Realistic Time Management Strategies for Dancers
One question I get a lot from dancers is “How do I manage my time more effectively?”.
What they’re really asking is “How can I get more done?“.
Most dancers I know don’t have a time management problem. They have an overscheduling problem.
Dancers are actually incredible at time management. Our training and careers demand a high level of discipline, structure, and organization. We are excellent at finding ways to get it all done.
To excel in our chose field, we constantly feel the pressure to keep adding things to our schedule. More private lessons, another competition, an extra audition.
There comes a time when more isn’t better; it’s just more.
You need to ask yourself: Am I really struggling to manage my time? Or am I just trying to squeeze more activities into 24 hours than is humanly possible?
Let’s take a look at what a daily schedule might look like for you as a dancer in high school:
On any given weekday, you likely have some combination of school, dance class and rehearsal. If you look at the graphic above, you might think to yourself: I have loads of free time!
But let’s talk about all of the things you’re not accounting for on this schedule:
Sleep
I cannot overstate the importance of this one. As an athlete, you need 8-10 hours of sleep every. single. night. Sleep is essential for muscle recovery, cognitive function, and emotional well-being. Adequate sleep also reduces the risk of injury and supports a strong immune system. If you want to be able to dance at your highest level sleep needs to be prioritized!
Getting ready and travel time
If you’re always feeling rushed, you might not be accurately accounting for the amount of time it truly takes you to get ready and travel to each activity. For one week, try timing how long it takes you to get ready (hair, clothing, makeup, etc), eat your meals/snacks, and travel from place to place. You’ll have a much more realistic sense of how much time it really takes you to get the show on the road.
Homework
If you’re still in school, chances are you have homework most days. At the beginning of each month, take a look at the assignments and tests you have coming up. Schedule time on your calendar to study or start working on big assignments so you’re not always left cramming. Don’t just add it to your to-do list - actually choose a time when you are going to work on it and stick to it as much as possible. If you find you’re constantly having to push things off, that’s a sign you’re expectations of how much you can get done are not realistic. Time to go back to the drawing board and reprioritize.
Note: this applies to so many other things too. Whether it’s getting materials ready for audition season or running your side gig, putting specific tasks on your calendar keeps you accountable and on-track.
Fun!
Sounds wacky - but with schedules as demanding as ours you have to make time for fun. Put it on your calendar. And remember that everyone’s definition of fun is different - one person’s might be spending the day at the zoo and another person’s might be laying in bed watching Netflix. Whatever you need to recharge yourself, make time for it!
After you schedule all of these activities, your calendar might look more like this:
Weekday
Weekend
If it feels more overwhelming to have every minute accounted for versus your previous schedule consider this: it was already accounted for. You just couldn’t see it visually so in your mind you thought you had more time than you really do. When it’s all laid out you’re making sure you don’t mistake an empty space for free time that doesn’t really exist.
You might do this exercise and realize - there’s no way you’re going to be able to do all the activities you have scheduled and still maintain your sanity.
But how do you choose what to give up? It all feels so important!
Go back to your goals.
What are your goals for this year? What do you really want to accomplish?
Prioritize the activities that are going to move the needle on your goals. Let go of the ones that are not moving you forward - you can always come back to them later.
(If you’re looking for some support in setting goals that are within your control this year, tune in to Episode 7 of The Brainy Ballerina podcast with Dr. Chelsea Pierotti - she has loads of actionable advice on how to set goals that are aligned with your values).
In the end time management isn’t about finding more time. It’s about being realistic with the time we have and prioritizing it effectively so that you can reach your goals without burning out.
Meet the Author
Caitlin Sloan is a Dance Educator and Career Mentor based in Madison, WI.
Caitlin received her Bachelor of Arts in Dance from Grand Valley State University and Graduate Certificate in Nonprofit Management from the University of Missouri.
She danced professionally for nine years with companies including Ballet Tucson and Missouri Contemporary Ballet (now Mareck Dance). Caitlin has taught at schools all over the Midwest, most notably serving as Director of The School of Missouri Contemporary Ballet and Youth Company Director for Central Indiana Dance Ensemble. She is currently on faculty at the School of Madison Ballet.
Caitlin founded The Brainy Ballerina® in 2019, a virtual resource providing support and guidance for aspiring ballet dancers. Follow @thebrainyballerina on Instagram for your daily dose of dance career guidance and inspiration.
