In this episode of the Scrappy Piano Teacher Podcast, I’m talking about what “back to basics” actually means for a piano studio that is already full and running.

This conversation came from a season where I realized I had said yes to too many things and needed to pause and ask what was still serving me and what wasn’t. Not because anything was failing, but because things had started to feel heavy and unclear.

We talk about why studios can feel exhausting even when nothing is technically wrong, why burnout often shows up before performance drops, and why resetting a studio can feel so hard once it’s already in motion. I share insights from education psychology, including why motivation usually comes after action, not before, and how early decisions around schedules, policies, and expectations can quietly lock us into systems that no longer fit. Psychology calls this path dependence.

I also walk through four foundational anchors that can help you reset your studio without starting over. This isn’t about tearing everything down or lowering your standards. It’s about clearing out the clutter so the studio you already built can actually support you long term.

If you’re feeling behind even when you’re on top of things, constantly tweaking but never settling, or tired in a way that rest alone doesn’t fix, this episode is for you.

If you want to go deeper with this work, my Studio Reset Cohort is open for registration through February 6. You can find all the details at
scrappypianoteacher.com/reset

I’m also hosting a free Scrappy Circle teacher meetup called Let’s Talk Recitals with Janna Williamson on February 13 at noon Eastern. You can RSVP at
scrappypianoteacher.com/scrappycircle

Thanks so much for listening. I’m really glad you’re here.