Recently, I and twelve dancers went to New York City for a long weekend of performances and master classes. It was exhilarating and very successful, but, as usual, the logistics of dancing in another city and racing through town made for an exhausting trip. The best illustration of how the trip went is this: On the five-hour bus trip to New York, the smiles and chatter was non-stop anticipation. On the six-and-a-half-hour crowded trip home (grrrrrr), most of the dancers slept the whole way, feeling the fatigue of the adrenaline drop. The bus ride home, although triumphant, was pretty tedious. Actually, it would have to work up several notches to achieve tedious.
As we got off the bus a little after midnight, the families and loved ones excitedly and warmly rushed forward to greet the exhausted travelers. Although the dancers were still very worn out and sleepy, the smiles and excited chatter returned as each person received a huge hug, sincere welcome, and cheers for completing a successful mission. Talk of “next time” suddenly arose from each dancer, who only three days before had been inspired with a send-off of expectation, then the excitement and gratification of a successful mission, and then the triumph and affirmation upon the arrival home to complete the circle of experience.
I wonder if the attitude of “next time” would be as enthusiastic if there was no acknowledgement of a job well done, no sign of being appreciated and missed, no interest in being welcomed back into the fold of home. No matter how talented and confident someone is, and no matter how much they love what they do, just a little bit of affirmation or congratulations can make a difference between motivation or burnout.
I believe the best way to get someone to do well and stay motivated is to let them know how well they’re doing. Exaggerating or lying about ability is not an option, but expressing a positive thought and encouragement to someone who has worked so hard can make the effort feel it’s worth the aches and fatigue. Way too often, a gifted artist will give up and walk away from a world they love because of the lack of encouragement. Affirmation in the tank is what keeps the engine running over the roughest of roads. It helps a struggling artist beat the odds of success in a difficult world.
Never underestimate the power of even a few words of encouragement, or a smile, a pat on the back, or even a subtle nod to someone who is striving to make the world better by inspiring a few hearts through their art.
Dancers are known for their physical strength, their stamina (emotional as well as physical), and just plain grit. It takes a lifetime to really develop that tenacity, but it can disappear so quickly if the heart and soul aren’t nourished with even a few words of, ”Well done!”
Dance on.
Grace Notes 