"I wonder if my students will return in the fall?", "I'm afraid I won't have enough students to meet my expenses!", "Will the economy have an effect on my enrollment?" Do you go to bed at night worried about these things? If so, you are definitely not alone. So how do you deal with the stress, anxiety, and concerns that both new and experienced dance studio owners face?

I've had some great conversations with some of our members recently on our forum, on the phone, and on email. The resounding theme is the worry of competition and the fear of not achieving the success you hope for.

My best advice is to BE YOU! Don't try to be like anyone else. What matters most is that you do what you do - and do it GREAT. It's your personality and passion that will separate you from the rest. Yes, there will always be competition. Competition in business is what keeps the standards high and keeps you expanding.

When you find yourself creeping into fear and uncertainty, here are three things you can do:

1. Take a step back and get present to what you have accomplished so far. Acknowledge your successes.

2. Surround yourself with people that are positive. Don't let the doom and gloom conversation about the economy get you down.

3. Keep reminding yourself about why you do what you do. Is it your love for dance, your love of teaching, your love of performance, all of it, and more?

In her book, "Basic Black", Cathie Black President of Hearst Magazines talks about using fear as a launching pad. "Instead of fighting it and trying to push back, you can use it to motivate yourself".

Those moments when you feel the greatest fear and doubt can be transformed into the defining moments of creativity, perseverance, and success in your business.

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