In personal finance, there’s a rule of thumb about paying yourself: take 10% of every paycheck to save for the future.
I have a challenge for all dancers: let’s apply the 10% rule to dancing. New dancers are our futures. How about making 10% of all your social dances dances with beginners? Starting right now.
And if you’re an instructor make that 25% or more.
Ifs, Ands & Buts
In anticipation of some excuses I have heard, I have a few responses to common reasons people say they DON’T want to dance with beginners.
- It hurts. Dancing with new dancers does not hurt. Dancing with people who don’t know how to connect properly hurts, and that happens at every level. Don’t assume a beginner will hurt you just because they’re a beginner. If you have an injury or sensitivity, you can simply say so up front and that allows you to end any dance early if necessary. You don’t have to place blame. “I’d love to dance but I am nursing a shoulder injury so please don’t be offended if I have to end the dance early.”
- It’s boring/I won’t get better dancing with beginners. Really? What I like about dances with beginners is that it’s my best chance to practice my own stuff, be it technique or a styling I’m trying to nail down, etc. Yes, sometimes you’re not totally up for it. Sometimes you’re mentally exhausted or physically exhausted. But for the most part, there’s always something you can take away from a “basic” dance. Read my article about how to give a beginner a great dance.
- I’ll pick up bad technique. If you believe that, please take a private lesson, as you have probably never been shown how to dance your own dance with any partner.
- I’ve paid my dues. That’s not how the 10% rule works. The 10% rule is valid forever, until you retire. If you’re an active social dancer, you have a vested interest in helping the community to develop and grow. So keep “paying your dues”.