Confidence is key and arrogance leads you nowhere.
If you’ve previously read my other posts then it wouldn’t be entirely alien when I reiterate the importance of confidence in dancing, among others.

Have you said or heard someone say, “My only talent is eating.” — or maybe it was eating. Whatever it was, the thing is I’ve seen people doubt themselves before they even try. Some don’t even bother to put any effort at all.

Maybe it’s because dancing demands so much like coordination, flexibility, speed, and whatnot. Daunting, right? Of course, if you look it at that way. It’s okay to not have those skills yet but they’re something you’ll be able to pick up and improve if you try. Heck, I’ve seen people in wheelchair dance, so what’s stopping you?

We all have to start somewhere and in order to move forward we have to push ourselves. It took years before I even built enough confidence to perform solo in front of a live audience during a huge advertising campaign of our school. Looking back, I’m quite surprised myself.

To tell you the entire truth, it didn’t turn out well — in my perspective. I forgot half of the routine I tirelessly choreographed and improvised awkward steps. Not what you would have expected, but I’m glad it happened. In the end I was able to harden my shell, overcome my fears, and I was even commended by school administration — which was very unexpected.

Enough of the pep talk. I’ll share how I build my confidence and overcome my stage fright and insecurities every time I perform.

1. If you can’t face ’em, then don’t. What I mean is, you don’t have to face them, rather pretend to be playing a character and let that person face the crowd. It takes practice.
2. Take deep breaths and condition your mind. Having jitters before performing in front of anyone is normal, but you simply have to calm down and focus. It helps to close your eyes while doing this.
3. Lose yourself in the moment. At the start of any performance is where you’ll feel your heart beating the fastest. So take each passing second to savor the music coursing through your movements. If you’re in a competition, focus on one person, a friend, family, or the judge. Impress them and make them proud.
4. Enjoy. Enjoying and loving what you do is crucial to boosting your confidence. Dance for the sake of dancing and not to please or show off to others. Dance for yourself because you want to.

Once you’ve found your confidence, always remember to look back to where you came from. Be humble and encourage others to become a better version of themselves too.