Core Values
Hard Work
I have come to believe through experience that hard work is both what we physically exert and mentally, a state of mind. Think about it, you work hard for something you believe in. You work hard for something you have thought and planned for, that will lead you to happiness, success, or well-being.
No one gets to define hard work for anyone else. Just like success, you define hard work for yourself. Your definition of hard work should support your definition of success!
For me, hard work means giving 100% to my job because I care. No one works hard for no reason at all. We do things in some instances to survive, others to amuse ourselves, but many of us make an impact because we want to leave a legacy.
So, what does hard work mean to you?
Leadership is not about titles, positions, or flowcharts. It is about one life influencing another.
A great leader needs to be able to say, I am sorry. If you want your organization to be constantly innovating and improving, your team members must be reflective and self-aware. You need them to know when they have made mistakes and correct them so they can get better. This is only a realistic expectation, if the leader of team is willing to do the same thing. A good leader will say, I made a mistake, I am sorry, and here is what I am doing to get better. If the leader can do this, it will set the right tone for the rest of the organization.
Leaders who do NOT value integrity will not gain the trust and buy-in of their team, which will negatively impact engagement and performance. Leading with integrity does not mean never making mistakes, but recognizing and owning them, which leads to continual self-development, and demonstrates humility to others.
Whether we hear it from teachers, judges or directors, the importance of technique is a constant topic of conversation in the dance field. As dancers, we work tirelessly to hone our technique, ultimately striving for perfection-or as close it as we can possibly get. The time you devote to your technical training will ultimately set you up for future success as a dancer.
Technique classes are so important because technique is the foundation of your art. It is about leaning to train your body to use the proper muscles to execute a given step or movement. It provides the dancer the opportunity to build strength and stamina that will ultimately prevent injury and lengthen their time to dance.
It is also important to train in different genres of dance technique which allows dancers to be even stronger and more versatile. For example, taking a tap class and focusing on tap technique will transform how dancers hear music and attack movement rhythmically and dynamically, which ultimately makes them more well-rounded for all dances. The loss of technique training adds to the development of bad habits. Therefore, it is imperative to remember that technique time should always come first. I understand there are only so many hours in a week to fit classes and rehearsals in, but you set the schedule…. Make it Happen!
Key words – Innovative, up to date, Cool, Current, Popular, Fresh Ideas, Impressive, Brave, Admired
For me, trendsetting is transforming something that you are currently doing that everyone loves, and it catches on with others. Always pushing the envelope with innovative and fresh choreography, creating new platforms for publicizing your team.
Think about it. How can you trend set within your team? What is something you must do every day that is predictable and is tends to be monotonous? Think outside the box and create new ways to deliver the same thing in a cool way. What can you do that could make your rehearsals innovative and popular, to where the team loves coming to practice? Take the time to brainstorm with your team and you will be surprised of all the creative ideas they will come up with.
For our business, we tried to implement things that were lacking in our industry. Simple things that would inspire and leave you uplifted! One of the things we did was to create our Final Showcase at Officer Camp. Where we bring all the dancers together on the final day to showcase what they learned throughout the week in one huge dance production. It was a hit, and we are proud to say we were the first! Adding dance and technique classes in the Social Officer Curriculum. This was a huge success!
So, you see, it is all about looking at what you have and creating or making it a little different and more exciting. You can do it! Go be a Trend Setter…. We are!
Successful personal growth requires motivation, the desire to improve, and the willingness to strive to make changes. You also need to be willing to get out of your comfort zone, and sometimes, do things that are uncomfortable, but are for your own good. An open mind and the desire to learn and grow are also important.
Personal growth is an ongoing process that starts from an early age, but mostly shaped by parents, teachers, and the environment. However, to make the most of it, you need to become aware of the process, know what it is, and take the right steps to grow and improve yourself.
I looked up a few examples of personal growth to help clarify:
- Leaning to control anger
- Leaning to overcome procrastination
- Learning to overcome laziness
- Learning to be more polite and considerate
- Becoming a more responsible person
- Learning new things and developing new skills
- Changing your mindset and becoming more positive
It is never too late to work on your personal growth. Focusing on all the above will help you become not only a more successful team member, but also a better person!
Being successful means the achievement of desired visions and planned goals. It can be a certain social status that describes a prosperous person.
I do not think drill team life is hard, but I know that it was committing and working HARD that helped me understand and figure out what did and didn’t work for me then and now with my business. That took time, a lot of patience and trusting the journey that brought success and freedom into my life.
Are you ready to do what it takes to make your dreams happen and become successful?
Keep going: even if you feel like there is no clarity, you don’t know the direction you are going, even if things don’t work out the way you expect, but you know deep down, there is something that keeps pulling you back in. And then one day, you realize you found the right track! You will know what your mission is and what your path to success is for you and your team. You will know that it is all starting to pay off: the hard work, the long hours, the sacrifices of being away from your friends and family. And you start realizing that the choice of being a part of a team was the best choice you could have made.
Success to some means creating and maintaining balance in life. It is important to work hard and accomplish your goals, but it is critical to remember to take care of yourself, exercise, eat well, spend time with friends, family and loved ones. A balanced mind is a smart mind!
My idea of success is just me living a humble happy life surrounded by those that I love and having the freedom to do what I love. For me that is teaching, inspiring our youth, dancing, my faith and family. Your success will come from what makes you happy! Choose the path to success for you and no one else. Decide and define what is important in your life. Some say the end goal is the key while others believe the journey itself is the best part.
I hope drill team helps you achieve your path to success as it did for me!
