Setting Feis Goals Without Obsessing Over Results

If you’re an Irish dancer, chances are you’ve set a Feis goal before.

“Top 3.”
“Recall.”
“Win.”
“Qualify.”

And let me be clear - there is NOTHING wrong with wanting those things. Ambition is powerful. Goals give direction. Dreams give us fuel ✨

But here’s where it gets tricky…

When your entire sense of progress, confidence, and self-worth hangs on one number read out on stage.

That’s when goals stop helping and start hurting.

So how do you set Feis goals without becoming obsessed with the result?

Let’s break it down.

1️⃣ First: Understand What You Can and Cannot Control

You cannot control:

• The judging panel
  
  
• Who else enters
  
  
• The size of your competition
  
  
• Who you dance with
  
  
• How someone else performs
  
  

You CAN control:

• How you train
  
  
• Your consistency
  
  
• Your corrections
  
  
• Your effort in class
  
  
• Your recovery
  
  
• Your mindset
  
  
• How you respond afterwards
  
  

Results are influenced by many external factors. Performance is influenced by YOU.

If your goals are only result-based, you’re putting your happiness in someone else’s hands and that’s exhausting.

2️⃣ Shift From Outcome Goals → Performance Goals

Outcome goal:
“I want to win.”

Performance goal:
“I want to hold my turnout for the full dance.”
“I want to commit to every full.”
“I want to keep my chest lifted when I click.”
“I want to finish strong..”

See the difference?

Outcome goals depend on others. Performance goals depend on you.

And here’s the magic…

When you gather enough performance wins together, outcomes often follow 🙌

3️⃣ Use the What, Why, How Framework

This is where dancers grow up in their training.

Instead of saying:
“I just need to be better.”

Ask:

What exactly needs improving?
(Be specific. Turnout? Toe height? Stamina? Confidence on stage?)

Why does it matter?
(Why will improving that correction affect your overall performance and marks?)

How will you train it consistently?
(What exercises? How many times per week? For how long?)

This takes you out of emotional reaction mode…and into athlete mode.

That’s where real progress lives.

4️⃣ Set a “Success Definition” That Isn’t Just Placement

Before your next Feis, answer this:

“If I walk off stage and I’ve done X, I will be proud — regardless of result.”

That might be:

• I performed instead of held back.
  
  
• I fixed my crossover.
  
  
• I danced with energy until the final beat.
  
  
• I didn’t let one wobble derail me.
  
  
• I stayed calm backstage.
  
  

This changes everything.

Because now you’ve given yourself multiple ways to win, and that protects your confidence long-term ❤️

5️⃣ Remember: A Feis Is Feedback, Not a Final Answer

One result does not define:

• Your talent
  
  
• Your potential
  
  
• Your future
  
  
• Your work ethic
  
  
• Your value
  
  

A Feis is data. That’s it.

If you treat it like a judgement on who you are, you’ll ride an emotional rollercoaster all season.

If you treat it like feedback, you’ll improve faster than most.

The dancers who go furthest in this sport are not always the most naturally talented.

They’re the ones who:

• Learn.
  
  
• Adjust.
  
  
• Stay consistent.
  
  
• Keep perspective.
  
  

6️⃣ Parents…This Part Is For You

If your dancer is setting goals, help them widen the lens.

Instead of asking:
“What did you place?”

Try:
“What did you feel good about?”
“What improved?”
“What did you learn?”
“What are we focusing on next?”

Children copy what we emphasise.

If the only celebration is placement, that’s what they’ll obsess over.

If effort, growth and bravery are celebrated…that becomes their identity.

The Truth About Big Dreams

You can absolutely dream of Worlds.
You can absolutely aim for the podium.
You can absolutely want that win.

But the healthiest dancers:

Dream big.
Train specifically.
Detach emotionally from the number.

Ambition + emotional stability = longevity.

And longevity is what creates champions.

Your Next Step

Before your next Feis, write down:

• 1 outcome goal (it’s okay to have one!)
  
  
• 3 performance goals
  
  
• 1 mindset goal
  
  
• Your personal definition of success for that day
  
  

Then commit to judging yourself based on that. Because your career is bigger than one Saturday. And your growth matters more than one number.

Always ❤️