Today, I’m sitting here reflecting about the fact that I’m not going to MTNA this year. I had an amazing time last year, especially with all the ComposeCreate® teachers with which I was able to connect! But, I’m actually glad I’m not going this year as there’s just too much going on in my life to justify the expense and the time away.
There’s such a huge intangible cost of “time away” that we often don’t account for when thinking about attending a conference. The time spent finding the right clothes, luggage, travel gear, and packing. Much less, the time spent shopping for and purchasing plane tickets and making arrangements for the “home base” while you’re away.
On top of that, you have the time spent traveling, and then being exhausted when you come home. Catching up with your family and their needs is an added cost the following week, etc.
You get the idea.
So for me, at least, conferences are more of an occasional thing because of these costs. I do love it when I’m there though, don’t get me wrong. There’s so much energy and lots of encouragement from being around teachers! AND it IS important to change up your routine periodically to put some new life and excitement into things.
But in addition to being grateful that I’ve made the decision to avoid “spending” the time and money this year, I’m also struck today with how often I’ve attended a conference, only to return completely overwhelmed with new ideas! I know I’m not alone in this and I’m guessing I’m not alone when I tell you that the number of ideas I come away with and the ones I actually implement are nowhere near the same!
I know I can’t be the only one.
Munger’s Quote Puts It Into Perspective
So, I’ve been especially motivated and even excited about this quote from Charlie Munger:
The fundamental algorithm of life: repeat what works
Charlie Munger
Now what’s interesting is that this idea works in so many areas of life, whether it’s running a piano studio, operating a publishing company, teaching in the classroom, or running a business. Plus, according to Munger, it must be working for investing large sums of money and being a philanthropist too!
We don’t always need the latest. We don’t always need the greatest. We don’t always need to implement a new technique if the one we have is working.
The Bigger Question When Going to a Conference
I think the bigger question to ask before and after going to a conference is,
What’s NOT working in my studio?
Once we know the answer to that question, then we’ll be able to implement the right new ideas instead of being overwhelmed by all the ones that won’t help anyway. Of course, sometimes we discover things that are not working by going to a conference, so we need to have a balanced perspective here.
But as Noah Kagan and many others say,
It’s not about doing more, it’s about doing the right things better.
Noah Kagan
Sifting Through Ideas on Social
Maybe this is also a way to sift through all the good ideas on social, blogs, and the internet. When I see a good idea, I can ask if the idea solves or makes better a problem I actually have! And the next time I go to a conference, the first thing I’ll do is ask “What’s NOT working in my studio?” Then I’ll be in a better position to sift through all the seemingly good ideas that will be all around me when I go.
For those of you actually going to a conference this year, bon voyage! I hope you return energized by fellow teachers and full of ideas to implement that solve problems in your studio!
Wendy,
You are a treasure!
Deborah Freeman
Hi! I was looking forward to meeting/seeing you in person, but I totally understand. I am hoping to get to interact with at least a few of my teacher and composer friends who I have only interacted with online. I have not been to an MTNA conference since 2011, as my church worship associate job and the conference usually coincided too close to Easter, or the distance made it challenging for expenses. I will get to spend a little time with family and friends in/near Minneapolis too! I have come away from events totally overwhelmed and purchased things I have never used. As I am more at the end of my teaching career, I need to be careful not to get sucked into buying things unless they are totally useful to me right now. I don’t need to get things “just in case” or because they just sound/look good and exciting! So, even though I think everything is working in my studio well now, I will be thinking of what is not working and trying to be very objective and critically thinking about the choices and ideas. I also am going because I want my studio families to see how important professional development is for me. Thank you for your post. It helped me process this morning! I appreciate you and your work.
So glad this was helpful, Marian! And I’m so happy for you that you are able to go to a conference after all these years! I think going into a conference with awareness of how you’ll feel after and the need for being very selective about what you try to implement can make a big difference. Last year, I pretty much just went to BE with teachers and walking around while knowing that goal completely changed my experience, goals, and outcome. So I hope you find what you need to be energized! Thank you for commenting!
Such good thoughts, in this world of constant and abundant new ideas!! Thank you for helping us stay sane. 🙂 I am not able to go to the conference this year either, but hope to again someday in the future! They are definitely fun and energizing, when it works out.
I usually attend our state conferences but have never been to a national conference. National conference is held in March which is right in the midst of several Festivals and I don’t feel that I can leave my students at that time. I call it Musical March Madness. LOL
Musical March Madness indeed!
Wendy,
That was a very honest and direct comment about how “ the number of ideas I come away with and the ones I actually implement are nowhere near the same”! I like your willingness to be vulnerable, and to speak after searching your heart.
We have so many sources urging us to do more or be more when it’s wiser to “do the right things better”.
Thanks for helping us put things into perspective!