My wife and I participated in dance lessons some time ago. We loved the lessons and in fact, I found the whole dancing experience very enjoyable, so we are sure to continue with our interest sometime in the future as well.
After our dance lessons (fusku and cha-cha, my mind started to wander and I was trying to find out a lesson of the dancing experience and how it relates to online business.
In fact I found a lesson and I figured out that dancing and doing an online business have many similarities.
#1 You need a teacher
Sure, you can try to learn dancing by watching others, but it is much more effective to let someone assist you personally. This is why there are dance teachers.
They give you the direct feedback of your performance and are helping you along the way to become better in your steps and moves.
Same goes for online business. You can try to figure out everything by yourself, but it becomes much more effective, when you hire someone to give you personal feedback and guidance. This is what coaches and mentors are for.
Whether you are learning to dance or running an online business, teachers and coaches speed up your journey from beginner to advanced one. You get immediate feedback and you are able to make corrective actions right away.
#2 Focus is everything
After we started our dancing lessons, I soon realized that having a strong focus is everything. As soon as your mind starts to wander and you are not concentrating, you are going to lose your steps. That’s why it is essential to keep listening to the music and focus entirely on dancing with your partner and nothing else.
Focus comes in many forms (for example what is your 10 year goal or your project goal), but one thing is sure. Once you start spreading yourself too thin – try to focus on too many things at the same time – you are going to lose your track.
This is why it’s essential to work in a focused manner. For example, if you have a certain project you are working on, you focus to finishing that first, and then move on to the next. That is the only way to finish what you have started and reach your goals.
“You need to focus – whether when learning to dance or in online business.
#3 You need a partner
To be honest, not all the dance forms require a partner. However, when it comes to dancing many of the pair dances – like fusku or cha-cha – you need a partner.
The whole experience becomes much more enjoyable when you have partner to dance with. In fact, it is impossible to dance without one – especially if these dance forms are concerned.
There is a direct connection to having a partner in your online business as well. I know that many people work alone, but at some point they see the potential of working with someone and how it can grow their online business to another level.
#4 You have to work hard – at least in the beginning
When you start to do something completely new to you, you may find the experience confusing. I know that my first dance steps were careful at best, because I was still in the early learning stages of my dancing interest.
You have to learn the ropes when it comes to running an online business as well. I remember when I started to learn about different internet marketing techniques, I was puzzled.
It all comes down to the fact that you need to work hard at least in the beginning to see success at some later point – whether it is dancing cha-cha or running an online business.
#5 You have to be motivated
It goes without saying that you have to be motivated about what you do – whether it is learning to dance or running your online business.
Without motivation, it is going to be a rocky road for you. However, if you are motivated about something, you are going to conquer the obstacles that throw setbacks on your way.
You motivation makes the journey to success (whether it is in dancing or in online business) much easier and you are willing push to yourself forward no matter what.
“Motivation takes you to mastery – whether when learning to dance or in online business
#6 You have to ask for help
No matter how much you want to do everything by yourself, it is so much easier when you can ask for some assistance.
When we were dancing and we didn’t figure out something, we raised our hands and asked from our teachers, who would then assist us on our moves.
If you run into problems in your online business, there are always others out there to help you – whether on online forums and on blogs of your niche or by asking directly from your coach if you have one.
It is not ridiculous to ask for help – instead, trying to figure out everything by yourself is ridiculous.
#7 You should be good at certain things only
It is useless to try to become excellent in every possible area on a certain topic.
No matter if you are dancing, you should just pick certain dance styles and become excellent at those.
The same goes with online business. Pick the certain model and squeeze everything out it, rather than trying to be excellent in every possible area (PPC, article marketing, list building, niche sites, blogging …)
So, dedicate yourself to certain areas and let go of the rest.
#8 You need to stretch your comfort zone in order to become better
Dancing (or learning any new thing) is scary – you don’t know the right steps. You feel that people laugh at you if you get confused of not knowing the steps. That’s why some people may feel that dancing stretches their comfort zone too much, so they won’t even try it.
