Practice Tips for Perfectionists
“If I cannot get a certain move, is it better for me to work on that move individually, or to get the whole choreography together by heart and THEN work on that move? (My type of mind tends to hyperfocus on the move I get wrong)”
Oooo, this is so relatable—especially for those of us who identify as perfectionists.
My answer? Yes and yes.
When you’re stuck on a move, it’s totally normal to hyperfocus for a bit. BUT to practice effectively, you’ll want to zoom in and zoom out. This approach ensures you can see progress and manage frustration.
ZOOM IN:
Focus on the challenging spot by breaking it down “slow-mo” into its parts and corresponding counts (ex: 12-3456-7&8). Take time to just listen to the music (no dancing). Get a feel for where the move fits on those counts (or musical accents). Make up silly names or sound effects that you can say in your head - novelty can make something stick!
Tips for Zooming In:
Limit yourself to 5–10 minutes of this hyperfocused work, then go back to the choreography.
Be sure to practice the 8–16 counts before & after your trouble spot to avoid creating “blank spaces” in your memory. Connecting the “train cars” or choreo sections together ensures your transitions flow.
Video yourself! Look for clues (are you on the correct leg? Is your timing off?) but also celebrate signs of improvement. You can even ask to share a short clip with your teacher for some quick advice.
ZOOM OUT:
When we hyperfocus, we can lose the forest for the trees. Balance detail with perspective.
Yes, technique IS important! But don’t focus so much on getting every detail right that your flow becomes disjointed, or that you forget to bring the joy that will make your performance come alive.
Sometimes “good enough” on the small stuff gives you room to shine in what really matters.
