A mindset shift. Such a simple solution … that at the same time can seem so frustrating at the moment. Especially when it’s been one of those weeks. Right? And yet, there are some easy steps we can take to make this possible.
Continue reading “A Powerful Mindset Shift When It’s Been One of Those Weeks”Avoiding Overwhelm By Focusing On The Wonderful Joy Of Teaching
As teachers & studio owners, avoiding overwhelm is about finding the joy of teaching each day. We want to create the best experience for our students & their families. But, there are times when that backfires. Especially during times of change. Instead of fun & joy, our days are filled with a series of tasks that “have” to get done. Our minds are filled with judgement or worry that we aren’t living up to what others are offering in their studios.
Continue reading “Avoiding Overwhelm By Focusing On The Wonderful Joy Of Teaching”Settling Into a Routine … Again
This is a time of year that many of us have made New Year’s Resolutions & are struggling to keep up with them. The yoga (or gym) classes tend to shrink in size as people find life too busy to keep up the habit. I know this because I have been that person in the past more times than I care to admit. But, settling into a routine doesn’t have to be like this.
Continue reading “Settling Into a Routine … Again”Do I Have To Be a “New Me” This Year?
“New year. New you.” Oftentimes, we start with great intentions to be more creative or more organized or have more balance. And, we put pressure on ourselves to sacrifice over the long-term for professional & personal growth. But, what if it doesn’t have to be this way?
Continue reading “Do I Have To Be a “New Me” This Year?”8 Easy Ways to Create Work-Life Balance
Does it sometimes feel like work-life balance is more work-work balance at this time of year? Rather than being burnt out by the end of the holidays, use these 8 easy ways to include self-care habits into your day.
Continue reading “8 Easy Ways to Create Work-Life Balance”How to Take a Vacation When You’re a Teacher
Let’s face it. We all love a good break. But, do we really know how to take a vacation? Or, inevitably do we end up in the office/studio/couch getting work done instead of taking a real break?
Continue reading “How to Take a Vacation When You’re a Teacher”It’s the most wonderful time of the year … except when it isn’t
Years ago, I was a junior high teacher at a special needs school. Â It came with lots of joy when a student would have a breakthrough behaviourally, developmentally, or academically. Â But, it also came with its challenges. Specifically, anxiety & frustration amongst some of my students.
Most students eagerly await winter break & the change in routine. However, for many special needs students this can be a time of stress. Â At the school, we always knew that December & June were going to be tough months for both students & teachers. Â For students, the upcoming change in routine tended to lead to anxiety, more frustration with routine tasks, & a big focus on what the new routine over the holidays would be. Â For teachers, it required a lot more patience & an eagle eye as we did our best to keep things from escalating.
Continue reading “It’s the most wonderful time of the year … except when it isn’t”5 Tips to Avoid Burnout Before the Holidays
As we head into December, & all the extra activities that tend to crop up, it can be hard to avoid burnout. This is a time of year when our studio families might say no to participating in “extras” in the studio & our students don’t practice as much as they typically would.
Rather than overload ourselves, let’s give ourselves, our studio parents & students some grace.
Continue reading “5 Tips to Avoid Burnout Before the Holidays”Are Christmas Studio Activities Worth It?
This is the time of year when families are typically overscheduled, tired & counting down the days to vacation. Many studios, including mine, have at least one event before the break. This is despite the fact that we may feel much like our studio families. So, are Christmas studio activities worth it?
I’m going to say, “Yes!” but with a caveat. Let’s use a Goldilocks approach to our Christmas studio activities.
P.S. When I say “Christmas” studio activities, feel free to substitute “Winter” or “Summer” studio activities (depending on which hemisphere you live in).
Continue reading “Are Christmas Studio Activities Worth It?”5 Tips to Celebrate Incremental Growth With Students in the Music Studio!
We are getting into the third month of a new school year & it’s feeling … well, not so new anymore. Routines are set (or not set depending on your point of view). The weather may be changing, but unfortunately, it also tends to lead to dropping many of those awesome routines we have set in place back in September. There doesn’t seem to have been enough time to see incremental growth.
Then, I listened to a podcast that got me thinking … how can I help my students (& myself) stay motivated during a time of year that lends itself more to snuggling on the couch with a cup of tea & a good book, rather than sticking with our routines & goals?
Continue reading “5 Tips to Celebrate Incremental Growth With Students in the Music Studio!”