A Productivity and Time Management 5 Steps Guide for Creative Musicians!

How I Stopped Jumping from One Thing to Another and Finally Got Organized: A Guide for Multi-passionate Creatives

I’ve always been multi-passionate. I love doing many things at the same time. On any given day, I could be teaching a lesson, composing a piece, planning a new workshop, learning something new, planting basil, baking bread, or taking my dog for a long walk—and all of it feels important.
But that kind of energy—while exciting—can also be exhausting. I used to feel like I was constantly reacting to my day instead of directing it. Something would pop into my head, and I'd jump on it. Before I knew it, the day was over and half my projects were half-finished.
Sound familiar?
I finally realized I needed a better system. Not a rigid one that would kill my creativity, but something that would give my energy direction instead of chaos.
And what I found was this: you don’t need more time. You need to organize the time you already have.
Here’s how I did it—and how I now teach my piano and voice students to do the same.

Step 1: Recognize Your Multi-Passionate Nature (and Love It)

If you’re someone who loves a lot of things and can’t choose just one passion—don’t fight it. It’s a strength, not a flaw.
But here’s the trick: your passions need structure to grow.
Once I stopped blaming myself for “not finishing things” and instead created a system to hold all my ideas and projects, I felt calmer and more focused.
I could still do everything I love—just not all at once.

Step 2: Block Time with Google Calendar

I started by blocking time on Google Calendar, and it was life-changing.
Here’s how I do it: I block out time for 
teaching, practicing, learning, personal projects, even family and gardening.
I color-code everything so it’s visual and intuitive.
I build in rest and buffer time, so I'm not rushing or feeling overwhelmed.
Time blocking helps me see where my time is going, and it reminds me that I do have time—as long as I don’t try to do it all at once.

Step 3: Organize Projects with Trello

This step changed everything.
Before Trello, I would wake up and react to whatever felt most urgent that day. But now? I start my day by looking at my Trello board.
It helps me prioritize what’s already in motion and actually finish what I start.
Here’s how I use Trello:
I have boards for things like Teaching Ideas, Student Questions, New Projects, and Personal Learning.

Each card holds thoughts, links, or notes.
I organize everything into simple lists: 
To Do, In Progress, and Done.
Instead of being reactive, I’m intentional. No idea gets lost, but not every idea turns into chaos either.

Step 4: Learn These Tools Like You’d Learn Piano or Voice

This part is so important.
Using Google Calendar or Trello won’t feel natural right away—and that’s okay. Like learning the piano or training your voice, you need to practice.
For me, it took about a month to really get comfortable and consistent. And let’s be honest: I’m still not always 100% on track. Life happens. But the beauty of having a system is that you can always come back to it.
Don’t expect perfection—just practice and progress.

Step 5: Keep It Simple, Stick With It, and Start Again When Needed

I won’t lie to you—there are days when everything goes sideways. But even when I fall off the schedule or feel overwhelmed, I always have something to return to.
That’s the power of building a system.
Also? It’s all completely free.
Trello—also free.
But the clarity and peace I’ve gained from using these tools?
Absolutely priceless.

Why I Teach This First in My Piano & Voice Program for adults
This isn't just how I live my life—it's how I teach.
In my Piano & Voice Mastery program, I begin with this exact lesson. Because when students learn to organize their time, they learn faster, stay more consistent, and actually enjoy the process more.
Whether it’s organizing practice time, tracking progress, or planning performances, building this foundation makes everything else smoother.

The Takeaway

You don’t need to do less or have more time.
You just need to manage your energy and time with more intention.

  1. So block your time. 
  2. Use your Trello board.
  3.  Practice your productivity system like you would your scales. And give yourself grace when life gets in the way.
Because the most powerful thing you can do for your passions… is to organize them.

Are you a fellow multi-passionate creative musician?

Do you want to start a new venture or hobby or learn something new and feel that you don’t have time?
Here is a checklist

What tools help you stay on track? Drop a comment below—I’d love to hear!


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Meet Yuliya


Most people feel music deeply. They hear a melody and want to sing along or sit at the piano and wish they could just play freely… express something real. But instead, they feel stuck—not knowing where to start, or how to bring it all together.

True musical freedom doesn’t come from rigid methods or years of music training. It comes from understanding music as a language—one you can feel, speak, and express naturally from your heart.

Yuliya is a professional musician, educator, and performer with a Master’s degree in Music and a strong classical background in piano, voice, choral conducting, and music theory. With over two decades of teaching experience, she has guided hundreds of students of all ages and levels, to not only develop technical skills on Piano or Voice, but to connect deeply with music and express it with confidence.

Her approach blends the depth of European classical training with a multicultural, and modern perspective—integrating music theory, piano techniques, voice, and creativity into one seamless experience. 
Yuliya’s teaching is practical, actionable, inspiring, and rooted in one belief: 

"With right method, system and guidance anyone can learn to play piano, sing, and express themselves—when music becomes their language."
Read Yuliya's personal story of becoming a musician and educator here

If you have questions for Yuliya, click the button below to get in touch.

  
Photo of Yuliya Borshchova