Exhaustion Won’t Save Us: Why School Leaders Need a Summer Reset
Lately I’ve been asking leaders, “What are you doing this summer?” Their response? “What summer?” or “Working.”
What?!
When I express my surprise, our people remind me they are school leaders. Summer is for planning and preparing, not relaxing.
Okay. I get it. We spend summers planning to ensure students have a transformative school experience in the fall.
I’m not advocating for doing away with summer planning. In fact, we’re in the middle of intensive year long planning, which will continue throughout the summer, ourselves at SLL. When leaders don’t have a clear vision, teachers and students suffer. I’m advocating for not forgetting about the importance of rest. Students and families deserve leaders who will be there year after year. All of that planning won’t come to much if the leader is too burnt out to execute.
My ideal world? Everyone shuts down for two whole weeks and does whatever rest looks like for them. Netflix. Tiny cabin. Travel. There’s something about taking a deep rest to transition mentally from one school year to the next. Whatever it takes, I want leaders re-energized and ready to go in August.
Two week break not possible? I have an idea, inspired by a Linkedin post I saw. Create summer work rules. The summer has a different pace. Take advantage of it. Here are some of mine:
No meetings on Fridays.
No emails after 5:00 pm or on weekends (unless I’m really excited about something I’m working on).
Take a 30 minute walk outside everyday (bonus points if it’s between the hours of 9 & 5)
Here’s how having work rules makes me a better person and leader:
I am more present and engaged when I meet with people because I want to be there.
I create space for deep thinking and long-term strategic planning, which leaders often put off.
I’m happier and I like my job more, which is good for everyone (trust me).
Being busy is not a flex, and having a full calendar is not a badge of honor. As Tricia Hersey, author of Rest is Resistance, says, “Exhaustion will not save us. Rest will.” When school year ‘24-’25 begins, we ride at dawn. But to ride at dawn, first you have to get a good night’s sleep.
On that note, I’m practicing what I’m preaching. First Fridays are taking a rest for the summer. I’ll see you in September.
Peace.
