The number ONE. It’s a powerful symbol, isn't it? We strive to be the number one in our careers, to be the one person who makes a difference, and to be one step closer to our goals every single day. For Pro/Am competitive dancers, this number holds the key to overcoming frustration and truly enjoying the journey. It's a secret to unlocking your full potential, not through massive, overnight transformations, but through the relentless, quiet power of getting just one percent better with every practice, lesson, and competition.

As dancers, we pour countless hours and resources into our passion. We practice routines, invest in lessons, and travel to competitions - all with the hope of seeing tangible improvement. But without a clear strategy, it's easy to feel like you're spinning your wheels. The secret to accelerating your progress and truly enjoying the journey is simple: Intentional focus.

This is where the concept of the "Power of One" comes in. The goal isn't to fix everything at once. That's a recipe for frustration and burnout. Instead, make a deliberate decision to focus on improving just one specific thing at a time.

Imagine your teacher asks you to work on your Rumba walks. Instead of trying to perfect the entire routine, commit to focusing on a single detail: the placement of your foot, the connection in your core, or the extension of your leg. By concentrating all your effort on this one small element, you are building a stronger, more stable foundation. This isn’t a one-day fix; it’s a mindset of continuous improvement.

The Champion’s Mindset: One Step at a Time

A champion’s recipe for success is simple: a mix of specific intention with the mindset of getting just one percent better. This mental approach is what separates good dancers from great ones. It helps you stay present and aware of your progress, no matter how small it may seem.

Think about it in terms of these simple rules:

• One step at a time: Don’t worry about the full routine; perfect the next step.

• One dance at a time: Focus entirely on the dance you are performing right now.

• One day at a time: Make today’s practice better than yesterday’s.

• One competition at a time: Don’t let past results or future expectations cloud your current performance.

By keeping the idea of one at the forefront of your mind, you give yourself the grace to grow without overwhelming yourself.

Actionable Exercises to Implement Today

Want to start making that 1% improvement a reality? Here are two simple exercises you can use in your daily practice:

1. The Single-Focus Drill: Pick one technical detail to work on for your next lesson. It could be the timing of a hip movement in Cha-Cha, the frame in a Waltz turn, or the foot articulation in a Rumba walk. During your practice, dedicate five minutes to this single focus. Forget everything else; just work on that one thing. You’ll be amazed at how quickly you see results.

2. The One-Take Video: Film a short part of your routine. Watch it back and identify just one area for improvement—maybe you need to straighten your back on that one step or hold your arm position for an extra second. Don’t get caught up in all the other imperfections. Work on that one thing, then film it again. This exercise helps you train your eye to spot a single point of focus and track your progress in real time.

Remember, the journey to becoming a great dancer isn't a race. It's a series of small, intentional steps. Embrace the power of one, and watch your entire performance transform.