You are stretching your comfort zone in your online business frequently too. Publishing your content, creating videos or podcasts or creating your own products – you are dealing with the boundaries of your comfort zone all the time.
Well, guess what? Sooner you stretch your comfort zone the better. For example, in many cases when I was scared of doing something and I did it anyway, I felt such a huge impact in my self-confidence by doing this.
Getting the compliment from our dance teachers saying that me and my wife have a great sense of rhythm in our dance or creating my first YouTube videos – I know that my self-confidence factor skyrocketed!
You just have to have guts to go out there and try to do something for the first time. I can tell you from experience that it gets much easier the second time!
Conclusion
As you can see, there are many similarities between dancing and your online business.
In fact, I got figured out something else related to this topic and I recorded a video for you about it. Please check it out.
“Please share your comments on running your online business or dancing for that matter at the comment area below. If you liked this post, share it on Facebook or tweet it on Twitter.
Cheers,
Timo
Great analogy between dancing and online business. You’re sharing some awesome points man.
I like the #7 point, one not need to be perfect in everything. Great Point.
Anyways, Thanks for sharing this great post. keep up the good work.
~Dev
Devesh recently posted..Ways to Avoid Social Media Marketing Failures
Hi Dev!
Thank you for your kind comments and very nice that you had a chance to stop by!
It is really interesting to find out these similarities. Sometimes you may be thinking that certain things do not have anything in common. However, when you look at them closer, you find the similarities.
Cheers,
Timo
As a former college ballroom dancer (and now mom of both college and high school ballroom dancers), I love this analogy.
This is my favorite. So true. You know the old phrase “Jack of all trades, master of none.” It’s still true. Specialization is generally a good thing.
For me? cha cha and samba for sure.
Alison Moore Smith recently posted..Amazing Life- If You’ve Never Failed- You’ve Never Lived
Hi Alison!
Nice to see you here!
Yes, just picking the certain area (of your topic) and focusing on that only – that is the key to success.
I tried to find an English term for the dance “fusku”, since I believe that it’s the Finnish term. However, I wasn’t able to find the right term at this point.
Anyway, dancing was fun and we are looking forward to learn even more
Cheers,
Timo
Timo,
#3: You need a partner. Man, so true. We, as humans, are wired for connectivity so it’s only natural to at least feel the need to reach out. It may be hard to do so for some of us but results from the combined efforts of working with others is always, always mind-blowing.
#4: You have to work hard. Yep, absolutely agree with you there. We really can’t buy up all the overnight formulas and secrets; just as in the physical world you need to roll up your sleeves online. The harder you work now to network, the easier things become down the road to have your message heard.
#8: You need to stretch your comfort zone. This is my favorite. When most of us first start out online we know nothing. Setting up a blog is hard. We can’t create graphics. We don’t even consider thinking of standing in front of a camera. It’s all so foreign.
But in short time, the more you learn to just dive in and DO IT the easier everything becomes. It’s just making that eagerness to learn by doing a routine. That’s the tough part.
Great article, Timo, thank you.
Hi Jon!
Thanks for dropping by and great that you liked my article!
I have realized the same as you – once you get started and start to do something, you are on the right path. It’s all about taking action.
Cheers,
Timo
Hey Timo,
Great advice. Can you believe you learned all that by dancing?!
When you have an open mind you really see things everywhere that can help you improve.
Keeping an open mind is very important is you are to become a success.
Daniel M. Wood recently posted..Product Review- The Future Selling Institute by David Brock and S Anthony Innarino
Hi Daniel!
Open mind is definitely critical factor for success – I agree!
Cheers,
Timo
Hi Timo, thank you for the great post – the analogy is very helpful, and I’ve shared it on Facebook. I like your added point in the video, that it’s important to do things *other than work* to keep the creative juices flowing.
Danny recently posted..Enchantment with Guy Kawasaki
Hi Danny!
