Simpedia

Ruth P., North Carolina

I teach a lot of retired folks (and love it!) who can come during the day. I can’t tell you how I’ve enjoyed transitioning from primarily children to teaching adults. Both are wonderful – but at my age, I’m enjoying the companionship and joy of working with older folks.

If you can afford to – try to take a week off to re-evaluate and recharge.

Senya B., California

I only teach before 2. I asked my son what he thought, and he said teach preschool age. I did that and it opened doors!

Joy O., Alabama

It sounds like you could use a break and a rest, and then evaluate what you can change (some things are out of your control, but not everything). I have some students who are the same way, never tick off the list, coach correcting them at the lesson for not practicing at home. Here are some ideas: Listen to “Claiming Territory” audio file again, several times, and write down some specific things you plan to do and say with those students. If it is at all possible, hire someone to do a one-time clean up of your house (so you start fresh). Choose a day of the week that you don’t/won’t teach, and guard that evening with your family. Change some lesson times if necessary to get that time slot.

Kurt M., Michigan

I try to remind myself that I can always find more students. There is a balance between claiming territory and blowing people out, but if that is the end result you may sometimes be better off. Regardless of whether students are practicing or whether parents are supportive of my efforts, I try to remind myself that I am teaching for my enjoyment and it is not worth doing if it isn’t fun for me.

Little rewards along the way are a great motivator for me. Every week after I teach my last student I declare the weekend and enjoy a special beverage, or a nice treat even though I have to work my other job the next day so the week isn’t really over. Also I try to bring something new into each lesson to help engage my students’ interest. The big picture for me is that I am running my business to engage my own interests, and I am working with students that help me get that done while I provide a valuable service to them. If that isn’t the case, I don’t have a win-win situation, and it is time to change something.

If you want to be closed for dinner that is yours to decide. I don’t know if this is an option for you, but I teach out of my house as well, and I have things laid out so my students enter through a door that is separated from the rest of the house. There is also a bathroom in that area. My wife is pleased as the rest of the house is off limits so she doesn’t have to keep it perfect, or socialize with my clients if she doesn’t want to. Maybe you can’t do what I do, but maybe you can pick a better place to teach.

Shyrl K., Washington

First off, know you are not alone! In addition to the suggestions mentioned, I have a couple thoughts: I recently implemented using popsicle sticks and writing their playlist songs on them – 3 or 4 for those needing more practice, 1 or 2 for those they know well. They divide the total number of sticks by the number of days they are committing to practice, and that’s how many they do per day. It’s a fun craft idea you can do with them, and some kids respond really well to it. The rule is they get through all their sticks before they have the next lesson!

You may also consider a “day off” during the week – just for you – no students. Mine is Friday. Or possibly moving some students to early Saturday so you can have more evenings off. I too struggle with getting dinners for the family and not having them late. Sometimes I schedule a dinner break and teach a little later. The biggest thing that helps me when I do it is prepping ahead on the weekend. Plan the menu, try to make two night dinners, use a crock pot, prepare during the day and pop in the oven while teaching, etc.

Most of all, be good to yourself! In order to be the best version of yourself possible, you have to take care of yourself first (easier said than done, for sure). But it makes all the difference. For me, when I don’t spend quiet time in prayer and write in my journal, I am soon a mess! We all need time alone to process and reflect.

Liisa T., Chile

When I first started teaching SM, I kind of “fudged” on the claiming territory issue. I think many of us do. There are great materials in the forum, etc. Re-read them and take them LITERALLY. That’s the key. And like the others said, you can find new students if the parents and kids aren’t on board for holding up their end of the 3-legged stool.

Laurie Richards, Nebraska

I know everyone can relate on some level to your frustrations. Please know that you can completely avoid all of this frustration by claiming your territory back.

One of the best things to come out of all my years of teaching SM is personal growth in this area. I was very wishy-washy in the beginning. I have listened to Neil’s conversations on Claiming Territory and Request Vs. Requirement many times and just started trying one new thing at a time in the way I communicated. After experiencing the amazing difference it made in my students, their parents, my retention rate, and my own peace of mind, I can tell you it is transforming for everyone if you are willing to step outside your comfort zone.

