Action-Taking Edition # 2
Your Brain on Music + Montessori Mindset = A Better You + Mimosas
My unique approach as a Certified Provider of The Listening Program (TLP)
combines science-based music therapy,
time-tested Montessori principles applied to children and adults,
and conscious celebrations.
These Action-Taking Editions offer practical tips
on how to apply these three elements to your daily life.
Music
New to using Music? Start here.
Selection to enjoy: Piano Sonata No. 17 in D Minor, Opus 31, No. 2, 3rd Movement, “The Tempest”, by Beethoven (a little ruckusy, as my family likes to say)
Suggested use: A physical project (not a thinking one) that you’ve been putting off
Montessori
New to Montessori? Start here.
Mindset to strengthen: The Process, not the Product
Why it matters: For some reason, we seem to be wired to focus on the goal.
I heard it just this morning from my child: “Mom, I’m so bad at writing essays!” to which I replied, “That’s because you’re learning, Sweetheart. That’s usually how it goes.” Our experiences with grades, which morph into year-end bonuses based on performance reviews, solidifies this mindset.
This mindset can easily tempt us into doing wrong: cheating in school or working unethically to the detriment of the product, the company reputation, and ultimately, the bottom line. (Remember Enron?)
When we consciously focus on doing well at each milestone, or even each micro-milestone, the quality of the end does take care of itself.
Suggestions to try:
At home: Instead of setting a vague goal of “cleaning out the garage”, resolve to throw away 10, 5, or even 3 things a day. Or just clean out a 3’ x 3’ area. Do the small actions that will get you to the end.
At school: Think of an upcoming deadline, like a paper, project, or big test. Don’t think, “I have to get a good grade!” Chunk your studying into x number of sections of the unit each evening, or decide you’ll study that subject an extra 10-15 minutes a day.
At work: For a big project, identify milestones in the process. Working backwards from the deadline, set “milestone deadlines” for yourself. Be sure to plan extra time for the hiccups that typically come up along the way, or for the hand-off delays that happen between colleagues when working on a team.
Mimosa:
“I started TLP 10 weeks ago, wanting to improve my Executive Functioning. About 6 weeks in, I realized that I’ve been finishing projects ahead of deadlines - and I’m not so stressed out. And I’m only listening for 15 minutes a day!” - a Happy Client
Your Turn:
Did any suggestions here help you? Share your Mimosa with me!
Looking for a personalized program, specific to your goals?
Get in touch!