Well, friends and colleagues we are in the throes of our fall season. We are preparing for our first concerts of the season, our rosters have settled from the influx of new members, and we are wondering how it is October and we have no time for ourselves. We are masters of list-making, calendar organization and rehearsal strategies. Now is the time to remind ourselves that a balanced life comes from a combination of factors. Over time it is vital that we hold our personal time in the same regard as our career and passion for making music.
It is easy to say this after many years of teaching and living the workaholic existence. There is a delicate balance for longevity in this career that includes scheduling time for your family, friends and your own sense of well-being. I am fortunate to work at a university where we are developing a well-being center for faculty and students as an integral part of our strategic plan. With this as a goal the reminders are ever-present in email and in seminars offered on campus. Perhaps many of you are reading this and thinking – how can I achieve this when I am the sole music director in my church or the only middle school choir teacher in my district?
A recipe for balance includes a combination of elements including personal time for exercise, sleep, spiritual practice, eating well and love/friendship. I have often found my best teaching days have followed a day where I managed to work out, have a good meal and have also taken the time for opportunities to laugh and experience joy. I often challenge my undergraduate music education students to name two hobbies that they enjoy that are not music related. Some can name them without hesitation while others claim that music is their only hobby.
I challenge you to consider ways to improve your life balance and hope you find joy in something you do today. Take the time to walk, join a yoga class, or plan a meal and a movie with the ones you love! Few people outside our field understand the depths to which we plan, process and execute our daily routine. I encourage you to use that same level of detail when deciding how you will integrate one aspect of personal self-balance in to your routine. Make it a priority, even if it is for one day a week at first. Schedule time for yourself where you can make your well-being the focus for the moment. The key to success is in small steps, one hobby, comedy film or walk can work wonders for your life balance and longevity.
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