Getting It Together - Part I

I started this blog post months ago…then life got in the way.  Today, as I sat down to finish, I realized it was WAY too long, so it’s another multi-part series.  This post is for everyone - not just music types.

I have spent the latter part of my career hearing things like, "Well, you're a morning person..." and "Well, you don't have kids at home...that's why you're so organized..."  Ummm...no, and NO.  You see, despite all outward appearances, there is nothing I would like more than to become a professional lounger and sleeper.  I love sleep.  To quote Rita Rudner, "I love sleep...one time I dreamt I had insomnia...I woke up and though 'Now I can get some sleep..."

I haven't always been the master of disguises (most recently the "gee you're so organized and a morning person" disguise).  I am ashamed to admit, that I was one of those teachers racing to get the last parking spot.  I was one of "those teachers" who, if we had to be there at 8:00, it was a GOOD day if I arrived in the building at 7:59 and 45 seconds.  No, I most certainly was NOT (and still am NOT) a "morning person."  I love the night.  I do my best thinking and have the most fun in the wee hours, but...as I got on in age and in my career, I started to realize, "Uh...this ain't workin'."

So...if you're one of those people who wishes they could get themselves together, a chronic procrastinator, or one who seems to always be chasing their own tail, this post is for YOU!

Do it NOW

Here's the thing...as teachers (or basically, as American human beings) we get hundreds of things flung at us on a weekly basis.  Deadlines, bills to pay, forms to fill out, yards, cars, and homes to care for, ailing relatives...there is ALWAYS something to do.  Enter "The Deadline Dilemma."  When busy people are handed something to do, there are two responses:  1)  Oh good, it's not due until next Thursday, I'll set it aside for later...and 2) Let me do that for you immediately, while I'm thinking about it.  Here's the thing:  the latter of those two is not doing that to try to be a people pleaser.  As I've amassed some years and (hopefully) some wisdom, one thing is for sure - there will forever be something in that "to do" pile.  If you put it off because it's due later that's fine; but what I have discovered in my half century on the planet is that pile never shrinks.  It grows.  And sometimes it grows exponentially.  So, while you might be slightly pressed for time at the moment, take the extra time to GET IT DONE NOW.  Do you really want to set it aside, then get another task to complete, another, and then another, and then (this always happens) the "I need this TODAY!" request?  Then what?  You allowed all those things to pile up, you need to get them all finished at approximately the same time, and now you have the "I need this NOW" person breathing down you neck.  Now what happens?  You get stressed.  You get angry.  The stress makes you tired.  You take it out on others...it's quite the vicious cycle.  Additionally, unless you have a good system, you run the risk of forgetting a deadline altogether.  Do I feel like composing that email for a teacher who has a tech support problem at 4:30 while I'm STILL at school and dog tired?  No, I don't.  But I know if I DON'T do it right then, I'll be even angrier and more stressed later when I'm busy and possibly forget I had that to do.  Which takes me to the next part...

Never Underestimate the Power of the "Front-end Investment"

As teachers or even other professionals, there are things that come our way without fail each and every school year.  We know we will have to put on that Veteran's Day concert or we know our lesson plans will be due each Thursday.  Years ago my school district adopted an online lesson planning program.  It was quite elaborate and it seemed that all sections of it were "mandatory."  The beauty of this program is that I knew it would archive any lesson I created - FOREVER (until I deleted it).  Knowing this, I took a good look at my monthly planning grid.  I keep mine visible at all times by my desk in my classroom.  It's a simple grid that shows major concepts I want to cover in each grade level by each month.  That first year we implemented the lesson planning program, I was maniacal about my lesson plans.  Why?  Not because I loved pouring over what level of Bloom's Taxonomy the lesson would be addressing or how much I adored the state standards.  NO!  I did it because I know that in the following years, it would be quite simple to pull out the archived plan, give it the once-over, and be DONE.  My lesson plans are very elaborate and it would appear that I spend hours and hours each week preparing such wonderful pieces of literature.  The maximum time I spend using this system now?  Maybe 30 minutes but often less - and that's creating plans for seven different grade levels.

Also as a music teacher, spend time going over new music.  You don't have to use EVERY song or game or activity RIGHT NOW.  Look over the things you have, order new things, search the Internet.  Make notes somewhere or, if you want to get really meticulous about it, create a spread sheet.  Here's where that kind of thing really comes in handy.  Two months ago we were in the middle of benchmark testing.  This meant most of my classes were cancelled for that week.  I was turning in some of my student tests when the principal said to me, "They are coming from the TV station to film something for School Board Appreciation Month and I thought you could put something together with singing..." 

My response, "Sure.  When are they coming?" 
Principal:  "Monday morning at 9:30."

Now...bear in mind this was THURSDAY AFTERNOON when I had this dropped on me.  Yes, I had the rest of the day Thursday and all day Friday (when I could fit it in, I still had classes to teach!) to prepare a performance FOR TELEVISION with small children (the older kids were testing).  I did not panic.  I knew the perfect piece and I quickly mentally choreographed what it would look like, then I selected two classes that I thought could pull it off.  This takes me to another important factor to bear in mind as a music person...but that will have to wait until next week's installment.

Until next time...