Also the manner in which you communicate is critical. If you simply state your requirements and expectations matter-of-factly, with no hint of ‘apology’ for having those requirements, people will respect you and your boundaries. You have to stand your ground. To be 100% honest, this absolutely is all about us as teachers, not about the students or parents.

Last week’s teacher webinar with Neil was about Request ad distinct from Requirement – watch in the coming weeks for the video to become available. So much great content there. I wish you all the very best success in learning to communicate to your studio families lovingly yet firmly, and standing up for what you have to offer.

Rochelle G., California

One of the things I did last year that helped me on the home front was to pay someone to put some freezer meals together for me that I can throw in the oven or in the crock pot. I’ve also hired semi-regular house cleaning help. I would rather pay someone else to do the things that anyone can do, because there are things that only I can do that I can’t even pay somebody else to do.

Stephen R., California

Sounds like some changes are in order. Remember even valleys are temporary and piano will be fun again.

Have you thought about renting out space at another location other than your home? There probably will be overhead, but then you can have a more professional space without people using your bathroom. Try to prepare meals on Sundays if you can for the week.

Know that you’ll be climbing a peak soon. Remember that you “control” the lesson time as a teacher! That’s really the only time we can control, so fully utilize that “to hear” list. Help students with variations/arrangements, but for forgotten Foundation pieces they need to re-watch the video. Have the parents on board with making that happen.

Joanne D., Australia

As time is going by, I am becoming more firm from the beginning about what is required, and I tell the students/parents if they can’t practice and tick the playlists at least 4 days a week I cannot teach them. I did discontinue a student earlier this year for this reason, and I let current students know this can happen if they don’t do what is required.

Sometimes there can be a bigger plan to why these students are sent to you. I do think that you need to claim territory for sure, but perhaps you could ask your students also why are they coming to piano lessons?

Kurt M., Michigan

Sometimes we are providing something that isn’t coming from school or home and that is enough to keep going with a student. I have some young students who are not the slickest on piano, but are gaining confidence and coordination. The longer I teach, the more I learn to work with people in the gray areas of flexibility rather than being linear and strict. Enjoyment is one of the more important aspects of my teaching for both my students and me.

Karen D., Australia

This year, I committed to teaching only on Wednesday and Thursday, with potential time slots from 9 am to 9 pm. Now I have the size of studio I initially wanted and I love all my students. Not all of them are good at keeping their playlists alive, but we are working on it together and I’m able to have those important conversations with them. I really do not schedule piano things outside of my studio hours unless absolutely necessary.

I also have always taught the entire summer except when I was away, but I’ve found that students have good intentions and don’t necessarily follow through, so mu summer teaching schedule has generally been sparse. This summer, I polled all my students on when they’d be away, and I am taking four of the nine weeks in July and August completely off.

Heidi M., Canada

I intentionally take off 2 evenings a week (for me it’s Saturday and Sunday) where I never teach, but spend leisure time with friends that I normally cannot see during weekday evenings. Also having one day off per week really helps.

Regarding the messy house concern, I have observed and concluded that my students do not care if there is a bit of mess in the room next to the studio. What they really care about is first, how I treat and accept them, and of course how well I help them progress and learn as musicians and how much they are having fun in the process. So I am not so hard on myself about the mess in my kitchen.

I intentionally plan some activity for myself during the day that I really enjoy so that I internally find it easier to accept the idea of working in the evening. If I am not intentional about having me-time, then all the other demands of life end up taking all the time.

Leeanne I., Australia

I would send an email to all your students about coming to class sick. I sent an email to all my students that if they turn up sick, I will send them straight home. Do you state all your requirements in your studio policies, and do you have consequences for not marking off the playlist or not practicing? Maybe start a list of what you want to change in your studio for next year. Online teaching during the day, finishing your day earlier, a couple of Saturday classes?