The Benefits of Dance Competitions
Many parts of life are competitive. The word “competition” can have some negative connotations, but believe it or not, competition has many benefits.
As long as you bring a healthy attitude to the game, it can help you grow and be your absolute best. This also applies to the world of competitive dance. Dance competitions have the potential to bring out the best in any dancer. If you think competition might not be right for you, read over these points before you make up your mind.
1. A Good Sense Of Achievement
Something that we can all relate to is the sense of achievement we feel when we accomplish our goals. The simple task of setting a goal and then reaching it is a great way to improve your skills and feel great about yourself! It’s like playing a game that helps your dance in the long run. Many people enjoy the feeling that competition gives them, whether it be on stage or playing a board game. Competition can be fun, and whether you win or lose, there’s always something you can learn.
2. A Good Bit of Inspiration
Another vital part of the competition is the inspiration it provides for you to be your best. When you see so many other amazing dancers out there, it encourages you to keep improving. Maybe you’ll see something creative and new that another dancer is doing that catches your attention. A dance competition is a perfect place to be inspired to try something different. Where else would you have the opportunity to see so many amazing dancers, who all do things slightly differently? You can’t win first if you’re not at your best. So a dance competition is the perfect setting to challenge yourself to improve!
3. A Good Critique
Of course, there is always the other side of the competition, when someone else wins. There are many ways to approach the inevitable off-day. You don’t have to let it get you down; it can be an excellent learning opportunity! You can take the chance to listen carefully to any critiques you received and move forward to continue to improve. There aren’t too many opportunities in life to be examined by an objective third party, and sometimes a judge will tell you exactly what you need to hear about your dancing. How can you improve if you don’t know what could use some work? A good critique can inspire you to strive for better the next time around! And remember, not winning does NOT make you a bad dancer; every dancer has their on-days and their off-days!
4. A Good Attitude
Learning to develop a good attitude about the competition can make you a fair, level-headed person. If you can accept defeat without a fuss, but also accept a win without putting others down, you’ve got a tremendous moral ground to stand on. Competition builds character. It can make you a better person if you allow it. Learning to congratulate someone who may have just narrowly beaten you in your category is a fantastic thing you can do for yourself. There will always be a dose of competitiveness in life, whether it be in a job interview or a game of Monopoly; what’s important is that you develop the knack for compassion early on so you can share that same attitude with the world around you when competition inevitably comes your way. A great way to practice that compassion is backstage at a dance competition, sharing your positivity with any person who comes your way.
5. A Good Friend
Dance competitions are the perfect settings to make some new friends! Think about it. You’re in a room with many other like-minded people who have the same interests as you. Make some connections! You never know when another dancer could give you a hand in the dance world. Many of these dancers come from different studios, and there’s a good chance they’ll be strangers to you. So why not take the chance to make some new friends you probably wouldn’t have met otherwise? Forming unlikely friendships with your competitors is a great way to put the “friendly” in “friendly competition.”
There are endless opportunities for fun and growth at a dance competition. If you keep up the positive energy, you are destined to have a great time. Competing is an excellent opportunity to be your best self, all while learning to become an even better dancer. You have opportunities to grow not only in your passion but also as a person. So, if you think that competition may not be right for you, think again! Get out there and keep dancing, and always remember: while it may feel amazing to win, winning isn’t as important and putting in your best effort!