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Book Review

The Laws of Human Nature
While reading this book, I was often stopped in my tracks by its profound and sometimes brutal truths, yet I ultimately found a great sense of peace and purpose as I worked through its pages. If you manage people, work with people or are a person, this book will help you.

The Independent Piano Teacher’s Studio Handbook

The Gap and The Gain: The High Achievers' Guide to Happiness, Confidence, and Success
I recently read The Gap and The Gain, by authors Dan Sullivan and Dr. Benjamin Hardy. In this book, they introduce a powerful mindset shift that can transform the way we measure success in any aspect of life. They argue that people tend to focus on the gap between where they are and their ideal. This comparison trap often leads to frustration and unhappiness. Instead, they advocate focusing on the gain, measuring how far one has come rather than how far there is to go. “Always measure backwards” is a principle that has profound implications for music educators, studio owners and performers alike. By shifting our perspective from what is lacking to what has been achieved, we can foster greater motivation, resilience and long-term success.

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.

Switch: How to Change Things When Change Is Hard

Profit First, by Mike Michalowicz
Many teachers who want to set out on their own worry about how they are going to make money. After rent, bills and supply expenses, there is not much left to pay yourself, let alone if you want to run a multi-teacher studio and must pay employees. What if you could reverse your system, and instead of paying yourself with whatever is left over, pay yourself first and make a profit? Profit First by Mike Michalowicz offers practical, well-planned steps and exercises to assist entrepreneurs in their quest for financial security.

Never Lose a Customer Again: Turn Any Sale Into Lifelong Loyalty in 100 Days

Mindset: The New Psychology of Success. How we can learn to fulfill our potential
Do we each have an innate way to process information and work on projects, or can we cultivate a new, more open way of thinking? Mindset: The New Psychology of Success is an updated version of the original best-selling book Mindset. Dweck offers ample valuable insight into her research, personal experiences, setbacks and victories, while reflecting on her own mindset and how the mindsets of others impacted her. She contrasts the “fixed mindset” with the “growth mindset” through the use of personal stories, research and contributions from well-known personalities and scientists. Dweck makes the case that we all have preconceived notions of what makes us or our students “talented” or “intelligent.” In this fascinating book, you will discover new ways to frame questions and accolades for yourself, colleagues and students. You’ll get fresh perspectives on how to motivate others to want to learn more and to discover the joys of accomplishments. Dweck debunks myths of inborn talent, entitlement and superiority that tend to cloud our judgements and our achievements. Ultimately, she offers us a way to use our mindset to thrive and persevere in our studios and professions.

How I Made $100,000 My First Year as a Piano Teacher and The Mindset of a $100,000 Piano Teacher
Kristin Yost has long been a trailblazer in the world of independent piano teaching, offering innovative strategies for teachers seeking not only financial success but also personal fulfillment in their careers.

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.

Entrepreneurial You