​Last week, I cautioned you against getting in your own way...

This week, we're talking ACTION.

Do you know how much money you need to meet your lifestyle expectations?
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​Seriously - do you know the actual dollar amount it would take to feel your needs were being met?

It's unlikely you ended up in this profession because of your great love for entrepreneurship, but we have to be honest about the fact that we are running a business.

And - business involves numbers.

I'm thinking about this today for two reasons:

First, I recently decided I would like to add something - a small luxury of sorts - to my budget line. I immediately started thinking about how I could generate that amount of additional income this coming year.

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This is what we do, right? It's piano teacher math.

(Tell me I'm not the only one who measures unexpected expenses by how many lessons I'll have to teach to cover the amount!😊)

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Well, I started thinking up income streams to fund this desired expense...

But - to my surprise - when I sat down with my projections for the upcoming school year, I realized I already have that surplus in my budget. I don't technically need to do anything more to justify this line item.

It's interesting, right? Mind you - it's not that we are rolling in dollars over here (far from it!), but the truth is, I can potentially get this thing I want, without adding new responsibilities to my life.

Honestly, it was kind of a mind-blowing moment.

THEN - (here's the second part) - I found myself working with a couple of new teacher consult clients who were dealing with extreme financial stress. Some of them have been feeling overwhelmed by money for years.

Yet, when I asked them how much money they needed to feel comfortable, they struggled to name an amount.

I've been doing this consulting gig long enough to know this is a VERY common situation. And yet - if it's not ACTUAL NUMBERS causing us financial panic - what is it, really?

I'll tell you what: it's the never-ending quest for MORE...the mindset of scarcity...the fear of feast or famine. We're doomed to be starving artists, right?

Why are we programmed with this default mindset of never having enough?
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Some of you are in positions where you legitimately NEED to earn more income. As I said last week, it's important to realize no one is going to make the tough calls for you.

On the other hand, some of us have simply always thought, "more has to be better". (I talked about that in One Thought Thursday 002).

Regardless of which camp you're in, consider this your push to DETERMINE YOUR NUMBERS.

I recommend two income goals:

(1) You must determine exactly how much income is required to meet your needs and feel satisfied in your life. Not just-scraping-by kind of income; but breathable, comfortable living.

(2) From there, consider the amount you need to live a more abundant version of your life. Not the sudden-windfall-of-one-million-dollars kind of abundance; but simply the life that would bring you the truest desires of your heart. The life that would feel rich to you.

THEN, your goal is to make sure Number One is covered, and then begin dreaming up ways to edge closer to Number Two (always considering the trade-offs, ensuring it's worth it).

Speaking from experience, these numbers are sometimes closer to your reach than you realize. And - even if they aren't - you'll never know until you name your terms.

Avoiding these numbers will leave you prone to forever chasing more students... more gigs... more part-time work....

...all for what?

There are 1,001 budgeting lessons we could chat about in connection with this conversation, but more than anything, I want you to make a date with your calculator (and, perhaps, a spreadsheet?) and determine those two levels of income.

May we all learn to discern which temporary discomforts are worth embracing, in search of more peaceful days ahead. 🥂

Soooo... I want to know: Do you know your "enough" numbers? If yes, HIT REPLY and - as a thank you - I'll tell you what small luxury I'm considering adding to my fall budget.

As always, thanks for reading! 👏

Other Ways I Can Help You:

One-to-One Teacher Consultations If you feel stuck in your teaching: whether it's a tuition/policy matter, or you don't know how to "up" your teaching game, let me know and we'll see if I can help! More details here

Support my work on Patreon Are you an artist who cares about supporting other artists? Do you find value in the work I put into the world? If your finances allow, I hope you'll consider a $3 or $6 contribution. Check Out Available Benefits

Can't-Live-Without Repertoire The Attention Grabbers series is SUCH a staple of the supplemental repertoire. In these collections, Diane Hidy inspires emotive and imaginative playing... while also giving unique consideration to visual distractions often overlooked by others. Get Yours Here

A Favorite Thing This trusty laptop stand has been my daily companion for three years and counting! I *rarely* sit while teaching, and I love how easy this makes it to keep track of my student assignments, etc. throughout lessons. Very important: it also gives me a place to keep my coffee and water (which - in my eyes - are essential components for a happy teaching day!) Find it on my Favorites List

On the Podcast The Summer Bookshelf Tour continued this week, with our eighth stop: Under Pressure, by Lisa Damour. Other Summer Bookshelf Tour recs are available on my Favorites page. Listen In for my Three Takeaways

Studio Foundations: 6-week session We'll be starting up a new 6-week session of the Studio Foundations Course in September. Register NOW to secure your spot! Check it out!

Piano Pedagogy for High Schoolers I'm considering running the online version of my 6-week pedagogy course this fall. If you have high school students who play at the intermediate level or above and are interested in piano teaching, please have them sign up at this link to receive more information. High School Pedagogy Course

Hit that REPLY Button and tell me when you've calculated your ENOUGH numbers. (Psst! Keep the numbers to yourself; I just want to know you've worked them out!)

Onward and upward toward healthier financial mindsets. 🥂

Want to check out PAST One Thought Thursdays? Find the Archives Here.​

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