Today, we’re continuing the Assess, Plan & Execute series by diving into the next crucial step—executing and assessing your quarterly plan. Now that we’ve mapped out our goals, it’s time to put them into action while regularly evaluating our progress. I’ll share strategies to stay on track, make adjustments when needed, and ensure your quarterly plan is setting you up for success. Let’s keep moving forward and make the most of this quarter!

• Tara shared how quarterly planning helps organize the year without feeling overwhelming.
• She explained that planning three months at a time allows for flexibility when life changes.
• Importance of marking non-negotiable dates like vacations, work commitments, and family events.
• How color-coded sticky notes and dry/wet erase markers help visually organize schedules.
• Her approach to mapping out projects, launches, and major events.
• Why scheduling rest periods after intense work periods is essential for balance.
• Her method for tracking long-term goals, like obtaining her pilot’s license.
• How she plans and schedules social media content to stay consistent.
• The importance of batching content to make posting easier and more manageable.
• How to evaluate the past quarter with a self-assessment.
• Why reviewing accomplishments and challenges helps refine future plans.
• How financial check-ins help track income, expenses, and business growth.
• She encouraged keeping quarterly assessments for future reference and long-term improvement.

Tara Wright is an Education and Operations Director, Creative Strategist, and Music Educator who helps music educators transform their teaching studios and businesses through innovative strategies, clear processes, and actionable tools. Known for her no-fluff advice, Tara blends creative thinking with real-world solutions to make complex systems simple and effective.

With over 20 years of teaching experience and 10+ years in operations management, Tara brings expertise in branding, copywriting, and process improvement to the music industry. She has overseen the creation of impactful content, from managing digital media platforms to developing professional training materials. Tara’s work inspires music educators to build thriving studios while balancing creativity with practicality.

Tara’s certifications include Google Project Management, Google Workspace Administration, and Google E-commerce Marketing. She also holds degrees in photography, music education, genetic engineering, and marketing, which fuel her unique approach to problem-solving and innovation.

When not optimizing workflows or mentoring teams, Tara raises ostriches, Great Danes, and other two- and four-legged friends on her farm near St. Louis. You’ll often find her taking her Jeep off-road or exploring a new hobby because learning is her ultimate joy. Tara’s advice is grounded in experience and designed to inspire action. Whether it’s simplifying studio operations, enhancing marketing strategies, or sparking creativity, Tara’s solutions resonate with educators ready to grow.

Consider implementing the ideas from this podcast by writing several actionable steps for your teaching practice if it’s inspired you.

If you enjoyed today’s show, please leave us a review on Apple Podcasts, which helps other teachers find our show.

Stay updated by subscribing to this show, and get automatic delivery to your device every time a new episode goes live! We publish on Mondays weekly.

Heard about TopMusicPro Membership? As a valued podcast listener, I’d like to offer you a special chance to try our community free for 14 days. You can access a treasure trove of...

Today, we’re continuing the Assess, Plan & Execute series by diving into the next crucial step — planning your quarter. Now that we’ve mapped out the big picture for the year, it’s time to break it down into actionable, manageable goals. I’ll guide you through setting priorities, aligning your schedule with life’s seasons, and focusing on what truly moves your business forward. Let’s get strategic, stay realistic, and set up the next three months for success!

• The importance of planning quarterly to manage time, money, and goals effectively.
• Tara emphasized that life seasons impact scheduling, requiring flexibility in goal setting.
• Why assessing available time is crucial before committing to new projects or goals.
• How reducing unnecessary tasks, like excessive social media use, can free up time for business growth.
• She highlighted the need to set revenue goals each quarter and track income sources.
• The importance of identifying the primary revenue stream to focus on for each quarter.
• Tara encouraged writing down big dreams and breaking them into small, realistic quarterly goals.
• She recommended setting no more than three key goals per quarter to stay focused.
• How goal setting applies to business projects like launching a summer camp, requiring early preparation and marketing.
• Why batching tasks, such as handling finances on specific days, can improve efficiency.
• The importance of dedicating regular time blocks to work on long-term business goals.

Tara Wright is an Education and Operations Director, Creative Strategist, and Music Educator who helps music educators transform their teaching studios and businesses through innovative strategies, clear processes, and actionable tools. Known for her no-fluff advice, Tara blends creative thinking with real-world solutions to make complex systems simple and effective.

With over 20 years of teaching experience and 10+ years in operations management, Tara brings expertise in branding, copywriting, and process improvement to the music industry. She has overseen the creation of impactful content, from managing digital media platforms to developing professional training materials. Tara’s work inspires music educators to build thriving studios while balancing creativity with practicality.

Tara’s certifications include Google Project Management, Google Workspace Administration, and Google E-commerce Marketing. She also holds degrees in photography, music education, genetic engineering, and marketing, which fuel her unique approach to problem-solving and innovation.

When not optimizing workflows or mentoring teams, Tara raises ostriches, Great Danes, and other two- and four-legged friends on her farm near St. Louis. You’ll often find her taking her Jeep off-road or exploring a new hobby because learning is her ultimate joy. Tara’s advice is grounded in experience and designed to inspire action. Whether it’s simplifying studio operations, enhancing marketing strategies, or sparking creativity, Tara’s solutions resonate with educators ready to grow.

