"My teacher thought I was smarter than I was... so I was."

This is one of my all-time favorite sentiments, though I don't have anyone to attribute it to.
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​(It's often included in Internet folklore as one of those quotes from "6-year-olds who say the most brilliant things")

Spoiler alert: I don't believe those quotes actually come from children...but I digress...

This notion that the way we treat one another can actually change reality is compelling. And I've seen it happen so. many. times.

I've said it before, but truly: the moment a family joins my studio, they become some of my favorite people. My students are charming, capable, and bright. Their families work hard and do their best.

There was a time in my past where I just thought I attracted great families and that was the end of it.
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There is a bit of truth to the whole "like attracts like" thing, but really, friends... it has far less to do with who finds me, and a lot more to do with how I choose to see (and treat) my clientele.

When you treat people like they are your favorite, they often become just that.

When you treat students like they are capable, they generally live up to the expectation.

When you tell parents, "Wow. You are juggling so much. Thanks for making music a priority in your house."... well, they often will.

I've come to find out, a lot of the reason I have such incredible studio families is because that's the narrative that lives in my head.

At the same time, do I know who's a little tricky? Who's (exceptionally!) forgetful? Of course I do. But, I don't perseverate on that.

I'm sharing this today because it's so easy to do the opposite. People are our job, and people are...well, difficult.

Just remember: We all have moments where we say the wrong things, make poor choices, or forget something that matters... often at the expense of someone we care about.

Treat your clients like your favorite people. Tell your students they are good and kind. Take lots of deep breaths. 😉

Don't get me wrong; some conflict is inevitable. But believing the best is, hands-down, some of my favorite advice for studio teachers.
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🥂May we all paint a prettier picture of our studio families inside our own minds - and then - may we intentionally live those impressions out; speaking them into existence whenever possible. 🥂

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IT'S HERE, FRIENDS: The newest 6-week session of the Studio Foundations Course.

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If YOU are ready to invest in yourself and your teaching, I hope you will join the growing list of colleagues who have found renewed purpose and ideas in this course.

Other Ways I Can Help You:

Patreon Community If you'd like to support the work I do on the podcast for $3 or $6 (plus pick up some nice perks of membership!), consider joining our Patreon Community. Check Out Available Benefits

This Week on the Podcast ​Episode 141 is all about the balance of two simultaneous truths: (1) We have skills worthy of sharing (2) We have so much to learn Listen In

Can't-Live-Without Repertoire I had a student absolutely WOW me with this one earlier in the week, and I thought it might be helpful for those who are on the lookout for Fall-themed pieces. (Don't let the simple beginning fool you; it gets tricky!) Get Yours Here

A Favorite Thing I've said it before: I love my automatic three-hole punch (especially this time of year!). As a bonus, my STUDENTS love it, too. ​ Earning the chance to hole punch their own binder sheets has become a real incentive in my studio this year. ​ (It's the little things, right?) Find them on my Favorites List

One-to-One Teacher Consultations September appointments are booking up! If you have questions about tuition structures, policy writing/enforcement, repertoire, etc., check out this link. More details here

NEW (ish)! YouTube Channel I'll be releasing a teaching demo I think you will LOVE next week, so be sure to subscribe!

FREE Weekly Reflections Journal In this past Monday's webinar, I released a few new freebies: one of them being my revised (!) Weekly Reflection Journal. Do yourself a favor and print 5 today. Then, use this as a catch-all for every studio success story, to-do, etc. throughout the week. Once you complete 5, read through them, look for patterns, file them away, and print another 5. Get Yours Here!

NOW: Feel free to hit REPLY and tell me HOW YOU ARE FEELING about this start to the school year!

Onward and upward toward another year of important influence! 🥂

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