The Chicken or the Egg
The age old question, "What comes first, the chicken or the egg?" will most likely be disputed for years to come. While there are sound arguments for both sides, it is nearly impossible to agree upon an answer.
By the same token, what is the best recipe for success in dance? ....a gifted student? ... a hard working student?...a remarkable teacher? ... a brilliant choreographer? ... a wise parent? The best answer is all of the above.
Success is seldom an individual achievement. Even though one individual may be at the receiving end of the accolades, they seldom reach that level alone or without inspiration.
Success is a process as life is a process. Oddly enough, we often don't even realize when we're being programmed for success. It might be a special event that plants the seed, or maybe a person who makes an unforgettable impact on our lives. They may never even realize what they have done for us, yet they give us our start.
Some people fall into success by accident, others pursue it fervently. Most work long and hard to achieve it, as it should be. It doesn't matter whether you're eight or eighty, a healthy attitude and work ethic is an invaluable asset. The "entitlement" mentality is far too prevalent today and serves no purpose but to make one lazy.
In the entitlement mode, when you want something, you want it now! There is no patience, no waiting. There is little discernment between want and need. Sometimes we need very little, yet want too much. I was raised to believe that in this life we are owed nothing, and what we achieve should be in direct proportion to how hard we work for it.
Don't expect success to come overnight. It may take months, years, or even longer to accomplish a single goal. While it can be disillusioning to sit back and watch success come to some so quickly, it is foolish to become discouraged. Everyone is not the same. People who are the most successful in life are often those who know how to hang in there, no matter how rough the road becomes.
One of the biggest advantages in getting older is that perspective becomes much clearer. You learn so much from past experiences the big picture is more visible. It's so easy to look for a detour when you're not sure where the road is taking you. But, if you keep your goal in focus, take your time and do it the right way. I'm not saying that shortcuts can't work, but they certainly shouldn't be your first choice unless there's no alternative.
When you see a successful dancer of any age, you're seeing the work of many hands. It began the first day that child was inspired. The seed was planted by their first teacher, and nurtured in some way by every teacher since then. Life experiences come into play. You may not even realize how a compliment from a stranger, or a simple "good luck" from a dancer from another studio comes into play. We all are a culmination of what goes into us, kind of like human potpourri.
I also believe that success is a shared experience. I remember the first home run I saw my sons hit when they were in little league. It was a big event! But I also remember the hours my husband spent in the back yard with the boys throwing the ball around and hitting in the cage. While they all enjoyed every minute of it, it was still work. They just didn't realize it. They were having fun. They both went on to play baseball successfully in high school. My youngest son continued to play in college culminating in being named Male Athlete of the Year in his senior year at Shenandoah University. Without even realizing it, the first day they swung a bat, the plan was in motion.
The same is true with my girls. When I look back at the number of individuals who had a hand in the development of their achievements and career opportunities, I am amazed. Most were wonderful influences and experiences, they really were... but not all. In a long run, it didn't matter. We learned a different lesson from each one, whether it was what to do or what not to do. I choose to look at my "mistakes" as lessons learned. That way it's less painful, you feel a lot less stupid about your poor choices, and you never make the same mistakes again!
So don't spend your time looking back. Look forward! Yesterday is gone, let it be gone. Let go of the things that are holding you back. Today is the day to worry about now. The future is yours to write. It really is. You will only be limited by the restrictions you place upon yourself. Believe in yourself or no one else will.
Now back to the chicken and the egg theory.... the answer may remain a debate forever. But as far as the success of a dancer goes, there is no dancer without the rest of the components. It is not a solo success. It is a culmination of years of life experiences and hard work....and everyone involved can take pride in the end result.