Consider implementing the ideas from this podcast by writing several actionable steps for your teaching practice if it’s inspired you.

If you enjoyed today’s show, please leave us a review on Apple Podcasts, which helps other teachers find our show.

Stay updated by subscribing to this show, and get automatic delivery to your device every time a new episode goes live! We publish on Mondays weekly.

Heard about TopMusicPro Membership? As a valued podcast listener, I’d like to offer you a special chance to try our community free for 14 days. You can access a treasure trove of teaching resources, professional

• Tara shared that she starts her planning process with a yearly overview to balance work and life.
• The importance of bulk scheduling to maintain a structured and manageable workflow.
• She uses yearly, quarterly, weekly, and daily planners to stay organized.
• Recommendations for using large wall calendars for a clear visual of the year’s schedule.
• She plans for launch periods in her various businesses, ensuring she blocks off time accordingly.
• Adjusting plans as needed but try to stick to schedule as much as possible.
• She assesses each quarter to see if her workload is balanced or needs adjustments.
• She encourages others to try her planning methods and share their setups online.

• Click here to SUBSCRIBE to TopMusic AI Newsletter
• Large yearly calendar
• Large frame
• Sticky notes size 1.5” x 2”
• Sticky notes size 0.6” x 3”
• Expo dry erase markers
• Expo wet erase markers

• Tara shared a brief overview of her teaching background as a multi-teacher and running a multi-instrument studio for 10 years.
• TopMusic AI Podcast, featuring AI-generated segments followed by Tara’s real-life insights.
• How Tara uses AI and how she trained AI to replicate her writing style and voice.
• Understanding AI and how to use it as a music teacher.
• What are prompts & prompt engineering.
• AI’s practical applications for music teachers.
• Discussion about AI and its role in music teaching.
• The future of AI and online presence.
• Using AI in your music teaching studio.
• More about TopMusic AI Podcast & newsletter.
• Some teacher feedback and adjustments.

• Find our more about TopMusic AI Podcast here
• Click here to subscribe to TopMusic AI Podcast.
• ChatGPT
• Claude AI
• Bard AI (now Gemini)

• Tim reflects on the origins of the podcast, starting with an interview with John Bloomfield in 2015.
• The evolution of the podcast's format and branding, from Tim Topham TV to the Creative Piano Teaching Podcast and beyond.
• He highlights the launch of other podcasts under the TopMusic brand, including TopMusic Piano Podcast, TopMusic Guitar Podcast, and the new TopMusic AI podcast.
• Tim shares the scariest part of starting his business: leaving stable income for an uncertain future.
• How he transitioned from full-time teaching to focus fully on his membership business in 2016.
• He emphasizes careful risk management and family support when taking big career leaps.
• He shares some podcasting advice for podcasters.
• Teaching and piano-related insights and advice for newbie teachers.
• How TopMusic stays relevant and his 2025 business goal.
• Tim's most rewarding milestone and the best business advice he received.
• The most valuable part of TopMusicPro membership.
• Nepal remains his favorite travel destination after a memorable trek to Everest Base Camp in the early 2000s.
• If he weren’t a piano teacher, Tim would love to be a helicopter pilot.
• A surprising fact is Tim’s love for cycling, often completing 100 km rides with fellow cyclists.
• Tim as a DIY enthusiast, thanks to the skills passed down by his father.
• How he enjoys humming basslines and wishes he had learned to play the bass guitar.
• Why he loves relaxing to EDM music, finding it calming despite its high-energy nature.
• His two Australian Mist cats, one of whom loves Chopin and often naps on the piano.
• His bucket list, including obtaining a helicopter pilot’s license to fly his family to unique destinations.
• His most adventurous experiences, which is trekking to Everest Base Camp in winter.

• Interview with John Bloomfield | Taubman Workshops Brisbane
• Tim Topham TV Test Recording
• The Teach Piano Today Podcast Episode 15: How to use an iPad in your Piano Lessons
• TTTV001: Student Composition Tactics with Daniel McFarlane

• TopMusic Piano Podcast

Today, we’re diving into the power of mind mapping —a simple yet transformative tool to help you organize your thoughts, brainstorm ideas, and plan effectively. We’ll explore how to take all those swirling ideas in your head and turn them into a clear, actionable plan. Whether you're tackling personal goals, studio projects, or career ambitions, mind mapping can bring clarity and direction to your life. Grab a piece of paper and join me as we assess, plan, and execute with this creative strategy!

• What is mind mapping?
• Tara explains how mind mapping is a nonlinear framework centered around a main idea.
• She shares her personal mind map for 2022, outlining career and studio goals.
• Importance of breaking big goals into smaller tasks for better manageability.
• How she assigns monthly themes to achieve her goal of creating 52 teaching resources.

• Mind Mapping Handout

Tara Wright is an Education and Operations Director, Creative Strategist, and Music Educator who helps music educators transform their teaching studios and businesses through innovative strategies, clear processes, and actionable tools. Known for her no-fluff advice, Tara blends creative thinking with real-world solutions to make complex systems simple and effective.