Thanks you for sharing it on Facebook and I’m glad that you liked this article!
Seems that more away I am from my computer, more ideas pop in to my head
Cheers,
Timo
Timo, dancing is great for both body and mind! It is an excellent way to get creativity going (as you may have noticed!). I use to dance argentinian tango with my wife.
I learned this lesson from a book I recently read, and I found it excellent advice: “When learning something new, make it your goal to focus on the learning process, not the result, and you will find that the results will come sooner than you think.” This applies very well to dancing, but also to business! Good luck with the lessons!
Henrik Hedberg recently posted..Three ways for the entrepreneur to increase income
Hi Henrik!
I haven’t danced tango yet, but hopefully at some point I have a chance to learn about that too
Thanks for sharing the great lesson!
Cheers,
Timo
The book, if anyone is interested (also available on iTunes as audiobook): http://www.amazon.com/Practicing-Mind-Bringing-Discipline-Focus/dp/0977657205
Henrik Hedberg recently posted..Three ways for the entrepreneur to increase income
Henrik,
Thanks for sharing this!
Cheers,
Timo
Hi Timo,
I found you through the Podcasting for Bloggers membership area. Looking forward to sharing views on the curriculum with you!
I especially like your ideas in the video at the end of this post. While it’s great to immerse yourself in whatever your passion is, I find my best ideas and creativity are sparked when I’m doing something different. I especially like to listen to podcasts and read books new things I’ve never been exposed to before.
Keep up the great work!
Brad recently posted..Don’t Just Sit There- Do Something!
Hi Brad,
Looking forward to share experiences on the curriculum with you too!
I’m going through the material of Hector’s course, because my plan is to incorporate podcasts to my blog at some point (hopefully during the spring).
Too many times we are stuck on our computers and just staring the screen – however as soon as you shut down your machine and do something else, those ideas start to pop into your head
Cheers,
Timo
Timo, my man!
Really like your post. Great analogy between dancing and online business.
Having a mentor or a group of mentors as in a mastermind group is great Timo. I can tell you from my own experience that this along with collaboration can really help take your business to a next level. Great to see that you have included motivation, focus and dedication as well brother!
Great insights. Thanks.
Adam Paudyal recently posted..Is Success Really Just A Head Game
Adam!
Thanks a lot!
Having a teacher/coach/mentor is very important indeed. You get much more done and you are on the right track when following his/her advice.
Cheers,
Timo
LOL – I thought I was the only person in the whole world who had an online business and is a serious competitive ballroom dancer! Dancing keeps me sane – phyical activity is a good alternative after hours in front of the laptop – but the costs of it keep me working – go figure!
Lis Sowerbutts recently posted..Passive Income – There Is Such a Thing – Who Want’s a Business
Lis!
Thanks for stopping by!
I am happy that I found dancing – new world has opened to me
Cheers,
Timo
Hi Timo
“8 Things That Dancing And Online Business Have In Common”
Love the analogy, something concrete that we can understand and apply to any business, online or otherwise.
How long have you been doing videos?
Short vid with a clear message – really added to the post for me.
BTW – thanks for your comment over on easyP.
I’ll stop by later and take a look at some of your other posts.
Keith
Keith Davis recently posted..Oh Mr Darcy…
Hi Keith!
Thanks for stopping by!
I have been doing videos since February. I try to cover some extra insight(s) in my videos that add something new to the blog post.
One of the reasons for doing videos was to get more comfortable with camera but also to increase my self-confidence as well. It’s not that scary anymore
I found your blog very interesting too. I would like to learn public speaking, because I feel that it is a very important skill to have. I’ll check your posts more later, because I found them very interesting.
Cheers,
Timo
You look great on the video Timo and it looks as though you have built a great community around your blog.
Nice to meet you.
See you again soon.
Keith Davis recently posted..Oh Mr Darcy…
Keith,
Thank you!
See you soon!
Cheers,
Timo