top of page

10 Things I've Learned in 10 years of Dance Dojo

by Robin from Dance Dojo

Sep 6, 2024

Robin from the Dance Dojo shared key lessons worth reading

10. Focus on helping people who are willing and able. Don't waste time convincing people to change. (BJ Fogg, behavioral scientist at Stanford).


9. Those that want to do something will. Those that don't want it bad enough make excuses. Whichever you are, just own it. Everyone has their priorities.


8. Dance is like any skill. Anyone can learn it at any age. It's proven. Read the book Peak: Secrets From the New Science of Expertise.


7. 99% of the time the only person in your way is you. Get out of your own way, and your life will change in incredible ways. Examine your beliefs.


6. For the leads: learning as many moves as you can, especially hard ones, will quickly become an empty path. The fulfilling path is learning good technique, body movement and exploring musicality. This allows you to connect to the music and your partners, so you can have fun dancing with anyone, anywhere - even with just the basics.


5. For the follows: stop focusing on the lead and focus on your techniques: stepping on time, weight-shifts, balance, posture, frame, light arms. When you stop doing these things, that's when you struggle. Don't try to see the future, just do you - react.


4. Learn the basics of the other role (lead or follow) and you will change your dancing in a huge way: your technique, your empathy and your connection. It's a fun challenge too.


3. How you practice determines how fast you learn. Model a master who has the results you want and has a proven system to get you there. This is the closest thing to a "shortcut" you will find. Hint: that's what we do at Dance Dojo.


2. Practicing solo is necessary to become an awesome social dancer. It's also the most avoided. Get over this and you'll see big results. Body movement, shines, musicality. There's lots to work on. We can help.


1. Stop waiting for motivation. Decide what you want in your life and develop discipline - the commitment of acting no matter how you feel. Your work, dance, health, relationships and happiness are too important to be tied to volatile daily emotions. Show up. Do the work. No excuses. Don't risk the regret on your death bed.


Bonus: People may not remember what you say, but they will always remember how you make them feel. Treat everyone with kindness.


There's a lot more, but I'll leave it there.


Support the Dance Dojo!

bottom of page