Son and I… we’re entrepreneurial sorts of people. We would far rather be working for ourselves than for “The Man”. We want to someday have our own successful company. We love being our own bosses.

However, I’ve always thought of ballet differently. With ballet, I want to be a part of a company. A big one, even. I would far rather be working for someone else as a dancer, than trying to create a ballet company on my own (at least, for now).

But the other day, as Son and I were discussing my attempt at a dance career, he had a good point – I need to approach my career just as I would a startup.

When you’re trying to start a successful company, there is no dilly-dallying, there’s little time for play. Every working hour is devoted towards bettering the company, and making it the best it can be. I have to treat my body and career like this – as much as possible, I should be working towards improvement. There’s always more that I can do.

If there’s an additional class that I can take, as there were this week, then I should take it – even if it means being the only adult in a class full of teenaged dancers. I need to put aside any pride and all shyness, and put myself out there – I’m never going to get anywhere if I’m too proud, too shy to do what needs to be done.

I’ve put everything else aside. I’m minimally blogging on Sushi Day and Fridgg. I’m hardly coding these days, although when I’m just stretching or resting I’m often reading about code. I barely write in the RPG forum that I’m a part of – although I miss it dearly, I just don’t have the time anymore. Heck, it takes all I’ve got to keep a clean(ish) apartment and keep myself fed, when I’m dancing or working out 4 or more hours every day (plus whatever I can fit in at home).

It’s taking a toll, yes. I’m napping more often, and today was having definite pain in my bad ankle that kept me out of jumps in my third class of the day. (Ice, ice, and Advil. Don’t worry, I’m taking care of it… and will take it easier tomorrow, lest I injure myself.)

But as with a startup, I’m willing to put all that I’ve got into this. I have to. Auditions start in a month, and I’d better be ready…