Keep Steppin’

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Theresa Cizmar was ready for center stage when she was chosen as a Washington Wizdom dancer. After all, dancing was in her blood, from high school to the Wolf Trap Repertory. She even thought others might be motivated watching the Washington Wizards senior dance team challenge perceptions about aging. But she never bargained for her backstory hitting the spotlight.

You see, Cizmar’s participation is kind of a miracle. Four surgeries for advanced breast cancer and 18 months of treatment took a heavy toll. After being unable to stand up straight for eight months, she pushed through until she hit on bike riding as her new exercise. Ultimately, she built up the stamina necessary to return to an active life.

During treatment, her mental fitness was just as important as physical strength. She intentionally sought out other success stories. She remembers, “I gravitated toward anybody who said, “I’m a five-year survivor. I survived what you have.’ [or] ‘I’m ten years out.’ The farther out it was, the more hope it gave me.”

Theresa has now been healthy for 16 years. She observed, “Some of the dance steps are a challenge, but I don’t talk about it—I just want to be there. . . Who knew that I was supposed to get through cancer? Me!! Just keep steppin’!”

Don’t Prepare for Defeat—Be Resilient

Are you facing what seems to be an insurmountable obstacle like Theresa did? Follow her lead. Don’t prepare for defeat. Be resilient—part of the soft skill of adaptability—and keep steppin’. Here’s how:

• Make it fast by taking 30 seconds to affirm, “I am committed to overcoming obstacles. I’m resilient!”
• Make it deep by taking 30 minutes to reflect on a major problem you faced. What did it show you about your mental toughness?
• Make it real by tackling a difficult situation head-on.

Use Soft Skills to Raise Your Game

We’ve learned in the June series, Raise Your Game, that you can turn what seemed to be a soft spot into a strength. When self-doubt and ugly surprises happen, remember the four ways to use soft skills to raise your game:

1. When doubts like, “I’ll never be perfect,” or “Why try?” arise, turn to your creativity and start experimenting. Overcome fears with way #1, Less Doubting, More Doing.
2. Avoid snap judgments and use discernment to challenge old ideas. Use way #2, Give Binary Thinking the Boot.
3. Let go of the thought, Someone needs to do this for me. Rely on healthy self-esteem and speak up for yourself using your integrity and personal style with way #3, Be Your Best Advocate.
4. The next time you feel stuck, put your shoulder against an obstacle. Demonstrate resilience with way #4, Keep Steppin’.

Don’t allow your worst fears or supposed limitations to become the boss of you. You’re not finished yet—just raise your game.