What's the best way to become more productive at work? Work less! At least that seems to be the finding of a recent pilot project. According to NPR's Bill Chappell, "Workers at Microsoft Japan enjoyed an enviable perk this summer: working four days a week, enjoying a three-day weekend — and getting their normal, five-day paycheck. The result, the company says, was a productivity boost of 40%."
It turns out that productivity problems are not unique to Japan. If you're someone who has recently spent a part of your prep hour adjusting your fantasy football line up or watching a live stream of puppies and kittens snuggling in a box, you're not alone. Yesterday, the Labor Department reported that its standard measure of worker productivity ("real output per hour") dropped an annualized 0.3% in Q3, the first quarterly decline in almost four years. Now I'm no Milton Friedman, but this doesn't seem like a good trend.
But I don't see the same holding true in music education.
I believe that today's music teachers are more productive than ever. With increased demands and decreased time, we have no choice. Whether you are preparing for this week's Grand Nationals or next month's holiday concert, rehearsal time is at a premium, and efficiency is at the heart of every decision we make. And it's working.
As I mentioned last week, the level of student achievement is at an all-time high. In the dome and on the stage, marching bands, symphonic orchestras, and barbershop quartets (sorry for that one choir directors) are performing better than ever. Why? Because teachers are teaching better, and kids are learning faster. And I don't see this trend changing any time soon.
But the question isn't whether you will be more focused, more efficient, and more accomplished, the question is, what will you do with the time you just saved?
I'm not being metaphorical either. I literally want to know what we should do with those extra minutes. Do we do more of the same or try something new?
If we increase efficiencies next year by five percent, do we do five percent more drill or music? If we can shave two hours off of our concert prep cycle, do we spend the two hours singing or playing the same music? If we can prepare for a contest with one less week of rehearsals, do we fill the extra week with the same music?
As I have said many a time, music teachers are among the most productive and efficient people I know. No one knows how to do more in fifty-three minutes than someone holding a baton. But, I think the lesson to be learned from the Microsoft study is not that the employees were 40% more productive given less time, but that they filled that extra time with something other than the work they were already doing.
I am not trying to make a point about too many rehearsal hours or working less, and you wouldn't listen to me if I were. I am trying to shift the discussion from the "how" we do it, to the "what" we do.
Perhaps, as you plan for your next season or concert cycle, you look for a new way to spend that sliver of time. Create a new activity, lesson, or play a different genre of music. Have a philosophical discussion. Sight read the classics, have your students to conduct or create chamber ensembles. Skype an exchange concert with a group from a different state or country. Teach a little music history. If you're an instrumentalist, sing, if you're a singer, play an instrument. Just don't do what you have always done. What you do is up to you, as long as it's new to them.
This new found time is a gift. It's a precious commodity and should be treated as such. It's something your students didn't have before and are not likely to have again. So, be bold. Take a risk. Try something new and take a chance.
After all, you have nothing but time on our hands. What will you do with it?
Just a thought.
p.s. Good luck to all of the bands performing in Indianapolis this week. I will be there cheering for you. If you see me, say hi!
p.p.s If taking one day off resulted in a productivity increase of 40%, would taking the other four off, we would be 200% more productive. Just sayin...