So far this year I would say the best thing that I have done is take a few risks. I am the type of person who will stay safe in the box and maybe occasionally step out. This year it has been one of my top goals to step out more often and to take (good) risks involving activities at school, extra curricular, and using my initiative to join clubs that I wouldn’t normally do.

 So the first thing I decided to do was sign I up at a dance school. Dancing is my passion. I Live to dance. I love the feeling you get when you’re on stage or on the dance floor, the music is pumping, the lights are flashing and your just letting rip having a really good time. I particularly enjoy Hip Hop.

I have been dancing since I was 7 at exam level. I have done lots of shows and won many awards. I stopped dancing at my other dance school because I didn’t have enough time and going in to High School I needed as much time as possible. But this year I thought why not join again? So I did. It was the best decision.

A week after joining they put up a sign on the door that said "Phoenix Dance Workshop Weekend" In Hamilton. I asked around and got a couple of pamphlets. It was a weekend  away with the Dance school leaving by bus on Saturday morning at 6am and traveling down to Hamilton where you would attend Dance workshops.

Sounded Amazing. So I signed myself up. I felt pretty proud afterwards because I had once again done something small to achieve my goal. After many months of waiting the weekend arrived. I was so excited, still am when I think about it. The only thing was after all my excitement when I signed up I didn’t realize that it was an audition process and you won scholarships and prizes and that the Dance teachers where world known.

My Hip Hop teacher Jet was one of the Finalists from Dancing with the Stars. So it was a big honour.It was so much more than amazing, so many feelings went through nay head as I was climbing down the steps off the bus when we arrived, excitement, anxious ECT. Also what I didn’t know is we would have to attend dance classes not just the type of dance that you do but others as well. So not only did I do Hip Hop i did Jazz, Musical theatre, Funk, lyrical, Rhythmic, Another chance to step out of my comfort zone and try something new.

That weekend i learnt so many skills and techniques when performing. I learnt heaps of fantastic dances. One of the main skills i was able to pick up in Hamilton is to worry about other people when you perform, to just let go, have fun, and go hard out. Before Hamilton, dancing by myself in front of lots of people would have terrified me. Even if i went in a group of four.

And guess what? 

While in Hamilton we got put in groups of four and had to dance in front of 150 people as it was not just my Dance school but dance schools from all over the country. When i first had to dance in the group i was scared and lots of thoughts ran through my head while they where watching.

What if they see me muck up? Do i look okay? I am i doing this right? After a couple of goes I started to get used to the feeling. While I was off the dance floor I visualized myself getting up there smiling like I don’t care and strutting my stuff and people were clapping. (Technique that my dad thought me) See blog one.

Eventually I got up there and Danced like it was my last ever time that I could dance. It felt. There are no words to describe it. My facials that I was doing to the music were insane. I felt a bit like a freak but it was worth it. I stuffed up a couple of times but I didn’t care. This was a once in a life time experience and I never would off been able to go on it if it wasn’t for that little bit off Risk Taking I took.

 Another step I took to achieving my goal was joining Stage Challenge was going to do it last year but I was too afraid and shy. This year I went and auditioned and what do you know I got in. I didn’t know a soul, but I took a step out of my comfort zone went up to a girl that I thought looked nice and said "Hi my names Jade “im a loner can I hang out with you?" and just by doing that I have made some life long friends that have helped me through the whole of stage challenge.

Those are just two if the things that I have done to get closer to achieving my goal. They were so very worth it and I don’t think I have ever had so much fun. So next time your to scared or don’t want to step out of your comfort zone. Do it, I encourage you to. Ask yourself these questions. Will I regret not doing it? Is it something I love? What’s the worst that can happen?