Shawn here! Before we dive in:

If you’re ready for real, practical teaching strategies that actually work (without years of trial and error), my Dance Teacher Playbook is packed with exactly that. Have you seen it?

😭 3 Tips for Dancers Who Didn’t Win (aka 97% of them)

Because crying on the dressing room floor isn’t a growth strategy…

Let’s be real: not every dancer is walking home with hardware. But that doesn’t mean they walk away empty-handed.

Since this was such a big topic of discussion, (thanks to those of you who messaged me) here’s a recap of 3 simple, and totally unsexy tips to help dancers bounce back like champions. (And actually improve next time!)

1. Be a Student of the Obvious 👀

It’s obvious who’s doing the work. It’s obvious who has clean technique. It’s obvious who’s growing fast.

Instead of eye-rolling or scrolling past, study them. Copy what’s working. Apply it.
Success leaves clues. Winners leave footprints. Follow them.

2. Become a Good Reader 📚

Yes, I said it. Read. There are books, blogs, and bite-sized resources everywhere. Want to grow your mindset, leadership, or artistry? Crack a page.

The most successful dancers I know don’t just train their bodies. They train their brains.

3. Ask for Help 🙋🏽‍♀️

This one’s big. Asking for help isn’t weak—it’s wise.

Coaches, mentors, teachers, even friends… are right there. Most dancers don’t ask because they’re afraid of looking lost. But asking is how you stay found. The strongest dancers I know ask questions. And it shows.

So what now?

If your dancers didn’t win—cool. They’re in the 97%.

What matters is what happens next. Now you know what to tell ‘em.

Shawn B

P.S. My book ‘You Came To Slay!’ does the heavy lifting for you. The workbook is filled with thought-provoking questions dancers ask and answer themselves. It even deals with what to do after failure! But have YOU read it?

New here? Want more tips like this? Join my newsletter Dance Teacher Insider— for motivation, tools, and resources to help your dancers slay every season. It’s free!

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