Learning & Goals

I have taken this week to re-evaluate a lot of things.

I needed to take a step back and remember what is really important.

I am a people pleaser by fault.

I have a really hard time when I know I've let people down.

This is the first week that I have had Miss Alex teach one of the classes that I have taught since Day 1.

This class is full of little ones that I have taught for 2 years. Little ones that I have had since they were just 2 years old...It was hard. Today was hard being somewhere else teaching kids I've never met knowing all those kids were having dance class and I wasn't there to watch them grow. I had to fix another teachers mistakes. I needed to pick up the pieces. I left that class today with happy faces and hugs from these kids I've never met. It was all okay in the end and I am looking forward to teaching them.  

I am learning.

Today, I am up to teaching 22 classes/week. 

That is a lot of dancing...A lot of little kids...and A lot of patience. 

So far, this week, I have survived.

In the past three days, I have taught 14 classes on top of everything else running the business. I still feel like I've got enough patience & energy to get through the week.

I have interviewed a new teacher tonight that I think will work out well. But, I'm not just going to throw her to the wolves. I'm going to teach with her for the first 2 classes, and then sit outside and evalutate for the next two that she's alone...things are changing around here.

This was the first week that I could take a deep breath. I got to pay myself again. Like a real paycheck. I felt so accomplished seeing that come in the mail today knowing that I wasn't stressed about it. I earned it and don't have to feel guilty about it. 

So...some goals. 

*Hire & train new employees so that my classes go from 22/week to eventually 10/week. I'm not going to just let anyone in there, so it's going to take some time. There is a light though. I have great dance parents that are 100% supportive.

*Get organized. 

*Get organized.

*Get organized.

*Take time for myself. Today was great. Mid-day I went on a walk with Katie from the Community Center to Starbucks and back. It was perfect. Time with my best friend, fresh fall air and a treat at the end. I need to do more things like that. 

*Make sure I am taking time for Matt so he knows how much he means to me. Sometimes it's okay to work for 10 hours and come home and watch a roller coaster show... 

We're re-evaluating a lot around here. Making some not so fun decisions, but ones that we know will be better in the long run.

Not So Fun Decision #1...We have shortened our Disneyland trip to just the long weekend. We were going to be going for a 6-Day Park Hopper...we shortened that to 4. That's 3 days with my team kids doing the Christmas Parade and one full day to enjoy each other together at our favorite place on earth. I almost cried, but then I didn't. Matt said it's because I'm different now.

There are a few not-so-fun's we're talking about...but just one thing at a time. 

I haven't had a panic attack in a very, very long time. 

I'm stronger. I can feel it when I have parent conflict or situations at dance. I don't take it personally and I'm harder. There's more of a shield in there than there used to be. I have confidence in myself and my program. 

--Chelsea Kay--