I spent the majority of my twenties and thirties trying to make a living off my talents and skills, and I was able to survive, but the ending was always the same. I would become frustrated, unchallenged, and bored to death. Why? I wasn’t functioning in MY GIFT. I was educated, talented, creative, and had a well-developed skill set but something was always missing.
Here’s the thing, we carry our GIFT around with us, it’s that thing we do naturally, that thing you do for FREE and never consider charging for it because it comes so easily. If you are lucky you will have mentors, teachers, and friends who reflect it to you, teach you HOW to use it, and provide opportunities.
It’s no secret I bore easily, but my GIFT is the reason. I process information differently than others. I’m a visionary, I see the end first and work backward. I detest wasting time, so efficiency is my best friend and I believe simplicity produces consistency and quality. I process information quicker than average, can see the missed potential, and keep my goal as my focal point. These qualities make me a good choreographer, but a GREAT Strategist.
I’ve been blessed to work with some of the best choreographers in the world, living legends, and dynamic artists, but I’ve also worked with some pretty subpar, Mofos as well. So, what’s the difference. The difference is that the GREAT ones have vision! They have a story, which automatically shifts your mindset and expands your perspective beyond the steps. Why does this matter? Vision and story matter because you give the dancers an end goal. You give them a reason to show up for rehearsal ready to work, you give them their position and responsibilities, and you give them the reason to push past exhaustion and frustration. Setting the vision automatically sets the expectations and standards, which removes all the bs and leaves space and opportunity for the real work to be produced.
Vision and story set the stage, but the TEACHING OF THE STEPS is what transforms an idea into an actual dance. The teaching of the steps, the process, rehearsal, is where the real magic happens. It is the ability to take what’s in your heart and head, create steps, and then deliver that information in a method that others can not only understand but apply efficiently. And this is MY GIFT: STRATEGIC DEVELOPMENT!
The majority of people will only ever see a completed version of a dance on stage, which lasts about 5 minutes and excellent dancers make it look easy, but that’s the furthest thing from the truth. First off, that “excellence” was actually, untapped potential and had to be recognized, drawn-out, and nurtured. The truth is to create 5 minutes of gracious beauty, takes a minimum of 5 months of blood, sweat, and tears behind the scenes. If I’m going to have to bleed, sweat, and cry then I want to work with someone who can take me from point A to point Z, make me laugh throughout the process, recognizes my potential, and kicks me out my own way. Not to toot my own horn…but “beep beep, that would be me.”
“What I Know for Sure…” No one will ever say, “Kandis was the nicest choreographer to work with.” Now here is why I have never, nor will I ever care…. (1) I don’t choreograph anymore, because it’s my talent, not my GIFT (2) Nice doesn’t move the needle forward (3) My end goal was sincere, enthusiastic applauds, and for my dancers to reach a new level, not rainbow and lollipop feelings.
Here’s another thing it took me years to accept and be fine with: Being liked is nice, but what I truly desire is to make an impact. People might not “like or have liked” me, (truth be told chances are I didn’t like them either), but they know and remember me. Rather I ignited inspiration or irritation, I sparked something inside of them and it either influenced them to move or gave them another excuse to be stagnant.
If you have an idea, a dream, a desire, but can’t seem to figure out how to start or where to go next. Holla at me, it would be my pleasure to help you design the steps to your success!
WHO AM I?
I’m Kandis Troutman Burney, MA. A mother, teacher, and spiritual seeker focused on purpose walking and serving others. I help aspiring, hustling, and routine entrepreneurs shift their mindsets from fear to faith, exchange confusion for clarity, so they can transform their passions into profit.
Thanks for reading my post. I try to publish new posts weekly, but I believe in leaving room for God, which means there are no guarantees. But check in often and let me know what content awakens your spirit and I’ll be more than happy to share my experiences.
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