As the 2024-year closes and 2025 approaches, it is a time of reflection. Surrender things that no longer bring you happiness and chart a new plan that does. Pay attention to balance. Does your new plan give you back equal or better energy? If you don’t have something you need, build it. Dream big, act, get to work, and reach your goals.
Make sure your goals are measurable and time-bound. Write them down and break down large goals into smaller steps. Create an action plan to help you stay on track. Set deadlines and celebrate when you reach your goal. I remember the sense of accomplishment I had when my dance partner and I created and danced a solo swing dance last year. It was a 2024 goal I wrote down. It is rewarding and motivating for future goals.
My large goal list every year consists of the following:
Strengthening Relationships: Connect with loved ones at least every other week and show my love. Make a new friend. Be helpful and kind.
Health: Besides walking, biking, and swimming, I added chair yoga to my routine. Dance provides me with physical, mental, and spiritual well-being. I work with my doctor and dance instructor to come up with a dance plan. Every year, I ask myself the following questions: Do I want to compete? What level do I want to achieve? Do I want to create a show dance? Do I want to take a break from competing and only social dance? Will I pledge to try to get more people to dance and join USA Dance?
Finances: When setting a new budget, make sure travel and dance are part of the budget.
Without goal setting, it is easy to lose motivation. When you know what you’re working towards, it’s easier to say no to distractions and things that don’t align with your goals.
Write down your goals. Last year, I purchased a new blue sequin dance dress to help motivate myself to learn International Waltz for a future show dance. It is still on a hanger in my closet. Recently, I started viewing International European competitions on YouTube, and they inspired me to, “Just go for it and learn the dance”. “One, Two, Three”. I can feel and visualize myself dancing in my new blue sequined dress. Bingo! Learning International Waltz for a show dance will be written down as a 2025 goal for me.
As quoted by Les Brown, “Shoot for the moon. Even if you miss, you’ll land among the stars.”
Care to share your 2025 goals? Please submit your story to our Managing Editor, Rose-Ann Lynch, at Americandancer@usadance.org.
