My Essential Tool - The "Always" Kit

www.musictherapyworks.com

I have an "Always" bag... or box... or shelf... or drawer... within reach of every session that I run. In my "Always" place, I keep the essential tools that I always want, need, and can use without much active thinking. This "Always" place has changed over the years, but the essential elements remain the same. Here are the contents of my "Always" toolkit...
  1. A pen and pencil velcroed to the box/bag/shelf - you never know when you need one and who wants to waste time looking for a pen when you need one?
  2. The iPod - this tool is wonderful! It has replaced the small book of CDs that I used to carry around with me in my toolkit.
  3. Shaker eggs and/or rhythm sticks - a full classroom set of instruments along with my collection of ideas on how to use them.
  4. Marketing materials - business cards, information sheets, schedules, rates for services, and AMTA materials  - perfect for supporting "elevator speeches."
  5. Index cards - for jotting down therapeutic music experience ideas (TMEs)
  6. Super-sticky Post-It Notes - in fun shapes and for reminders that I can see anywhere and everywhere, including in my car - my dashboard is covered at times with these festive little pieces of sticky paper.
  7. Guitar strings, tuner, capo, and peg puller - you just never know.
Other things find a way into the toolkit, but these are the basics.


www.musictherapyworks.com
The instrument shelf - there is a method to this madness...
When I speak to others about organization, I spend time talking about finding your own way into figuring out a system. I know that I have driven some of my interns a bit batty due to the imposition of my own organizational structure into their lives. (The poor things!) My attitude is, [WARNING - SNARKY, CONDESCENDING ATTITUDE AHEAD] "My clinical space, my organizational expectations!" That attitude worked for me and my internship director, so it works for me as well. Basically, I strive to make finding instruments habitual and instinctive rather than having to interrupt the clinical flow in order to find the instrument or material that I want. So, the instruments have to go on the instrument shelf in the cabinet - not on the sensory material shelf. For me, the "Always" toolkit is part of that organizational viewpoint - these things are always in their places.

What is in your "Always" toolkit? What are your essentials in your area?

Comments

  1. Julie11:22 AM

    I actually really understand this -- for me, my space includes the stuff that goes along with having little kids. Everything needs to have its' own spot, or the space just FEELS cluttered. For you, it's even more important in the clinical space. Thanks so much for sharing. :)

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