I've always been a big planner--to a fault. I'm really and truly trying to get better about this, but I tend to become upset when plans change at the last minute, or I'm unable to actually make a solid plan due to things outside of my control. But let me tell you--the Army is really helping me to work on this particular trait of mine. I find myself letting go a little bit more every day.
There are some areas, though, where I think my innate drive to plan and prepare comes in handy. For years, I've known that part of my future as a pianist would include private teaching in my home, and someday I really hope to have an established studio, with ten or fifteen (perhaps more) strong students. I've always been so thankful for the glorious, built-in side effect of this business--I will be working from home. On my own piano, in my own space, a room or two away from my family. A dream for this future mother who has never wanted anything but to stay home and raise her children.
Now, you may think this is silly but it only just recently occurred to me (and really set in) that most of my teaching will be happening in the afternoons and early evenings. I suppose for years, I was mostly focused on the fact that I have this skill and this trade that will allow me to stay home with my children and continue to do my work as a musician, and I didn't think too hard about the details. But what I'm realizing is that my lessons will have to revolve around the school-day hours and the work-day hours (because I teach adults too). This has made me think about how things will work when we have children--when they are small, I think it may actually be easier because I can schedule my lessons during the evenings when my husband is home to watch them. It's as they get older and begin to go to school themselves that it becomes more tricky. If they're at school all day, and I'm teaching after-school lessons, that cuts into my time to be with my children when they're home. And what about dinner? There will certainly be some balancing to do. I suppose one solution is to choose just a few days a week to teach during the afternoons, or I could stick to teaching half-day kindergarteners and homeschoolers? (Only kidding! A piano teacher can't be so choosy!)
One thing I do know is that the planning gene I mentioned above, that will be useful. I'm already beginning to put it into effect, pre-children and pre-established studio. I currently teach two afternoon/evenings a week and I've gotten quite creative with preparing parts of dinner in advance, so that it comes together quickly and easily when I'm done with my lessons. The other day I made shredded chicken thighs following this recipe in the early afternoon, then popped them into the fridge. It was so easy to take the shredded chicken out later, give them a quick microwave and put them on tortillas topped with shredded red cabbage, jalapeno and banana peppers, sour cream, and tomatoes. Fresh, healthy, easy tacos, and totally stress-free.
I fully trust that things will work out just as they are supposed to as our lives become filled with little ones. There will be balancing, planning (but not too much!), and plenty of "winging it" here and there too. I remember my high school piano teacher, whose children were full-grown, having to run out of a lesson occasionally to take a roast out of the oven for her and her husband's dinner. I think life always requires a bit of juggling, no matter what phase we're in, no matter how carefully we plan.
I'd love to hear your reflections on your future. Do you plan or embrace spontaneity? How do you envision your own special balancing act?
