Creating Margin for the Important Things
Today I am sharing some tips on how to fit those important things into your week. My friend, Melody, teaches piano over at Tune Bucket Piano Lessons. If you don’t follow her on Instagram, be sure to do that! And you can check out her website HERE.
Many of her students have trouble finding the time to practice and she asked me for tips on how to fit this in. The reality is that we can substitute practicing an instrument for many other things in life that we have trouble fitting in our busy schedules. Personally, as a wife, mother, employee, pastor’s wife, etc (fill in the blank with all the things we do) I have trouble fitting in the things that are for me. These are things that are important, but yet don’t feel as important as caring for others or doing all of the other things we need to do.
So how to we prioritize these things?
Recognize the importance. These things could include a long bath each week, a monthly pedicure, piano practice time, coffee with a friend, reading a fiction book, or any of a number of things. They may not seem important. But if God prioritized rest, we should too. Doing something for ourselves is restful and rejuvenating. Understand that it is important. If we are to pour out on a regular basis by serving those around us, we need to be pouring from a full cup.
Don’t fill up your day. Let’s say that you want to choose Tuesday as the day you practice piano. If you put so much on your to do list that it will be necessary for something to fall off the list, guess what will fall off? The thing you wanted to do for yourself. So make it a priority! And don’t make your to do list so full that you can’t get it done on a normal day. (I know life happens, but on a regular day, your list should be attainable.)
Create a goal and keep it in front of you. What is your goal? Do you want to master a certain technique or learn a certain song? Your goal might even be to just practice 30 minutes each week. Create a goal and put that in front of you. If you are someone who enjoys rewards, decide what you will reward yourself with at the end of a month or when you have met your goal. Set a reminder on your phone to help you remember when you need to practice. Put a sticky note on your mirror with your goal on it. Keep the goal in front of you.
Be accountable to a friend, teacher, or mentor. My husband and I are currently involved in monthly coaching sessions. They have been really helpful, but the most helpful thing has been the accountability. We will talk about goals and what we need to accomplish, but many times we might forget to do those things. However, just knowing that we have to look these people in the eye (via Zoom) and report back each month has made us go so much further than we would have on our own. Accountability is a powerful thing.
Joining a group like the Piano Players Coaching Group that Melody offers is a great way to find that accountability!Set yourself up for success! Make a plan! What will you practice on the piano? What bath bomb will you use for your soak? What book will you read for your quiet time? Don’t get to this part of your day and then not have a plan. When you make a plan you are much more likely to follow through.
Learning to play the piano, or polishing your piano skills might seem like an unimportant thing to some people. However, aren’t you thankful that the piano player at your church makes it a priority? What if they stopped practicing? Now we can see the importance. Recognize that whether you play every Sunday or are just learning, it is important! This is a talent you have been given and if we read the parable of the talents, we know that multiplying this skill makes the Lord happy!
I hope that you use these tips to find margin for the good things in your life!