Work Smarter, Not Harder: Setting Priorities for Dance School Owners

As a dance school owner, we understand that everything feels pressing. You're constantly connected, with questions coming at you from all directions. People expect swift responses! Your to-do list is extensive, and it can all feel quite overwhelming.

Identifying priorities and delegating effectively based on those priorities is key. Once you've established what's most important, you can train your team to handle tasks that aren't the best use of your time and skills. This will help you create more structure and boundaries around your time, and you'll feel more energised as you offload some of your responsibilities. The first step is to… 

• According to WorkJoy, interruptions kill productivity. Research shows that 93.6% of annual productivity loss in the workplace is due to distractions, and almost 61% of people are unable to do even 1-2 hours of deep work without a distraction. Schedule a block of time for focused, non-distracted work each day, and do your best to stick to it. You'll be surprised by how much more work you can get done without checking your phone every 10 minutes. Mark it on your calendar and make sure to shut off all distractions. 
• Use the Pomodoro Technique! The Pomodoro Technique might be just what you need. This time management method involves working on a task for 25 minutes, then taking a 5-minute break. Repeat this cycle a few times, and you’ll find yourself more productive and less stressed. Give it a try and see the difference it makes. 
• In the day-to-day running of a dance school, it’s not uncommon to feel overwhelmed due to the sheer amount of things to do. Switching between them can decrease your focus, resulting in reduced effectiveness and efficiency. Try scheduling specific work for each day: Mondays - marketing, Tuesdays - admin, Wednesdays - choreography, and so on. You can even switch them up each week according to your schedule and priorities. Focus your energy on going deep into a topic instead of bouncing from one thing to the next. 
• Remember that you need time to rest. Overworking yourself will ultimately kill your productivity and motivation. You do not need to answer every phone call, text or email as soon as it comes in. Set up ‘do not disturb’ times on your phone to keep personal time personal. Set office hours. Be sure to set time in your calendar for meetings, and set weekly meetings with a focus and agenda.

Running a dance school involves a lot of moving parts, and getting organised and delegating non-essential tasks can free up valuable time to focus on what really matters–teaching, choreography, and growing your business. 

Begin by delegating simple tasks such as cleaning, organising, filing, gathering information etc. Train your staff thoroughly and check in regularly to ensure tasks are completed correctly.

Start by identifying the tasks you repeat daily, weekly, or monthly. What questions do you answer most frequently? Look for ways to automate responses, such as using templates, canned replies, or an FAQ section on your website. Free yourself from repetitive tasks by automating or creating clear procedures that others can follow. Consider:

• Payment collection
• Online registrations
• Emails
• Website updates
• Placing uniform orders

• Class Management Software: Use tools like Class For Kids to handle class bookings and registrations effortlessly.
• Social Media Templates: Platforms like Etsy offer customisable dance school templates that can be easily and quickly edited in Canva.
• AI Assistance: AI can help draft newsletters and emails, but be sure to edit them to match your school's unique tone of voice.

Remember, you are running a business, not just pursuing a hobby. Make profitability your top priority and organise your tasks accordingly. By diving deep into your business operations, you can create a more efficient way of working–giving you the freedom to focus on your passion while ensuring smooth day-to-day operations.