Working/Learning/Teaching from Home
Creating Ritual at Home
Flipping the psychological switch from home to work is the most important to compartmentalizing conflicts and being present at home and work. One of the most important parts of making this switch is the rituals:
Put on work clothes
Commute to a new environment
Work
Commute back home
It is the ritual of these events that helps us switch into work/learning mode. Some of the strategies and techniques I use for creating ritual in my daily home life are listed below. I hope they help you as much as they help me!
Dedicated workspace
Everyone’s home life is different, but if possible, have a dedicated workspace at home. Even if only the corner of a table is available, then tape it off and only use that area for that could be the best for creating the work “environment”. In a school of music, the practice rooms become a dedicated workspace for the diligent practicers. For you, this dedicated space can help “flip the switch” into work/learning mode.
For many folks (including me), a dedicated workspace is not available, so we have to find other methods of ritual in our everyday home life to help our mind distinguish between HOME and SCHOOL.
Work Clothes
It is sooooo easy to put on relaxing clothes when you are at home, or just skip the dress clothes altogether. I have been dressing up in my normal work attire (dress pants, fun dress socks, collared shirt) every day that I work. I wear these clothes until my last lesson or meeting concludes. The removal of these clothes and the changing back into more relaxed attire is a clear switch to my brain and body. This is highly recommended!
Nametag
If wearing work clothes isn’t enough for you, then a trigger could be putting on your name tag. I have a name tag that I normally reserve for audition days that I wear when I need the extra “boost”.
Light
I also use physical triggers to help me get into work mode. One of the easiest is a light. I have lights that I use for illuminating my face and my instruments (see a whole separate page on my Zoom Tips for Musicians), but I want a separate light that I turn on only when it is time to work. This helps me distinguish my working time from the time that I am doing my own personal work on the computer or practicing in my work space.
Getting your computer ready
Your computer screen is now your office, and keeping your office clean and making a quick and reliable switch is of paramount importance. I have started to automate my computer life much more than I ever did before (thanks to Andy Bliss and listening to Mac Power Users and Automators podcasts!). I ask the simple question: “Am I going to do this same action more than once?” If so, it should probably be automated. On Mac computers (what I use), there are a lot of options. Your operating system comes with the Automator app, and it can get a lot of actions done with improved accuracy and a shorter time than you could imagine. I’ve also enjoyed saving some time with Text Expander as well.
However, my most used app for getting ready to teach every day is Keyboard Maestro. With just a couple keystrokes, I am able to open the right apps, webpages and folders, move windows around the screen and be ready to teach in only about 10 seconds. This has saved me so much time and it is reliable and accurate. I know that if I tried to do all of this myself everyday I would lose hours every semester.
P.S. If you’re interested in learning more about Keyboard Maestro, there are so many great YouTube videos out there, but definitely check out David Sparks’ Keyboard Maestro Field Guide.
Check out the cued-up video below for a glimpse into my Keyboard Maestro life.
Morning Routine
One of the most important rituals I have for myself is a regular and productive morning routine. My morning routine consists of:
Waking up at the same time every day (even on weekends - gasp!)
Meditation
Physical Exercise
My meditation is usually short, but very beneficial. I like the Headspace app, but there are so many choices out there!
For physical exercise, I have been a runner for a while, but if I want to mix up my day, or it’s just too cold to get outside, I have enjoyed the versatility that the Centr app provides. I’ve used the recipes almost exclusively for a couple years now!
I can’t recommend enough regularly working on your instrument. For most of us, our instrument is the reason we got into music, and we don’t want to lose contact with that. I like shorter etudes and exercises that helps me maintain the breadth of skills I’ve developed over the years.
My routine (from waking-up to complete) takes about one hour, and by the time teaching begins, I feel physically and mentally prepared for a great day of teaching. I know it is really difficult to stay motivated and disciplined now - especially when the days get shorter - but the regularity and structure will help you be creative, flexible and present with your students and loved ones.
Contact Mike
Please give me a shout with any thoughts you might have. I’d love to hear from you!