Time Management
Top 75+ Ways to Say No and the Value of Saying Yes
As teachers, we all know how hard it can be to say no. We often feel obligated to take on more than we can handle, leaving us feeling overwhelmed and stressed. Thankfully, there are ways to politely decline without sacrificing our own needs. But don’t worry, we don’t have to narrow it down to just five. I may have gotten a little carried away as I came up with 75+ ways to say no, while also remembering there is value in saying yes.
Five Time Management Tips
An article about time management should not take a lot of time to read. So here it is, short and simple: five strategies for time management. Or depending on how one numbers them, there are eight “ate” strategies.
The Zero-Energy List: Releasing Unnecessary Burdens of Teacher Life
Teachers are emotionally connected to their work in a deep way. After all, students are more than numbers on a spreadsheet; they are long-term investments involving untold hours of planning and care. Essential as it may be, it’s that very emotional connection that sometimes leads us down the wrong path.
The 80/20 Principle: The Secret to Achieving More with Less
I first encountered The 80/20 Principle: The Secret to Achieving More with Less by Richard Koch in a 2014 Clavier Companion interview with Randall Faber, co-author of Piano Adventures, where he recommended it as a top book for personal productivity. I took the recommendation to heart, considering the remarkable success the Fabers have had in building a piano method empire. I ordered the book right away, and over time, the 80/20 principle has become a key part of how I prioritize tasks and optimize processes. I often apply it to everything from planning a birthday party to running my music studio, helping me make the most of my limited time and allowing me to focus on what truly matters.
The Best Music Studio Management Applications for Music Teachers
For many teachers, gone are the days of keeping track of financial records in a written ledger. In addition to numerous online accounting programs (such as Quicken and QuickBooks) for record keeping, there are also programs designed specifically for music teachers that can assist with studio management (including student registration, auto invoicing, lesson booking and rescheduling, payment reminders, communication with parents/students and more). Here are four excellent programs worth considering:
The Best Music Studio Management Applications for Music Teachers
For many teachers, gone are the days of keeping track of financial records in a written ledger. In addition to numerous online accounting programs (such as Quicken and QuickBooks) for record keeping, there are also programs designed specifically for music teachers that can assist with studio management (including student registration, auto invoicing, lesson booking and rescheduling, payment reminders, communication with parents/students and more). Here are four excellent programs worth considering:
Streamlining for Balance
With an overabundance of resources on the Internet, it is easy to feel overwhelmed. Here are three valuable resources chosen specifically to assist you in your professional life.
Practical Insights for Balancing Fun, Organization and Wellness in Summer and Beyond
Original Broadcast: February 2, 2024 Telling our individual human stories is a powerful way to connect to one another. As musicians and teachers, we tell these stories when we are engaged with our students or an audience. Composers tell stories in their music, and the joy, surprise, tragedy and humour are woven into the text of harmony, rhythm and melody. These musical scores entrusted to us are the story scripts, and like actors, we must study, explore, and embody the story of the composer’s music. By embracing both our own stories and the stories of the music, we have a guiding purpose that links the artistic choices we make along the way. In this webinar, we will examine some of the remarkable stories in the music that we teach and perform, and explore different ways to highlight character, phrasing, timing, tone, touch and other elements of artistry to ensure that those stories are told with meaning and respect.
Organizational Hacks for Studio Owners
Original Broadcast: February 2, 2024 Telling our individual human stories is a powerful way to connect to one another. As musicians and teachers, we tell these stories when we are engaged with our students or an audience. Composers tell stories in their music, and the joy, surprise, tragedy and humour are woven into the text of harmony, rhythm and melody. These musical scores entrusted to us are the story scripts, and like actors, we must study, explore, and embody the story of the composer’s music. By embracing both our own stories and the stories of the music, we have a guiding purpose that links the artistic choices we make along the way. In this webinar, we will examine some of the remarkable stories in the music that we teach and perform, and explore different ways to highlight character, phrasing, timing, tone, touch and other elements of artistry to ensure that those stories are told with meaning and respect.
Is it Time to Hire an Assistant?
As music teachers and studio owners, we often wear many hats. We plan lessons, research new music, answer phone calls and emails, maintain our websites, do bookkeeping, keep up with social media, promote new programs, practice, attend conferences and workshops, plan recitals and more. Overwhelmed? Overscheduled?
Getting Things Done: The Art of Stress-Free Productivity
David Allen’s Getting Things Done is a must-read for modern business owners in any field, but especially creatives. The day-to-day planning and tasks of running a studio business can wear us out mentally, leaving little room for the creative side of our visions.
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