Changing the Internal Narrative
Shifting from judgment to growth-oriented thinking
Self-critique: The act of evaluating, judging, or scrutinizing oneself — often with a focus on perceived flaws, mistakes, or inadequacies.
Self-coaching: The practice of guiding yourself to improve, recognising progress, acknowledging weaknesses, and continuously working toward your goals with a supportive mindset.
Why does this distinction matter?
When we are constantly self-critical, we often become negative about our dancing and even about ourselves. Everything starts to feel wrong. That joyful spark that made us love dance in the first place can slowly fade.
But when we shift into a self-coaching mindset, we begin to see our growth. We learn to appreciate the wins — big and small. Our flaws become part of our journey, not something to hide from. We find fulfilment in progress, in becoming stronger artists, and in refining our technique.
With a negative lens, even genuine improvements can go unnoticed. That’s why it’s so important to acknowledge and celebrate small steps forward. Yes, there will always be room for growth — but that shouldn’t stop us from recognising how far we’ve come.
A coach doesn’t see a student as a problem, but as a puzzle — one they’re committed to helping piece together. Sometimes that means saying something differently. Other times, it’s finding a new exercise or approach that helps unlock a movement or position.
Instead of judging your flaws, see them as areas you’re aware of — and how incredible is that? You have specific, tangible things you can improve. That’s a gift. A good coach doesn’t fear the “bad” parts — they work with them, refine them, and move forward. Dance is constant research and refinement. Let your imperfections be opportunities, not roadblocks.
When we judge ourselves harshly, we often start to fear the very things we’re judging. But when we accept those areas and spend time working on them, they lose their power over us. You stop fearing your weaknesses when you meet them daily with patience and effort.
It’s fantastic that you want to grow — the fact that you care so deeply already sets you apart. But please, be kind to yourself along the way. Even the smallest improvement is still progress.
Celebrate it.
Wrapping Up
Shifting from self-critique to self-coach isn’t about ignoring your flaws — it’s about changing how you see them. Your growth doesn’t come from being hard on yourself; it comes from being committed, curious, and consistent. The more you guide yourself with care, the more progress you’ll unlock — not just in your dancing, but in your confidence, too.
