Renata is not your average ballerina. She is beautiful, and her posture is exquisite- but she is the type of ballerina that decides to escape to a circus island with a bunch of strangers calibrate her meditation, her mind, her yoga and meet the right ‘type’ of people.
For the last 10 years, Renata has been working as a professional contemporary and classical dancer. Born and studied dance in Sydney, Australia, she moved to Europe to train professionally in ballet. Upon graduation, Renata worked with world-renowned choreographers and companies: Ohad Naharin, Jiří Kylian, Stephan Thoss, Mats Ek, Opera de Lyon, Victor Ullate and Ballet Nice Mediterranee and most recently Les Grands Ballets Canadiens.
As well as dancing professionally, Renata takes on many other projects to keep learning and challenging herself. Exploring collaborative contemporary performance and film projects, while training in Dance Therapy, Dancer representative and event planning and business development As a guest speaker at Momentom Collective, Renata shares 12 Keys to success in manifesting her dreams
1. HAVE LASER FOCUS DETERMINATION
Know what you want and go directly towards that goal.
In my opinion, to achieve your dreams, you need to get crystal clear on a mindset that is ultra committed, ultra determined, and ultra persistent. This drive and unwavering certainty in yourself is what will allow you to achieve the impossible. Even when you are rejected in auditions, keep going, see the bigger picture and only settle for the best.
2. TEST AND RESPECT YOUR EDGES.
We all have boundaries, both physical and mental. Allowing yourself to test your edges and limits is a communication you are having with yourself to see where there is room for you to optimize. Physically, as a ballerina, you are constantly pushed to improve posture and technique. Part of knowing your edges is to know when to listen and take a break, hence avoiding injury.
In the same breath,your mental stamina is important. People view artists and dancers as non- achievers, or hippies, do not listen to them. There will be countless people in your life that will have no problem telling you their opinions of your life choices, know what to absorb and what to reject. It is a competitive industry out there and if some aren’t so secure about themselves they turn it to others.
3. ASK FOR HELP.
There is always somebody out there that has done it before, failed before and have the right advice for someone just starting off. Ask them their story, ask their advice. In the world, there are people who live on scarcity and those that live in abundance, find those that live in expansive abundance and who are willing to share tips and advice. Regardless of status or fame, do not be afraid to ask. Listen. Absorb. And implement. Always be willing to see a different perspective.
4. KNOW WHEN TO LET GO.
To create space for new opportunities or circumstances to present themselves, there are times that you need to let go of what you are used to and follow your intuition. Even when you think you are at a moment in your path where you have ‘made’ it, remember that nothing is permanent and that things will inevitably change. Follow this change, Trust this change- it is your key to continued growth and new heights. If you feel you are not in the right environment to achieve this, let go of this ‘old dream’ and believe you will find what you need next.
Remember to have time for YOU and to have fun and feel good. You need to be able to take a break and live life. Finding a balance in what you do, so you can keep being the best of you on and off the focused path.
5. ENJOY THE JOURNEY.
Take time off. Play. Laugh. Be silly. Go on adventures. We live once and it’s important to enjoy it. As artists, what we do in our daily life and free time, is what we bring to our art or to the stage. The more life experiences we have in our daily life (also the shitty!), the more resources, inspiration, and variety we can bring to our art.
6. CELEBRATE THE VICTORIES.
We tend to forget about celebrating the successes in what we have achieved. We are always busy looking forward to the next challenge, the next ‘thing’. However don’t forget to appreciate and be grateful for the small and/or big steps along the way. It might be learning a new technique, being accepted at a new school, having the opportunity to perform or be in a show; whatever it is, acknowledge it. It means that you are growing and moving forward, and that you are one step closer to your dream. What we give value to is what becomes important to us in our daily life, what we nurture grows; so if your dreams are important to you, value all your successes!
7. OWN IT AND BELIEVE IT!
Fake it till you make it. Hands down. You are already the person and the star you want to be. Envision it and step into it. Believe in yourself and go with absolute certainty at whatever opportunity or goal you are aiming to achieve. If you’re auditioning for a performance, walk in as if iyou already have the job and it’s your first day of work! You’ve got this!
8. DON’T GIVE A FUCK.
What people think of you is none of your business. This is the ’magical thinking.’ Most of what you think people are thinking of you is made up in your mind. This is a waste of energy and a pounding on your confidence. Cut it off and get your thoughts on the higher frequency of believing and owning what you want.
9. EVALUATE YOUR ‘EXCUSES’
Be honest with yourself and be aware of your ‘excuses’ to be sure you’re not procrastinating what you really want. When you see yourself coming up with excuses, have triggers that put you in the mood to get things done: music, meditate, singing.
10. VISUALIZE IN YOUR MIND WHAT IT IS YOU WANT TO ACHIEVE.
Recognize the difference between your beliefs and the way things actually are; what limiting beliefs are you imposing upon yourself? What excuses are you making for yourself? What are you telling yourself you can’t do that maybe you can? Shift those thoughts to empowering ones.
Find tools or reminders that will support you in being motivated and inspired; perhaps meditation, music, a power nap, or a walk; whatever supports you in getting into the zone.
11. QUALITY OVER QUANTITY.
Sometimes it’s a matter of focusing on creating one beautiful masterpiece, rather than plenty of mediocre ones.
12. REMEMBER YOUR WHY.
Play. Make time to create simply for the joy of creating. Don’t forget the reason why you got into this in the first place. Create just for the sake of it; not in preparation for a performance, or a show, or for a finished product, or for income; but just quite simply, for the love of the art.