Keys to Praise Piano

There’s been a lot of buzz around productivity this week. Four weeks into the new year and we all need a little jolt to get that momentum going again! Why? Because overwhelm. Because doubt. Because fear. Because comparison. ... This is what helps me climb out when I want to be productive: Set a timer (it makes getting stuff done feel like a game) Eliminate distractions (for me it’s putting my phone away). Keep work time work time (do not check the laundry during work time!) Whether you are inspired by a challenge (check out this week’s 5 Day Productivity Challenge, thank you @annesofiesoeby), or a podcast (thank you Christina @beyondmeasurepodcast), or a coaching session (thank you @michellelynnpianist) or an encouragement (thank you @amandavanderform) it’s time to get empowered again! It’s time to get productive! You can totally do this! PS - Accountability is the secret sauce to all of the above! (Thank you for bringing community together Stacey @inspiredpiano.ca) #wereallinthistogether What are you going to be productive about today! Let me know in the comments below! @inspiredpiano.ca @annesofiesoeby @michellelynnepianist @whitlockpianostudio @beyondmeasurepodcast @amandavanderform #keystopraise #pianolessons #pianoteachers #ownyourownbusiness #pianoteachersofinstagram #smallbusinessowner #smallbusiness #pianostudiobusiness #orangecountypianoteachers #orangecountypianolessons #anaheimhillspianolessons #pianolessonsforkids #orangecounty #musiclessonsforkids #pianostudent #anaheimhills #pianolessonsonline #ocpianolessons #onlinepianolessons #onlinepiano #pianoteachingcommunity #musicteachersofinstagram #musicteacherlife #pianoteacherlife #5dayproductivitychallenge

Or your middle to someone else’s end The process of learning is just that - a process. We don’t celebrate that enough.... Sadly, often we just see the sparkly endings of things - musical performances, well-established businesses, people getting everything right. Whether it’s the very beginning, or the so called #messymiddle, the benefits of sticking with the process are priceless Resilience Persistence Determination But instead of acknowledging the growth, we get lost in the comparisons We second guess our actions. We procrastinate. We feel overwhelmed. We give up. Whether you need it for yourself, or as a reminder for your students, what if today we just celebrated wherever we are in the process. Celebrate being brave enough to start something new and determined enough to see it through. No matter what anyone else is doing.

Many of us are looking for purpose, not a job. About 10 years ago I met the Hattouni family (the beautiful faces pictured above) when the girls, Jade and Bernadette, began taking piano lessons. At the time, I traveled to their home once a week to do the job of teaching the girls how to play the piano. ... I remember that during the lessons their little brother, Anthony, used to play with his cars and trucks on the landing of the steps leading upstairs, not far from the piano. His music instruction started with mere listening. When he was old enough, his first teacher was his sister. She even made him a binder and his own sticker sheet just like she had. She modeled what she was being taught. Weekly chats with their mom at the door as we were saying goodbye became a time of encouragement for both of us I think, as we shared our hopes and dreams for our kids. She also shared the most amazing baked goods! These three continued with their lessons, explored other instruments and collaborated with others. And one of them (Ms. Bernadette, pictured in the middle) would become one of the teachers in our studio. As the years went on, I began to realize that this job of mine was not about teaching piano it was about connecting with people, it was about the students and families, it was about helping them solve problems, it was about mentoring, It was about encouraging, it was about making a difference through relationships. What began as a job evolved into a purpose through connecting with people. Don’t underestimate the power in connection. It’s a basic human need that is anything but.

I can’t believe this changed my day. It seemed so simple. And yet it was so effective. I’d done the research, I had the tools, I’d worked (am working ) on my mindset (#workinprogress)... But...and maybe you can relate...I still didn’t take action ... Why? I didn’t have a PLAN. I thought I had a plan, but it wasn’t clear. And because it wasn’t clear, even when I thought I was working I continued to get distracted by life around melaundry, notifications, mindless snacking on chips & salsa Today’s super simple PLAN was to set a timer, put my phone away, and work on just one thing to move my business forward. The icing on the cake?I had someone to hold me accountable. Thank you @michellelynnepianist And you know what? It WORKED! It worked so well, that I can’t wait to do it again #momentumwinstheday What keeps you from making a move?

What if we gave ourselves permission? With the change of seasons, sometimes it’s hard to say goodbye to one and say hello to another (especially when your pumpkins are still in perfectly good shape!). Even though we may want to move on and hurry out of this year, navigating the holidays and making choices is still hard. ... But what if we gave ourselves permission to choose? To stop overthinking? To set realistic expectations? To delegate? To get the right things done for us, not all the millions of things we see everyone else doing? To choose to share something even if it’s not perfect? The pressure to make the perfect choice? Well that’s nearly impossible. But what if we gave ourselves permission to trust the process? To see that each choice leads to clarity, leads to direction, leads to growth. Working on this right along with you! Being present in each moment, enjoying the journey, and making those choices!

