How we motivate our faculty and students has a direct correlation with positive energy, high spirit and a genuine belief that we can accomplish the goals we set forth for our studios and students. If we ourselves are inspired and self-motivated, we can then parlay that into something magical. This is when the entire studio family is on the same page, with the same vision; ready to succeed beyond the imaginable.

As a new season is upon us, Studio Owners, you must have been thinking over the last few weeks how to best be that motivator, that “fire-starter” for your students, faculty and studio families. This is the time when we have a million ideas running through our minds, energy charged and refreshed and ready to hit the ground running for a fabulous new season! As the owner, you are the ring-leader, the master of ceremonies, the chief, the director, the head coach…. and your team is going to look to you for the cue on where this year will take you all.

There are so many things to consider when starting a new season and now is a great time to reflect on the things that may have been successful and not so successful last year to make a fresh start moving forward. Experience and hind-sight are two of our greatest inspirations, so make the most of building on all of your accomplishments as well as the failures. Remember, “failure,” is not a dirty word and can come to be one of your own greatest motivators. Take the lessons learned in stride and revamp, renew and re-energize to make this season even more successful than the last. It’s all about layering and building year to year. Remember, nothing ever worth having comes overnight. This rings true for your students as well. Instant gratification is a flash in the pan. What’s that old saying, “slow and steady, wins the race?” Well, it’s true! Pace yourself and don’t feel the pressure to do things like everyone else.

Your students are unique and so is your business. With every year that goes by, you are another year wiser with more experience under your belt. Your big-picture goals will become clearer and how to accomplish them more tangible. Consequently, this will create a clearer approach to motivating everyone around you. You can’t motivate if you yourself are not motivated, so it all starts with you. This trickle-down effect can be extremely powerful and make your studio a force to be reckoned with. Technically, spiritually, financially and artistically.

Remember, a business is like a work of art or piece of choreography; always a work-in-progress. So, continue to plan, organize, develop, execute, edit, tweak and follow-through on what you know is best for your business to thrive and your dancers to succeed. Furthermore, you made great strides and put great effort into building the team around you to make this vision come alive, so let that staff and faculty do what they’re there to do and remind them of their importance to you! No man is an island and while you are the delegator, let that amazing faculty you’ve painstakingly assembled support your endeavors as well and share in that common goal along the way. Below are some important things to think about as the year gets underway. Use them as a catalyst to get your thoughts going how to be a successful motivator and a studio owner who understands teamwork and a unified vision is the beginning to dreams becoming reality.

• How do you plan to kick-start your year?
• How will you motivate returning families and faculty and inspire new clients and new teachers?
• What social activities/get-togethers do you have in store for your “welcome back event?”
• What are your plans for the year ahead?
• What are the goals your wish to achieve?
• What were some of the things that worked really well last year? What are some things that need to change going forward?
• When are you having that welcome back “team meeting” with faculty and staff?
• When are you having that welcome back meeting with parents and students?
• Where would you like to see your student progress develop this year?
• How would you like to see the business aspect of your studio progress?
• What new additions would you like to try this year in terms of classes, performance, etc.?