--- title: "How to Stay Motivated During Dance Practice: Tips for Young Dancers - Nan's School of Dance in Raleigh" description: "Dance motivation tips for young dancers: set small goals, practice with friends, change your music and reward progress so practice feels fun again." url: https://www.nansdancenc.com/blog/how-to-stay-motivated-during-dance-practice-tips-for-young-dancers/ --- # How to stay motivated during dance practice: dance motivation tips for young dancers - [Hillary White](https://www.nansdancenc.com/about-us/hillary-white/) - September 3, 2024 Every dancer has weeks when practice feels like a chore, from kids in their first [elementary dance class](https://www.nansdancenc.com/dance-classes/elementary-dance-classes/) to teens who have danced for years. That’s perfectly normal! Dance motivation goes up and down for everyone, because dance takes dedication and a lot of practice. Small changes help most: set goals you can reach, practice with a friend, change your music, reward your progress, and remember why you love to dance. Staying motivated is how you keep making progress and reach your goals, so it’s worth finding what works for you. At Nan’s School of Dance, we know what young dancers are up against, and we want to help you keep your energy up and stay on track. Here are our tips for staying motivated during dance practice. ## 1\. Set small, achievable goals Big goals are great to have, like landing a hard jump or turn, or even winning a solo performance. They can also feel overwhelming. Break them into smaller goals you can manage. Instead of trying to perfect a whole routine, pick one thing to work on, such as your turns or your flexibility. Every small goal you reach feels good, and that feeling gets you ready for the next one. For a step-by-step way to plan them, try [SMART goal setting for dancers](https://www.nansdancenc.com/blog/the-importance-of-smart-goal-setting-for-dancers/). A few example goals: - “I will hold my balance for 30 seconds.” - “I will practice my pliés for 5 minutes every day.” - “I will improve my splits by stretching daily.” ## 2\. Practice with friends Practice feels a lot less like work when you’re dancing with friends! If you’re having trouble getting started, invite a friend from your class to practice with you. You can push each other, share tips, and even make up new routines together. Having someone there to cheer you on and keep you honest on the hard days makes a big difference. ## 3\. Create a dance space at home One of the hardest parts of practicing dancing at home is finding a comfortable spot to do it. You don’t need a professional studio, but a spot set aside for dance practice helps a lot. Clear some space in your room or living room, add a mirror, and put on your favorite music, and you’ve got a mini studio. When you have a set place to dance, it’s easier to stick with your routine. Here are more ideas for [setting up the perfect dance space at home](https://www.nansdancenc.com/blog/how-to-create-the-perfect-dance-space-in-your-home/). ## 4\. Change up your music Sometimes a new playlist is all it takes to make you love dancing again. Different styles of music bring out different kinds of movement. If you’re practicing a ballet routine, for example, try some classical music you haven’t danced to before. Make a playlist just for practice, with songs you love and tracks that push you to try new moves. ## 5\. Reward yourself for progress A reward for reaching a milestone can give you an extra boost. When you reach one of your goals, treat yourself to a favorite snack, a movie night, or something else you enjoy. Rewards are a reminder that your hard work is paying off. Keep a progress journal, too. Write down each goal you reach, and give yourself a treat when you’ve checked off a certain number of them. Our post on [journaling for dancers](https://www.nansdancenc.com/blog/the-power-of-journaling-for-dancers/) has more ideas for what to write. ## 6\. Watch other dancers for inspiration Watching professional dancers, or the dancers in your own class, is a great way to stay inspired. When you see someone else reach a goal or try something new, it makes you want to get better too. Go see live performances or watch YouTube tutorials, and seeing other dancers do well will give you more drive to practice. This next one works best for older dancers, like high schoolers: follow professional dance companies, dancers or dance influencers on social media to keep up with new performances, tutorials and styles to try. ## 7\. Focus on the joy of dance When you’re working hard to improve, it’s easy to get stuck on being perfect. Remember why you started dancing. Maybe it’s your favorite hobby, or the thing you look forward to all week. When motivation is low, step back and think about what makes dance special to you. Let yourself have fun with your movements, even if they’re not perfect. Sometimes dropping the pressure and dancing just for fun is what brings the love back. Progress in dance takes time, and every practice session brings you a little closer to your goals, even the short ones. ## 8\. Visualize success Visualization is one of the best tools for dancer motivation. Before you practice, close your eyes for a few minutes and picture yourself doing your moves just right, or performing in front of an audience. Imagine how excited and confident you’ll feel when you reach your goal. A few minutes of this can help you focus and bring more energy to practice. Older dancers might also like making a vision board with pictures, quotes and goals that inspire them. Hang it where you’ll see it every day. ## Do what you love Motivation comes and goes, but these ideas will help you hold on to your love of dance and keep growing as a dancer. Start with one or two, like a small goal for this week or a practice date with a friend. Every step you take is progress, and we’ll be cheering for you the whole way! ## Reach your goals with Nan’s School of Dance [At Nan’s School of Dance](https://www.nansdancenc.com/about-us/), our goal is to provide top-quality instruction at a competitive price. We encourage our students to reach technical proficiency in their favorite dance form and build self-discipline, poise, and self-esteem. We offer instruction in Ballet, Tap, Jazz, Contemporary, Hip Hop, Acro, and Pre-Dance, at all levels. We love having new members in our dance classes and will help get your child acclimated to our dance school to make them feel right at home. When your child attends Nan’s School of Dance, they will become a part of our dance family and share in our love for dance! ## Don’t forget to register! From ballet to hip hop, we offer dance classes for ALL ages and skill levels in a variety of styles. We place students in classes that will challenge them while offering a fun atmosphere for learning and growth. We also offer Mommy & Me classes (18 months – 2.5 years). [Register online](https://www.nansdancenc.com/register-now/) or give us a call at [(919) 803-6044](tel:+19198036044) to hold your spot! \*Feel free to follow us on [Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/NansSchoolOfDanceRaleigh) | [Twitter](https://twitter.com/NansDanceNC) | [Instagram](https://instagram.com/NansDanceNC) ## Want to read more about dance? Take a look at some of our other articles about technique & training. - [Dance Etiquette: Do’s and Don’ts in the Studio](https://www.nansdancenc.com/blog/dance-etiquette-dos-and-donts-in-the-studio/) - [7 Tips to Quickly Improve Your Dancing](https://www.nansdancenc.com/blog/7-tips-to-quickly-improve-your-dancing/) - [Mastering Higher Kicks with Style: How to Improve Flexibility for Dancing](https://www.nansdancenc.com/blog/mastering-higher-kicks-with-style/) ## Want to learn more about our classes or studio? Just fill out this form and we can answer all your questions. We look forward to seeing you soon in our studio! Warmly, Hillary *This form is on the web page: *