The best part of this video is the oops A few months ago when this sweet student started lessons she was so hard on herself when she made a mistake. I get it!! Aren’t we all?? But when she sent me this video for the #musicianimpossiblechallenge (play a song while doing squats!) and I watched her just fly by that oops and keep going, I was reminded of the valuable life lessons and mindset shifts that can take place while learning to play an instrument. ... Ashlyn, thank you for reminding us ALL that it’s ok to have an oops and keep going anyway!

Do you have big dreams? What are you waiting for? If I’m honest I can spit out a laundry list of a billion things I can’t do the thing because... it’s not ready, I’m not ready, I don’t have anything to share, who would want it anyway, maybe after I do these other urgent things then I will have time for the important things I don’t have a plan and my personal favorite - maybe I should do just a little more research! Ugh! Do you have a personal favorite that keeps you from doing what you desire to do? What happens next for me is a rabbit hole of procrastination and whatever the thing is stays in my head. And I stay inactive and oh so frustrated. What I’ve found recently is that it’s often my heart that needs a little nudge. I need to be reminded that doing something new may feel a little scary and that’s ok. That’s even normal. Then I think about how I would feel if I actually stopped waiting. I would feel fulfilled, excited, clear on the path ahead. All good stuff! Why would I wait to feel that?! Is there something you are waiting to do, to say, to share? What are you waiting for? Maybe we can encourage each other on! Often times it’s not hard, it’s just new. And taking one step in the right direction creates the momentum you need to stop waiting and take action. And as always, I write this because I need to hear this too. Every day.

I’ll try! Aren’t those the two most important words when learning something new?

Forever grateful to have these girls at my side. We are ~also~ grateful for a chance for our kids (and teachers) to be in the same room together at our last workshop

Sometimes a goal is just as much WHO you become as it is WHAT you accomplish. When this picture was taken at our Christmas recital in 2019, the year was ending. An exciting new year (2020 for goodness sake) was approaching and new goals were on the horizon. But who knew what was about to happen? ... We didn’t know that we wouldn’t be able to sit that close - sharing a bench, sharing keys. We didn’t know that we would be confined to our homes. We didn’t know that we would lose businesses. We didn’t know that we would lose loved ones. It goes without saying that this year held so many things that we didn’t expect. But something incredible happened. We didn’t expect that we would be resilient and learn to do things we never thought were possible (teaching successfully online, learning how to put stickers on IG stories ). We didn’t expect that we could connect with and be encouraged by people all over the world (#musicianimpossiblechallenge, #stuckinsidesurvivalguide thank you Stacey @inspiredpiano.ca ) We didn’t expect that we would (or could) begin to let go of the soul-deadening need to be perfect (#killingperfectionisminclassical thank you Michelle @michellelynnepianist @thefearlessartistmastermind We didn’t know that accomplishing a goal is just as much WHO you become as it is what you do. We became people who determine to figure stuff out, who show up, scary as it may be, who encourage one another, who have grace on themselves, who give themselves permission to rest, who ask for help, who seek clarity by taking action, who gain courage by being vulnerable, who are grateful. And by WE, I mean YOU! Before you think that those things aren’t true of you, stop it. While none of those things may have been original goals of 2020, I know you and I see you. You are becoming WHO you are meant to be, one unexpected turn after another. Happiest of New Years to YOU!

We have been through quite a year and yes, there were many times of darkness. We have seen illness, pain, anger, fear, injustice, and uncertainty in giant proportions. But we have also seen healing, new challenges accepted, forgiveness, hope, and peace. There have been moments of light. There are people filled with light. And wherever there is light, the darkness can be overcome. The light shines in the darkness and the darkness has not overcome it. John 1:5

A story from Christmas past. These two students, Lucas (on the left) and Kaden (on the right), had been playing the same piece leading up to the annual Christmas recital - a zippy version of Angels We Have Heard on High (Piano Safari arrangement) which has since become a fan favorite. Usually we spread out the pieces, ages, and levels of students between different recitals so as not to have too many duplicates of any one thing. Always trying to keep the recital moving right... along (and keep the audience attention - if you know you know! ). But collectively we had a thought that Lucas and Kaden could play the same song. TOGETHER. So instead of working separately on their own thing, they joined forces and worked together! It was kind of a last minute thing and they pulled it off. Collaboration in music and in life is the best! We need each other and together we can do anything! PS - Today, these 14-year-old young men are continuing to make music with others. Lucas plays piano in the orchestra at his school and Kaden plays piano in the worship band at his church. Two of the finest young men I have had the privilege to teach! I will be proud of them forever.

Success doesn’t happen by accident. The definition of success may be different depending on who you ask. The accomplishment of an aim or purpose. Working hard. Achieving a goal. Although there may be nuances to the definition, one thing that’s clear is success doesn’t happen by accident. It requires action. ... This month many of us are preparing for recitals or special ways to celebrate the holidays with music. As teachers, musicians, and parents of musicians we all desire success in playing and performing. If you have gotten to this point, you have hung on longer than most! Congrats. But what if success in life also means sharing something you have with someone who needs it? Why do we share music? It brings joy, peace, and encouragement. We could all use lots of that this year! So hang on and don’t let go. Don’t let your life happen by accident; take action. You have something beautiful to share and there’s someone out there who needs it!