The Death of A Dance Studio (Dancer)

There is an illness that many dance studio owners (and dancers for that matter) suffer from, and it is a serious condition. This condition can lead to extreme burn-out, depression, discouragement, discontent, frustration, helplessness, and ultimately, failure.

What is this illness called?

This illness is called, “The Comparison Syndrome”.

Consistently comparing your dance studio or dance career to that of others (typically who are more successful than you in some way), is deadly to you, your health, your career, and your business.

Why do we compare ourselves to other people?

–  Because we sometimes like to use it as a way to motivate ourselves.

– Sometimes we like to use it as a way to gauge how good (or bad) we’re doing.

– Because it can sometimes justify our own feelings of inadequacy.

– Because it can become an excuse as to why we are not as successful as we wish we were. I mean, how can my dance studio flourish and reach its full potential, when the studio down the road is monopolizing all of the schools and kids in town? How can I get more dance gigs, when this one particular person keeps taking all of the jobs that I want?

Here’s the problem with comparing yourself or your business to that of other people.

You can never win.

Have you noticed that you rarely compare yourself to those who are not as successful as you are? You only compare yourself to people who appear to have something you want. But I’d like to tell you a little secret….

The people that you’re constantly comparing yourself to, are more than likely comparing themselves to someone else, who is more successful than they are….and the cycle continues.

But wait, we need to stop this cycle because it’s a lose-lose situation for everyone involved.

Let me first say that, looking up to someone, admiring someone, or having someone as a mentor is a wonderful thing, and there’s absolutely nothing wrong with that.

I’m talking about the unhealthy, extreme side of comparing yourself to others, i.e. comparing your dance studio’s enrollment numbers to your competitors’, comparing the amount of dance performances you do to that of one of your dancer friends, etc. The problem is, this “Comparison Syndrome” doesn’t help you to become more successful, grow, become a better dancer, or a better business owner. It just leads to misery and disappointment. So, what’s the point?

Here are some things for you to remember that will help you to get over this sickness, taken from the blog post, “Competition Is Nothing”.

1) No One is Perfect. Your competition makes mistakes, and runs into problems, issues, and obstacles, just like you do.

2) There’s Room Enough For All Of Us To Be Successful. Don’t believe for one minute that the success of someone else, somehow compromises your potential to be successful. This is simply not true.

3) What God Has For You, Is For You. No one can take it away from you. It’s all a part of a greater plan and purpose for your life. No one can steal it from you, and only you can fulfill your life’s purpose.

4) Stay focused on your core vision/mission/passion, and you will always stand out from your competition. Why? Because you’re busy being the best that you can be.

If you’re an entrepreneur, and wondering how you can stand out from your competitors, or simply be competitive with companies or individuals who may have more resources than you do, remember these tips:

– Offer High value

-Offer great customer service

-Solve an existing  problem

-Offer solutions and/or convenience to your customers in a unique way.

-Be accessible.

If you’re a dance studio owner, I would also add that you should be innovative, creative, take risks, and ask your dance students, parents, and teachers for ideas, feedback, and suggestions. You don’t always have to be the one coming up with new ideas. A successful person always surrounds themselves with people who are smarter than they are, or who are strong where they are weak. Sometimes the best way to give your customers what they want, is to simply ask them what they want.

The great thing is that the “Comparison Syndrome” has a remedy, and a simple one at that. You can begin getting over this illness the moment you decide that you don’t want to waste time comparing yourself to others anymore. Why not start today?

Do you ever find yourself comparing yourself to others? Has it been a motivator for you, or has it been detrimental? How did you overcome it?

Please leave your comment below. If you liked this article, please tweet it and share it on Facebook as well. Embrace your greatness today!

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