How you perform is one part of being a good dancer. What you say to yourself during the process is just as important. Those internal thoughts and conversations can not only impact your level of confidence, but also the quality of your performances, whether you're practicing or on the stage. And unfortunately, casting out negative thoughts and emotions can be like fighting an uphill battle.

In fact, it's human nature to focus on the negative experiences -- and not as much on the positive ones. What's a dancer to do? With some tips and a little practice, you can avoid negativity and train your mind to think better thoughts. Here's how:

Tip #1: Replace the negative with the positive.

It's easier said than done, but replacing your negative thinking with positive thoughts is the best way to change your mindset. But you're not a robot or computer, and can't just delete thoughts from your mind like you delete emails and texts from your inbox. So how do you go about doing this?

When you're starting to think badly about yourself -- whether it's your appearance or your performance -- immediately conjure up something positive instead. You might not believe what you're saying to yourself at first. However, with practice and persistence, you'll notice something wonderful happen: those positive thoughts will start to take root, eventually growing and flourishing.

Tip #2: Make a list.

We all have an internal dialogue. This is the conversation that takes place in our heads. So think about what negative thoughts commonly invade this dialogue. Is it that you'll never master a certain step? Are you constantly getting down on yourself for making mistakes? Or do you feel inadequate or unrefined compared to other dancers? Whatever you're thinking, write it down -- then writing something positive, that's the total opposite. For instance:

Your usual thought: I'll never get that step right. It's too hard.Your new positive thought: I'm a great dancer and a hard worker. It will come together if I just keep practicing.

Your usual thought: Other dancers learn routines so much faster.Your new positive thought: I'm thankful that I'm surrounded by excellent dancers I can learn from.

Your usual thought: I'm too big to be graceful or a good dancer.Your new positive thought: My body is strong and beautiful, and made for movement.

So start thinking about those specific thoughts that are constantly spinning around in your head, sabotaging your efforts and your energy. Then identify the positive thoughts that you can use to replace them.

Tip #3: Stop the comparisons.

One of the biggest culprits behind negativity is comparing yourself to other dancers. Whether it's their dance skills or body type, you're constantly assessing those around you and focusing on where you fall short. Stop that! When you do this, you're simply setting yourself up for failure. Why? Because often times when we look at others, we tend to see the best in them -- and the worst in ourselves. So it's not a fair comparison. In fact, it's a recipe for jealousy and low-self esteem, which is why you need to focus on your dance journey...and your's alone.

Tip #4: Focus on progress.

Are you getting down on yourself for not being at a certain level? Are you frustrated with your mistakes and feel like giving up? Then start focusing on your progress. In other words: think about where you were a year ago versus today. You've probably grown by leaps and bounds as a dancer. It's just hard to notice when you're living it each day. But when you stop and take a look back, it's easy to see how much progress you've made and are continuing to make. This will give you some perspective on the situation and also help you to appreciate the fruit of all your hard work.

Tip #5: Adopt an attitude of gratitude.

When you're struggling -- whether it's in class or on stage -- it can be easy to maintain a negative mindset. One way to combat this is to focus on what you're grateful for. You can even take this process a step further and write down the top 10 things in your life you're most grateful for -- dance-related or not. Not only does gratitude boost your mood and make you feel more positive, but it can also impact your physical health, as well.

Tip #6: Set new goals.

Setting different goals for your dancing is another way to shift your focus from the negative. When you do, just make sure you define realistic goals. If you have one major goal in mind, you're better off breaking it up into smaller, bite-size goals. That way, you have a stronger chance of achieving what you set out to do -- which will keep you more motivated going forward.

Tip #7: Refresh your look with new dance pants, character shoes and more.

If you're getting down on yourself due to your physical appearance, take heart. It's a common theme for many dancers. While you can't change your height or body type, you can take back some control by changing up your look. Whether it's with new character shoes or some flashy dance pants, you'd be surprised at how little it takes to feel like a new person...inside and out.

Ready to go shopping? Check out the latest dancewear, including dance pants and character shoes, at Just for Kix. Our exclusive brands are known for comfort, style -- and making dancers look and feel great.