Many ballroom professionals say they have become much better dancers after they stopped competing.
Sounds strange?
Competitors are exposed to a lot of noise – around and inside them. They see a variety of teachers with different views and approaches. Constant ‘feedback’ by their partners and creative tensions add much to this noise.
Often they deal with such pressures by downplaying competitor strengths and enhancing their own self-image.
Compounding the problem is that they are unable to step off this hamster wheel – grueling training schedules and a continuous stream of competitions involving significant international travel just do not allow them this luxury.
Many executives will be able to see a parallel here, in their own corporate settings.
When competitors retire and start focusing on teaching careers, they take time to reflect, consolidate the learnings of diverging approaches.
They allow themselves to appreciate the skills of their competitors.
This process propels them to a different level of insight. Then they all share one feeling: “If only…”
Unless you want to wait until retirement, creating the time to reflect is crucial to accelerate personal growth.
Do you make time to take stock? How?
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