As a beginner dancer, the best goal is (as cheesy as it sounds), to have fun.

But as you're getting the hang of dancing, you're gonna wanna set some goals for yourself.

This section will help you figure out what you want, and how to make it happen.

1. What do you love about dancing?

In order to set a dance goal that you actually want to achieve, you have to first take inventory of what you like or what inspires you.

‍Were there times in the past that made you think "Oh my god, that's so awesome" or "Holy sh*t this is so much fun"???

Study what made you feel that way. For example,

Does choreographing excite you?

Have you seen someone just murder it in a battle and been like "ONE DAY THAT'LL BE ME"????

Are you interested in competition or event planning? Media coverage?

Do you enjoy writing and want to submit articles to Jessie?!? (EMAIL ME! jessie@steezy.co 😉)

Whatever it is, that feeling is the driving force to set and achieve your dance goal. So once you understand your "why"...

2. Set one specific, long term dance goal

A good dance goal is S.M.A.R.T.:

‍Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic, and Timely.

‍Basically, it needs to spell out the "who, what, when, where"s.

‍Example 1: "My goal is to: have shot my first full-blown contemporary x hip hop concept video with (theme) with (cast) by the end of this month."

Example 2: "My goal is to: train in Popping techniques, get comfortable freestyling, and enter my first battle in March, 2019."

Example 3: "My goal is to: take an advanced Urban Choreography workshop in June, 2018"

‍As different as they are, all these dance goals include every part of "S.M.A.R.T."

And once you've set your main goal...

3. Set some short term dance goals

Your S.M.A.R.T. goal is the final destination, but you have to plan out the sub-goals to achieve in order to get there.

List out and strategize what you need to do before moving on to the next step.

‍Example 1: "Train and exercise flexibility" / "Save $(specific dollar amount) for costume and production budget."

Example 2: "1 technique per month, research local Popping sessions."

‍Example 3: Take beginner dance classes for this month, intermediate the next, train on STEEZY Studio."

4. WRITE your dance goals down!

Everything becomes 10000% more real once written down. Write down your dance goals in your phone's notes, your journal, wherever you can see it every day.

When you're writing, make the goals are set in a positive language.

For example, write "Introduce yourself to more people in class" instead of "Stop being so shy."

5.  Be realistic and flexible with your dance goals

Set specific, measurable timelines that'll make it obvious when you've completed something.

‍Example 1: "To have shot my first full-blown contemporary x hip hop concept video on (theme) with (cast) by the end of 2018."

‍The BOLDED parts are the deadlines for these specific sub-goals:- "

Finish choreography by October 17th, record for reference"-

"Save x amount of dollars by November 1st"-

"Month of November: reserve rehearsal space at Snowflake Eyeglass Studio for Thursdays and Sunday 8 pm -11 pm"

If you're a more visual person, then lay out all these dates in a monthly calendar so you can have a birds-eye view of your remaining time.

And stay flexible with your dance goals. Allow for some room for mistakes and improvisation.

Not everything's going to go exactly as planned or expected, but stressing about it will make you miss the silver linings of that detour.

Keep dancing fun and lighthearted throughout the process!

6. Celebrate your accomplishments

Once you've achieved your dance goal, celebrate! Celebrating what you've accomplished is not only well-deserved, but it's great positive reinforcement.

‍It'll make you feel confident to tackle the next thing you want to try out as a dancer.

Happy dancing, STEEZY Nation!