Rudolph knows what it means to be unique.
If you'll recall his well-known story, at first he tried to blend in and be like everyone else. That didn't work out so well.
Although he always had a few special friends who believed in him, Rudolph didn't prosper until he embraced his own unique gifts and leveraged them to the fullest. Eventually, he went on to save Christmas and gain acceptance by his peers and his community.
Santa and Rudolph stopped by earlier this week during one of their test flights over New York. I asked Rudolph if he would share his tips on originality. He accepted graciously and added specific recommendations for tango dancers.
1. Accept that you are unique
You aren't like anyone else. No one moves the way that you do. No one hears music the way that you do. As long as you stay true to your own vision, your tango style will be your very own.
2. Do what you find appealing
You know what style of tango appeal to you. Seek out teachers who can help you to progress in that style. Seek partners who dance the way that you like to dance. Avoid trends and conventions.
One day, you'll look back over your years as a dancer. Did you spend them expressing yourself fully? Or did you simply do what everyone else was doing at the time?
3. Innovate actively
Focus on your own movement, your own musical interpretation, your own choreography. The world is full of dancers who copy each other's steps. Don't be one of them.
Avoid the herd. Come up with sequences that no one else is dancing. Dance to music that no one else is using. Decide what you want your dancing to say, and put your heart and soul into communicating that message.
4. Work every day
Set aside time each day to dance, to practice technique, to visualize steps or to research music. Inspiration finds you when you're working, not when you're sitting on the couch.
Christmas comes only once a year, but the people behind the scenes (you know who they are) work every day to make sure that when the day comes, it's really special. If your tango means something to you, then you should be working on it constantly, not only when it's convenient.
5. Stay fresh
Mix things up. Vary your approach now and then. Go to a milonga that you haven't visited. Try dancing to an unfamiliar orchestra. Sign up for a workshop in a style that's less familiar to you. Do things differently. Take chances that you would normally avoid.
Some of your experiments will fail. Congratulations! Thomas Edison would be proud of you. Learn what you can, revise your plan, and go and dance some more.
6. Be patient
Give yourself time. Don't be too hard on yourself, especially when you're trying something new. Your creative style will emerge at its own pace. If you chase it, it will just move further away. As long as your are working, you are improving. Results will appear soon.
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I would very much like to thank Rudolph and The Big Guy for stopping by at this most busy time of year. I enjoyed their valuable insights, and I hope that you'll find inspiration in their advice.
Now, if you'll excuse me, I need to dash off to the store to pick up some more milk and cookies, because I appear to have run out.
¡Buena suerte amigos, y muchas gracias!
Daniel
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