Episode #195: Work Smarter - Right Now!

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Main Theme: Work Smarter - Right Now!

In this episode, we encourage you to complete some tasks in real time while listening. Each task will hopefully take 5 minutes or less and we give you some tips on how to think about completing those tasks in your own classroom. This episode is inspired by the Clear the Decks! episode from the Happier podcast.

Tasks to complete:
  1. Clean up your school related playlists.
  2. Jot down five ideas for future programs/performances/concerts. Check out MTCT episode #152 or #119 for some ideas.
  3. Answer a tricky email.
  4. Choose 1 desk drawer to de-clutter.
  5. Make a list of instrument repairs and find out how to start the repair process
  6. Add a fun activity to your calendar to look forward to (personal).
  7. Make a short list of PD you want to attend this Spring and Summer. Tanya's recommendation: Joan Litman: Shadows in the Moonlight: Songs of the Middle East, A virtual book study February 5, 19, 26, 2026 7-9pm EST.
  8. Return 10 misplaced objects (small percussion instruments, puppets, etc.) to their proper place.
  9. Clean off your desk, either physical desk or your computer desktop.
  10. Review any workshop/session notes from this school year and file them, either physically or digitally. Here is a spreadsheet template you might consider for indexing your notes.
Bonus: go to your podcast player and rate. Leave us a review if you can. Send this episode to three music teacher friends who you think could benefit!

Coda

Tanya recommends the book My Friends by Fredrik Backman
Carrie recommends the book The Woman in Suite 11 by Ruth Ware

 
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