Staying Motivated: Encouragement for the Hard Times
By Gabrielle Lilly, Brown Girls Do Ballet Ambassador
Are you dealing with injury or rejection? Are you struggling to stay motivated? If so, you are not alone! The dance world is tough for everyone. What if there was a way to boost your confidence and get you motivated in those tough moments?
My good friend and Artist at Boston Ballet, Crystal Serrano, has some great tips for dancers like you and me!
Photo: Crystal Serrano; shot by Alexander Devora
I know the dance world is challenging. In this career you will have to deal with rejection and disappointment. From getting cut from an audition to not getting into your dream company, how do you keep pushing and encouraging yourself through all of that?
Many things to keep in mind can be helpful to keep away from disappointment or discouragement. First of all, know that rejection and disappointment is part of the process and this career. Have that in the back of your head that there will be no’s and setbacks but that shouldn’t be a reason to give up. You have to keep trying until you get a yes, an open door, an opportunity, even if it is not your end goal it could be a step closer to where you want to be.
As for staying motivated, use each audition as an experience - whether it is a good one or a bad one - and reflect on how you can better yourself. Use it as a learning tool to get to know your strengths and weaknesses so you can come back stronger and with more confidence. Thinking of an audition or of a rejection differently can be more beneficial if we take the negative out of it and use it to motivate and encourage us to come back and try again.
When was the moment where you began to really explore why you dance? Did those “whys” help to shape your motivation to continue?
I always knew dance made me happy and performing was when I felt the most alive and invincible. When I got injured and couldn’t dance for a while, I questioned if I could let it go. The answer was no. The why’s of why I dance outweighed anything else. It indeed took my motivation to the next level. It made me realize if I felt the most whole as a dancer and as a person when I dance, then it was worth continuing to explore and strive for. Everything is hard or uncomfortable at times in life, but if I get to do what I love and feel fulfilled through dance, then it was what I needed - not just wanted - in my life.
What are three tips you have for aspiring dancers to help them stay motivated?
Never compare yourself to others. Focus on you and know you, too, have something special. Celebrate your strengths and don't get discouraged by your weaknesses. Be curious, explore, be open to learning and absorbing new things. Ask questions. Being versatile always makes a beautiful well-rounded dancer.
Photo: Crystal Serrano; shot by Dez Santana
Crystal Serrano started training at the Olympic Ballet School, and she later started training at the School of American Ballet. She joined Pacific Northwest Ballet as a part of the professional division, afterwards joining Sacramento Ballet. She also danced with Oregon Ballet Theatre and was a lead dancer withBallet San Antonio and Dance Theatre of Harlem. She is now an artist at Boston Ballet.
Keep in touch with Crystal by following her on Instagram.