"If nothing ever changed, there'd be no butterflies" ~ Author Unknown

Here we are...2010. I'm sure you've got resolutions and goals on

your mind right now.

However, today I wanted to shine a light on a different

perspective, since many people's resolutions are broken within a week of the

new year and goals forgotten as quickly as they've been set.

Everyone knows that the past couple of years have been a

roller coaster ride of economic change.

Myself included, can attest that we have felt the pinch in certain areas of our dance studio

business that have caused us to get creative, flexible and innovative.

In so many ways these challenges have been just what we needed to adapt,

make positive changes, and get clear on what we do best.

This week's tip: 2010 will be the best year of your life. You can

cause it to be by being flexible and innovative.

To innovate by definition is to introduce something new; make

changes in anything established.

Flexible, in this example by definition is to be adaptable: to

adjust, modify, rework.

How to be flexible and innovative in 2010:

--> Do something new that you haven't done before:

Add a specialty class, host an open house, perform at a community

event you've not done before, go to a competition, put yourself out

there, invite people to share with others why they'd want to take

dance from you. Go to a conference you've never been to, host a

summer intensive, network with the moms, teach at a preschool, give

referral coupons to current students to give to friends.

Try at least one new thing that you have been wanting to do. Now is the time.

--> Make a change to something you've always done:

What's not working for you right now that you've always done? Is it

the out of date print advertising the isn't converting? Is it

paying someone to do a job that you could simplify and automate

with new technology?

Are you stuck in an area that you could use

help in and are trying to do everything on your own? Is your

website out of date? Do you really need to spend money on all of those printed

documents? Are those fees up to date?

What are you resisting that you could give up? Let it go, make a change.

--> Get flexible with what you have:

What areas of your dance studio business could benefit and grow if

you made a slight adjustment? Leverage the resources and assets you

have by asking people to put in 110%. Stretch your dollars by

investing in tools and resources that help you produce results

quickly and efficiently.

Give up having to do things the way you

think everyone does them or that is the only way for it to be

effective. What could you rework or modify at your dance studio so

that you could finally get results? What could you rework or

modify when it comes to music, costumes, or choreography?

Can you ask for help where you need it most?

Take some time to read and answer these questions. See if you get

some insights, find yourself inspired, take action on at least one

area now.

It's easy to get stopped by thinking you have to get it all done

today, to get it right, or to figure it out on your own.

You are incredibly talented, bright, and resourceful. Say something new

today, do one thing that you've been putting off. This is your year

to make it happen.

We're here to support and encourage you because we know it's never worth

giving up on your dream.

If you read Dance Teacher Magazine, the new January issue

has an article on page 54 about determining class fees, I had a

chance to share what has worked at our studio and there are some

other great tips from veteran studio owners as well. Enjoy!

Need Music Editing Software?

If you are looking for a open-source free music editing software,

Audacity is an easy-to-use audio editor and recorder for Windows,

Mac OS X, GNU/Linux and other operating systems. I use it to edit

our teleseminars and music tracks.

Here is where you can download it: http://audacity.sourceforge.net/

You can use Audacity to: Record live audio, Convert tapes and

records into digital recordings or CDs, Edit MP3, WAV or AIFF sound

files, Cut, copy, splice or mix sounds together. Change the speed

or pitch of a recording.