We are all very, very, busy!

So how do you budget your time into reading and posting on Piano World.

Feel sometimes that I can't contribute or write as eloqently as others cause I haven't got the time to read, post, and respond to private messages as proficiently as I would like to!

So do you give yourself an hour a day, at coffee break, when the boss isn't looking . . .?

Need advice how to NOT become addicted and still be able to participate and still manage a very busy life.

Interested to know how you do it!

Help!

Diane W,

Good question! I'm trying to figure that out myself, especially the addicted part.

Since I joined in June, I've been an active poster, and I've really enjoyed all the reading I've been able to do in the archives and daily postings. I find it stimulating and rejuvenating to address issues that we share.

I seem to be here as a "reward" to myself for doing the other (really necessary)responsibilites I have. It also has become quite social because of PMing. It has added new dimensions to my life. I don't get this input any where else - and a real benefit to me, I've been able to practice putting my thoughts into more clearly stated written communication. This is a good benefit and workout for a piano teacher. (It's also relevant to that "book" I've been trying to write for many years, and that collection of work already stored in my computer, I find it's coming to life as a goal again.)

Now that the summer is over, and it's back into a heavier schedule of afternoon teaching (mostly) I won't have the same freedom to sit down whenever I feel like it to read and post.

The eloquence is not necessary, although some people have a way of getting to the point quickly and write succinctly. That would be a goal for me!

"Help!" is right!

Betty

"Hi, my name is Erin, and I'm a PW Forum addict."

I spend a lot of time in front of the computer in the mornings, but I do try to only do that when I don't have anything pressing to do. I figure if I don't even look, then I'll be OK.

I make sure that I go out with my friends and spend time with them so that i'll feel happier and I won't need to spend so much time on PW.
I have been spending a lot less time on this forum since I 1st joined.

Sorry, I've been practicing. What was the question?

John,

The question is: "What are you practicing?"

I am still on "vacation" at home, by the way.

Betty

I have a few other message boards I frequent, so I REALLY have to budget my online time!

Right now, I'm on a 3 minute break between students

Stanny, are you admitting to visiting "Piano Street?"

Betty, I'm polishing up Jardins sous la pluie before starting a student on it.

My work varies from day to day, so sometimes I don't have time to go online at all, and other days I have a fair bit of time. It's 9am here at present, and I'm having a quick look/post before doing some work. I do try to set limits (you know, like "when the big hand comes around to the top again, I'll stop")

This is what I tell my students with addiction to computer games and/or video games:

"You may play one minute of game for each minute you practice the piano."

I make them (or their parents) time the piano practice, and use a count-down clock to time their computer/video game usage.

If you're addicted to PW, then maybe you should use the count-down clocks, too. Give yourself maybe 10 minutes per day.

No, I'm not on any other piano forums (well, I lurk at pianoteaching.com, but rarely post) I'm also really into frugality and money management (which comes in handy in this profession!)

I think I spend too much time here. I originally came to Piano World to find information on digital pianos that would help me choose a model to buy.

Right now, I am saving up money to buy one, but still hang around PW to check up on random topics. I'll be trying to cut back and focus more on study and work. x_x

Diane W :

Bless you! You have opened up the confessional!

Even before I retired, I was quite addicted to Piano World forums. Now, it's better (worse?) than ever! I read and post several times a day : after breakfast, during my morning practice break, at lunch, after dinner, sometimes even staying up "past my bedtime".

I usually start on the Piano Forum, then I move to the Pianist Corner, then I read threads that interest me in the Piano Teacher's Forum and the Adult Beginner's Forum, posting occasionally. Should that be enough for one session? No, before I sign off, I go back and see if anyone has posted anything while I was on the other forums!!

I need help!!

By the way, it should read: Piano Teachers' Forum, not Piano Teacher's Forum. As it is, grammatically speaking, this is a forum for one piano teacher. Same goes for the Adult Beginner's [sic!]Forum and the Composer's Forum.

Once a teacher, always a teacher!

Cheers, folks!

Yikes, I was too afraid to tell how much I check out the forums all throughout the day. But BruceD was brave enough to 'fess up on the worst bit of my habit (most telling of an addict.) I thought I was the only one. Glad I am in good (?) company. :p

I can go days without looking at the computer. And I only read some of the subjects.

It's not an addiction,,,,yet!

I saw this post and just had to read it, and then had to reply. I really enjoy reading here on PW, and post occasionally, but tend to feel like a lurker because reading is usually all I have time to do. I often wonder how people have time to keep up with the reading, and then have time to reply. With over forty students and the rest of life to take care of, there is not much time for the computer. Often times I don't post answers or advice because by the time I have time to do it, others have done it, and my two cents would just be redundant.

Perhaps if I typed faster... Anyway, this is a good time to say how much I appreciate the people who do post regularly; I learn so much from all of you. :2hearts:

Thanks for all your honest replies! Great reading!

So decided (on my own; no help from all you addicted PW members), that I'll spend twice as much time on the piano as I do on PW. Have to have a plan, right!

Looked up the word addicted:

ADDICTED - one who is psychologically or physiologically dependent (as on a drug).

Can we all agree that Piano World is our DRUG of choice!?

Problem? Who's got a problem?! I don't have a problem!!!

[Ms. 8000+ posts slinks away guiltily]

Yes, I am addict as well.
PW helps fuel much of my procrastination.
I purposely went 2 weeks without reading this or the other couple of (guitar) forums and without signing on to any IM’s just to make sure I still had some semblance control.
It was rough and somewhat of an eye opener.
But this is such an awesome forum, I figure it is not the worst form of procrastination.
(Or is that just a rationalization of my addiction??)

Egads, look at the number of posts. I am spending way too much time here. But it sure is enjoyable.

You have an excuse Monica! You are Piano World's Welcoming Committee!

How many members have you welcomed here anyway!?

Everytime I read a post that say, "Hi all, I'm new here" . . . I think . . . Oh no, another addict to be! Then the next post is none other than . . . "Monica".

I don't even want to talk about it.

Wow John, you have over 1000 posts now!

Monica, I have just worked out that over the last 2 years you have averaged about 11 posts every day.

I seemed to get to 500 quite quick but getting to 1000 is proving tough. I type too slowly to make any real headway.

Thanks, Chris! "11 per day" doesn't sound nearly as pathological as 8000+ posts.

I am an *extremely* fast typist and can rattle of a post in less than a minute. One as short as this, 30 seconds max.

I am a very fast typist, too, but even with several years' head start, I can't catch up with you!

Cheers!

I wish I could be on here more! This is such a great community and I am very grateful to be involved.