.
Let's avoid that by remembering your why, making affirmations associated with it, writing it on sticky notes and in the notes app on your phone, and reading it before and after practice.
(This is a PRO tip for everything you do in your life; it keeps you going when you get demotivated… )
S/O to my fellow Cancer Sun and Aquarius Moon Solange for the short and sweet reminder.
Once we push to do something different, we must implement strategies to keep our mindset and motivation high! These tips should help you keep your head up while trying new hobbies!
Dance into your next hobby with confidence!
Photo by Jakayla Toney on Unsplash