Use these tips to free up your time and your mind!

As a dance teacher, you undoubtedly wear many hats—from that of juggler (of yours and others' projects) to firefighter, putting out the fires (crises) you face each day. Ideally you should be able to walk into your studio, cross everything off your to-do list and go home with a sense of accomplishment. In reality, that's not always possible. Your day is filled with tasks and interruptions that devour your energy. More importantly they can and will eat up valuable time you have to focus on your class content, choreography and overall creative feelings. Despite what the general public may think, teaching dance is hard work and time consuming. There are several ways to make each minute count, starting with these 8 tips.

1. Before you agree to handle any additional task from your studio owner, make sure that you have the time to do a good job. In an effort to appease your boss you may bite off more than you can chew. You will only create friction if you accept additional responsibility but do a subpar job. Don’t be afraid to say no! Just make sure you explain the reason and that it is not that you don’t want to do it.

2. Throughout the day, ask yourself if what you are doing is the best use of your time. You may not be working on an activity you enjoy, yet if it is a top priority, continue doing it.

3. Don't assume: ask questions. When your studio owner asks you to do something, don't necessarily do it automatically. Ask questions to ensure that you understand what the goal is, for your studio owner and the students, if they are the reason for the request. If you complete a task then realize that it wasn't what your boss had in mind, you'll waste more time and energy redoing your work. Get a clear understanding of the request, and then start to work on it.

4. Don't reinvent the wheel. If the school owner asks you to do something that you or someone else has done previously, let them know. They may have simply forgotten that the same project was completed the year before. There is no sense in replicating a task that has been done already.

5. Get off the phone as soon as possible. When a parent keeps you on the phone longer than necessary, gently bring about an end to the call. You could tell them that you have another call, that you are on a tight deadline or, if they have requested something, that you want to get started on it immediately. Try not to spend a lot of time on the phone with colleagues filling your ears with negativity. It will only drain your energy and put you in a bad frame of mind before you even begin to teach!

6. Make your environment conducive to working. This covers two areas: your actual work space and the area surrounding it. If your studio is disorganized, you will waste time throughout the day searching for CDs, replacing lost information like class notes or choreography notes and "running in place." Take the time to clear your space and you will be clear in your thoughts and your actions.

7. "Location, location, location." The same criteria used to describe real estate holds true when deciding where to locate an area used for creating class content or choreography. Don’t try to work in a high-traffic area; imagine a marching band parading through a library—not a good work environment. If possible, move to a new location away from the flow of traffic. Some people find they are most productive in a spot that is totally isolated.

8. Stay focused on the activity at hand. When you're tired of working on a task, like choreography for one class, move on to something else, but avoid jumping from project to project.