Breaking the Cycle and Getting Re-Inspired to Do Your Job

End-of-the-year chaos is real. It is a crazy time to finish curriculum and manage behaviors, and the struggle to show up every day is real. As administration attempts to keep all the parts of the school day moving, leaders will discover exhaustion within themselves. The reality sets in, if administration is dragging and anxious for summer, imagine the teachers, coaches and students. Superintendents, principals or activities directors need to break the cycle and be re-inspired.

First of all, inspiration comes from the beginning – the beginning of a career. It is the reason you went into education. Reflection is a powerful tool if you take time to do it. Block off time to reflect on the peak moments within your career. Ask yourself why that was a peak moment? Was it the outcome? Was it because you were energized? Or was it because you were connected and invested?

Reflect on the components of each situation. Allow yourself to feel good about it. Next, write down your personal mission statement in no more than two sentences. What are you doing to keep the mission statement alive? If you are not on that same path anymore, what do you need to do? Try getting out of the office. Spend some time in classrooms, practices and games. So often in life, burnout occurs from disconnection – so re-connect with your “why.” Be inspired.

This time of year is go, go, go. There is a point when you are just going through the motions to get it all done. It is important to get some new energy and perspective. Re-engage with your professional network, call a fellow principal or activities director. Visit another school district to see how things are done there. Get a new perspective on how behaviors are handled, how coaches are supported and staff is encouraged. This is not meant for you to make changes at the end of the year, but to give you a fresh outlook. It could be that what you do is better than what you just witnessed. It also just gives you the sense after a visit, that it is good to be home.

Seeking fresh ideas can also come from your own building. Find newer staff and have conversations that are real and purposeful. Ask for opinions and take time to listen. Reach out to the veteran staff for wisdom and reflection. Listen to others, empower them, which in turn will empower you. Stop being stagnant, especially at the end of the year. Be creative.

With that, also adjust your schedule. It is time to shake up the mundane day and keep you on your toes. Switch up your daily routine. Do the energizing tasks right away in the morning. Go into the hallway in between classes. Visit with students and staff. Make yourself visible by attending student activities. Set yourself up for success by starting a project that you can get done in one to two weeks. Power through the hard days to accomplish a task. This momentum will build motivation and energy.

Last but certainly not least, invest in yourself. The busier the work life is, the more important it is to be mindful of yourself. You need to take the time (that you think you do not have) and set some boundaries. As things pile up at the end of the year, everyone appears to need an answer right away. Protect your time at home and stop the “always on” communication. This is always difficult for all those who are “always on.”

Purposely set your phone down from 6 to 8 p.m. Then allow a quick check-in, if this is a must. However, if you can allow yourself to NOT do the last check of the phone, even better. Another option is to choose exercise as an outlet. Get out of the office and try to build a habit of a mid-day walk. Bring someone with you that holds you accountable to do this. If this is hard to fit in, try having a meeting with someone as you walk around the track. Not all meetings need to be in your office.

Other options are to take time to journal, to be quiet or to “take a break” each day. Writing what has gone well so far in the day will put the day in perspective. If a list motivates you, make sure the list includes time to go outside or time to find a quiet spot. Reach out to a staff member who allows you to talk about anything but school. Maybe this person is the custodian who loves to fish, take the time and take a load off. Allow yourself to reset. You truly cannot lead effectively if you are personally depleted.

Overall, embrace the end of the year. Take a deep breath and recharge. Staff, coaches and students need you at your best to get through the last month for themselves. Be mindful of your daily approach and check yourself. Do you need a break? Are you at your best? If not, you need to get there. Model a good balance for others. You modeling a walk to taking a break, gives them permission to do the same. Be a leader who inspires others. If that happens, you will in turn be inspired. Finishing the year on a high note for everyone only sets you up for a great return in the fall.

Lisa Myran-Schutte, CMAA, has been an athletic/activities director at several schools in Minnesota, including Houston High School and Pine Island High School. She is a member of the High School Today Publications Committee.