To compete: To vie with one another and/or come together. Tonight the women paired off to dance in DWTS, which brings to mind the way many women compete.
I use to believe that men were the only aggressive ones in sporting events. But put women head to head and I’ve never seen anything like it. Wow, single-minded focus. Guys seem to finish and say, “Great game.” and go around giving high fives to each other. Women? It seems like it’s personal. (Now is this just me, or do you make the same observation?) I especially see this when women play soccer or tennis. I guess I can understand it. But for me, it just needs to be great work! I want to constantly best my own performance and that makes the best competition.
As the women prepared for the woman’s relay dancing, there was a lot of attention paid to who went first, last, etc. Having done a lot of competition myself as a performer, placement is a big deal… But the bigger deal is that you have done your homework and come out prepared to demonstrate something that is more than interesting. The performer/competitor should present something that is staggeringly jaw dropping amazing (and when I say that, I mean I have to amaze my worst critic, and that is myself).
Having been both a singer and a performer, I take a look at my skills and compare them with what is designated for the normal expectation in the event; then I kick the hell out of it. For example, if everyone else is reaching for the moon, I reach for Mars and get the moon! I have confidence first and foremost in my ability to achieve. Then (and this is key) I practice all day and then some more. I eat regular meals without fat or spices. I drink no soda or coffee. I drink water… ten ten-ounce glasses a day. I do a regular yoga routine twice a day and exercise my voice twice before the am.m practice, and again before the p.m. work session. I study and research materials in the library that will help me improve. I observe my competition. That is to say, I know them. Whatever they do well, I work to do better; whatever is their Achilles heel becomes my forte. I know what they are capable of producing and how they behave in performance. If, to achieve all of this, it means that I have to increase my work schedule then so be it. I don’t think about the win. I think about being better than I’ve ever been before; I set the mark high and see myself achieving it. If I am better than I’ve been, there is no losing.
This is what I saw in Kathy when she performed tonight. No ego, just grit and working it through to perfection. As for who goes home tomorrow night? Watch for someone who has perhaps some style and attitude, but has not done the work or been self-driven to achieve. If a competitor considers the workweek a lark or puts something else in front of her goal then the performance will resemble the same thing. If the competitor has focused, been disciplined and fought all week to achieve then this is a person who is meant to be the only left standing.
No crying or whining. There is no excusing from the table of labor. There is no “Gee I’m too tired.” There is only the work and driving it home to the night of performance and then doing it all over again. Then and only then, when you walk out before an audience who wants you to play to them and with them, you play to and with them with skill and energy and not by the natural seat of your pants. Anything less is not enough. Look for these behaviors in a winner.
Let’s talk about the entertainment aspect of tonight’s show. Kudos to them! This is live entertainment and anything can happen and does as the competition progresses. Tom Bergeron is a wonderful host with a quick and ready wit. He not only shares that wit during the competition, and keeps the show moving and on time.
And then there’s Max. He’s a beautiful precision dancer with great skill and this dynamic sassy personality. He is my favorite to watch of the professional men dancers. Also watch Derek who has tremendous rhythm and mobility. He shows the audience great lines as he performs intricate steps.
For the women in this competition, I believe it’s Kathy all the way. But she has a fierce competitor right behind her in Natalie.
I will not be watching tomorrow, as I will be working. Thank God for the Internet where I can view the rerun of the show later. Or… you can just write a response to this blog and tell me what you think I missed!
Dance on, whether it be in the moonlight or on the 42nd street in your heart. May you be blessed with happy feet!
Best… Carolyn Thomas Temple