With over 20 years of teaching experience and 10+ years in operations management, Tara brings expertise in branding, copywriting, and process improvement to the music industry. She has overseen the creation of impactful content, from managing digital media platforms to developing professional training materials. Tara’s work inspires music educators to build thriving studios while balancing creativity with practicality.

Tara’s certifications include Google Project Management, Google Workspace Administration, and Google E-commerce Marketing. She also holds degrees in photography, music education, genetic engineering, and marketing, which fuel her unique approach to problem-solving and innovation.

When not optimizing workflows or mentoring teams, Tara raises ostriches, Great Danes, and other two- and four-legged friends on her farm near St. Louis. You’ll often find her taking her Jeep off-road or exploring a new hobby because learning is her ultimate joy. Tara’s advice is grounded in experience and designed to inspire action. Whether it’s simplifying studio operations, enhancing marketing strategies, or sparking creativity, Tara’s solutions resonate with educators ready to grow.

Consider implementing the ideas from this podcast by writing several actionable steps for your teaching practice if it’s inspired you.

If you enjoyed today’s show, please leave us a review on Apple Podcasts, which helps other teachers find our show.

Stay updated by subscribing to this show, and get automatic delivery to your device every time a new episode goes live! We publish on Mondays weekly.

Heard about TopMusicPro Membership? As a valued podcast listener, I’d like to offer you a special chance to try our community free for 14 days. You can access a treasure trove of teaching resources, professional development courses, and creative lesson ideas. Click the link below to access your exclusive 14-day free trial for our Studio Membership.

TOPMUSICPRO MEMBERSHIP 14-DAY FREE TRIAL

In this episode, we're thrilled to guide you through another episode in the Assess, Plan & Execute series. Last time, we explored why assessing your business is so important, and today, we’ll dive into the how. I’ll walk you step-by-step through the process of assessing your business, reflecting on the past, and setting yourself up for future success. Whether it’s reviewing financials, evaluating policies, or identifying areas to improve, we’ll cover it all so you can confidently move forward.

• Importance of assessing your business to reflect on progress and set up for future success.
• Review the past 6-12 months to identify victories, challenges, & overall feelings about your work.
• Ask yourself how you feel about your teaching and business and identify why.
• Reflect on your top accomplishments and areas for improvement during the past year.
• Perform a financial check-in, reviewing expenses to ensure alignment with your business goals.
• Use the "One Thing" exercise: decide on one thing to keep, tweak, add, and subtract from your business moving forward.
• Evaluate studio policies and makeup policies.
• Examine student progress and identify what’s working well or needs improvement.
• Reflect on any major changes in your studio and evaluate their success.
• Take stock of where you feel strong and where you may need additional support.
• Look ahead to the next 6 to 12 months and define what success looks like for you and your studio.

• Download your Business Assessment Worksheet

Tara Wright is an Education and Operations Director, Creative Strategist, and Music Educator who helps music educators transform their teaching studios and businesses through innovative strategies, clear processes, and actionable tools. Known for her no-fluff advice, Tara blends creative thinking with real-world solutions to make complex systems simple and effective.

With over 20 years of teaching experience and 10+ years in operations management, Tara brings expertise in branding, copywriting, and process improvement to the music industry. She has overseen the creation of impactful content, from managing digital media platforms to developing professional training materials. Tara’s work inspires music educators to build thriving studios while balancing creativity with practicality.

Tara’s certifications include Google Project Management, Google Workspace Administration, and Google E-commerce Marketing. She also holds degrees in photography, music education, genetic engineering, and marketing, which fuel her unique approach to problem-solving and innovation.

When not optimizing workflows or mentoring teams, Tara raises ostriches, Great Danes, and other two- and four-legged friends on her farm near St. Louis. You’ll often find her taking her Jeep off-road or exploring a new hobby because learning is her ultimate joy. Tara’s advice is grounded in experience and designed to inspire action. Whether it’s simplifying studio operations, enhancing marketing strategies, or sparking creativity, Tara’s solutions resonate with educators ready to grow.

Consider implementing the ideas from this podcast by writing several actionable steps for your teaching practice if it’s inspired you.

If you enjoyed today’s show, please leave us a review on Apple Podcasts, which helps other teachers find our show.

Stay updated by subscribing to this show, and get automatic delivery to your device every time a new episode goes live! We publish on Mondays...

• Learn how to assess, plan, and achieve your goals while maintaining balance.
• Why assess your business?
• Key Mindset Reminders
  • Stay open to constructive feedback and celebrate small victories.
  • Focus on positive thinking to review with clarity, not emotion.
  • Use past seasons as a guide but embrace change as life evolves.
  • Break assessments into quarters or seasons to make them manageable.
  
  
• How to evaluate your past season for strategic, aligned goals.
• Tips for honest reflection on business achievements and challenges.
• The importance of celebrating even the smallest accomplishments.
• Strategies to set yourself up for success in your next season.

• Check out the new TopMusic AI Podcast here
• Download your Business Assessment Worksheet