Last week teaching my class of seven 13-year-old students who have just finished their grade 6 piano exam, I had a revelation. This moment of illumination stemmed from how I managed to lose 9kg.

If you’re reading this, you’re probably a piano teacher committed to professional development. Maybe you, too, have read Carol Dweck’s book on growth and closed mindsets. I believe I have a growth mindset (most of the time). I love her quote about teaching kids, “Don’t judge, teach. It’s a learning process.” I try not to judge, but these 13-year-olds had previously been driving me nuts!

At this stage, you’re probably wondering what a piano class of 13-year-olds has to do with losing 9kg. Let me explain...

We’ve all heard that quote about doing the same thing and expecting a different result. Back in my 20s & early 30s, I could just exercise away the extra pounds that made their way to my tummy. Now at 50-something, the scales don’t lie, and I had managed to become 10kg overweight.

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