My life changed when I decided which pocket my every day carry items would always go in.

I only have two pairs of paints. One is my nicer pair of wool dress pants. The other is a pair of REI work pants. Both have two pockets in the front and two in the back.

One day, inspired by Tynan, I picked one pocket for keys (front left– I’m left handed), one for wallet (front right), and one for phone (back right if carrying). My back left pocket is left empty for handkerchief, headphones, or any other miscellaneous item as needed.

This might sound like a ridiculous level of detail to you– or something you already naturally do– but for me it was a game changer.

Before I would root around in my backpack searching for my phone. Then just throw cash in any pocket, but later not be able to find the money when it wasn’t in my wallet. I would search for keys on an entire walk from the front door of school out to my car because I didn’t know exactly where they were.

Now needing something and having something is instantaneous. I have no anxiety moving through a line at the grocery store or walking up to my car with friends. It takes no more effort than just throwing the item in a random pocket, and yet I’m completely saved of the hassle of guessing where anything is. There is zero friction.

In teaching we have (or need) every day carry items as well.

We need to put on certain glasses, or use particular tools, or reference certain techniques instantly.

This is when having a organized set of mental pockets comes in handy. And clarifying what item is in each mental pocket can make the use of those items automatic.

When I walk in to teach, I carry the following ‘items’ with me.

FRONT LEFT POCKET: Vision of the student as an accomplished learner
FRONT RIGHT POCKET: Teaching Priorities
BACK LEFT POCKET: Element Extenders
BACK RIGHT POCKET: Love

Just as we carry our wallet and keys with us all the time but only pull them out when needed, teachers should always keep these mental teaching maneuvers handy but only pull them out at particular times.

I could pull out the items any time, but I use the following as triggers to take out certain ‘items.’

– When a student is playing through any piece and I am just enjoying it –> I pull out my Vision and my Priorities.
– When I see the student yawn, or parent look at the clock, or my energy is low –> I pull out Element Extenders.
– When I sense any conflict, or that we are on different sides, –> I pull out Love.
– Whenever I am sitting in a concert or recital just enjoying the music –> I pull out Vision and Love.
– Whenever I am planning for group class, –> I pull out Priorities and Element Extenders.

I hope this mental organization is a game changer for you! Each item you must work to cultivate, but the real gift is when you can pull out that cultivated work instantaneously to serve you in the moment.