Being a school administrator is tough. The role of a principal or assistant principal requires much stamina. For many, they are overwhelmed, and they teeter on burning out. I see many social media posts of school leaders stating they are ready to walk away due to the overwhelming responsibilities of the job. However, they are afraid to leave because they assume they cannot work in other fields. What they do not know is that there is life after school leadership.
For this post, I created a video to describe some of the career possibilities an administrator can pursue based on their skills. In this video, I speak about my journey when I lost my career as a school principal. Over time and through trials and experience, I realized I had to think outside my box and develop a new mindset. Through the journey, I discovered my life after school leadership.
Watch the video to learn more about my life after school leadership.
After watching the video, reflect on your next move as a school leader. Decide what is best for you and your family. Assess all parts of your health, including your mental, physical, and financial well-being. Weigh the pros and cons of your role. Revisit your “why” or purpose to see if it is relevant or has/should it change.
Being miserable, overwhelmed, and highly stressed is not an option. That’s no way to live life personally or professionally. Stay or leave is a big decision, and I understand the fear. However, life decisions are never easy. Take time to think, reflect, rethink, or consult. Always remember, there is life after school leadership.
Educators struggle with fatigue, stress, and burnout. You are pushing through and faking it until you make it. When someone asks you, “ how are you?” Do you respond with, “I am well?” That’s a standard response, but how well are you? Before you answer that question, find out more about the eight dimensions of wellness.
First, let’s discuss the definition of wellness. According to the National Wellness Institute, “wellness is an active process through which people become aware of and make choices toward a more successful existence.” So, educators, as you discover the eight dimensions of wellness, self-reflect on your processes and choices to ensure your wellness is a priority.
Eight Dimensions of Wellness
Physical wellness is all about your body. Your physical wellness depends on eating healthy food, getting enough sleep, and exercising.
Emotional wellness is about your feelings, attitude about life, and having support systems to get you through personal or professional challenges. Your mind is a terrible thing to neglect.
Intellectual wellness is about your brain and learning new knowledge. Many people don’t realize that intellectual wellness is also a priority. Educators use their intellectual power throughout a school day. Therefore, you need a healthy brain to make crucial decisions and shifts daily. Also, using your intellectual power requires learning new skills, teaching and learning strategies, or the latest research.
Social wellness means you have positive and supportive relationships in your life. Both professionally and personally, your relationships can be a part of a robust support system.
Spiritual wellness focuses on your soul, inner self, and faith. Whether one is religious or not, we all have a spiritual side. Also, spiritual wellness can include meditation to renew ourselves and have inner peace.
Environmental wellness is about our living conditions on earth. Living and working conditions affect our health. Whether at home or work, we want to live free of harmful chemicals and toxins.
Occupational wellness refers to our career, job, and workplace. Are you happy about your professional path? Is your workplace physically, emotionally, socially, or environmentally healthy?
Financial Wellness – If the money is funny, your financial health can harm your overall wellness. Worrying about money, savings, or bills is a health hazard. Financial wellness eases many burdens.
How well are you? Your wellness is your responsibility.
Focus on Your Wellness
How will you answer the question, “How well are you?” Use these eight principles of wellness to reflect and then respond. As you focus on your wellness, remember these seven principles:
Wellness is holistic
The self is the only true healer
Wellness is your responsibility
Positivity is empowerment. Negativity strips you of power and control.
Wellness is an active process. Don’t wait for good health to come to you!
Wellness is outcome oriented
Prevention eliminates the need for treatment.
Wellness is a Personal Responsibility
Making changes to focus on your wellness requires setting firm foundations. The first foundation is hope. Believe you can, and then set goals. Wellness is a personal responsibility, so take action toward your goals. It would help if you had support on your journey. Lean on others for encouragement. Advocate for yourself by communicating your needs. Get good information, then make decisions. Lastly, find meaning and purpose in your life. Identify what matters most to you.
Educators, take control of your wellness. Many say they are tired of hearing the term self-care; however, we cannot depend on school districts to provide needed support. So, we must understand our responsibilities when it comes to our well-being. Remember, wellness is an active process. Don’t wait for good health to come to you!
This post contains affiliate links. If you click on a link, a small commission may be paid.
This post contains affiliate links. If you click on a link, a small commission may be paid.
Recover and Rediscover
Another school year comes to a close. School administrators and teachers look forward to the summer months. It is a time to unwind and try to get some personal things done. Let’s look at the summer months a little differently. Look at it as a time to recover and rediscover yourself.
Recovery and rediscovery are just another part of becoming a healthier educator and human being. As teachers or administrators, you know that time is a luxury. There is never enough of it! For example, you have probably made statements like these. “ I can’t get anything done!.” Or you have said, “I’m so busy that I don’t have time for myself!.” Then there is the statement, “ I wish there were more hours in the day..” Before you know it, you are unhappy, overwhelmed, and stressed by everyday life and work issues.
Self-care and Wellness
We want to encourage educators to focus on self-care, healing, and wellness. Self-care requires personal reflection, too. It can lead to physical, mental, and spiritual healing. Once some healing takes place, you can reboot your life in a new and healthier direction. Next, it is time for you to recover what’s left of you. Then, there is room to rediscover self. Please note that self-care is not the only way to heal or recover. Sometimes, you may need additional support or assistance by seeking professional counseling.
Both recovery and rediscovery take time. A new and healthier you will not happen in a few days or months. It is a process, not an event. . Think of how much time it took to become unhealthy. So becoming healthy again takes time and having a plan. Here are some tips to get you started on recovering and rediscovering yourself.
In order to recover and rediscover, you must work on yourself, by yourself, and for yourself.
Recognize Your Struggles
Many of us want to be strong and invincible. We are afraid to admit our weaknesses or failures. This is especially true in the workplace. Neither teachers nor school administrators want to admit to a supervisor that they do not have the physical or emotional bandwidth to complete a task or handle a specific situation. It is also difficult to admit that in our personal lives it’s difficult to be all things to everyone. Always remember that you are human! You have strengths and weaknesses. Guess what? It’s normal and you should not beat up yourself for being an ordinary person. Recognize your areas of struggle and feel comfortable informing others.
Do What You Want
Do what you want to do. Step back for a minute. Maybe step back for a few more minutes. Think about what would really make you happy. Yes, you’re an adult with plenty of responsibilities. Perhaps you have children, a spouse, or aging parents. But where do you fit in this equation? When do you matter?
Moreover, how do all of the responsibilities make you feel? You’ve lost sight of yourself. You can’t be everything to everyone. Learn to say, “NO!” It’s time to do you!
Limit Distractions
Limit distractions in your life. Yes, there are always distractions that take up your time, too. For example, how often are you reading emails, sending text messages, or checking your social media accounts? As an experiment, make a note each time you check emails or social media. You will be amazed how the minutes add up. Unless it’s an emergency, responding to text messages can wait. Set aside a specific time in the day to respond to emails or indulge in social media. Also, look at your daily schedule for tasks you can delegate to others. Hand it over! Just tell the person it’s a part of your recovery and rediscovery. Move the distractions out of your way.
Set Goals
Set goals for yourself. Write a wishlist of things you would like to do. Then prioritize the list. What is most important to you? Furthermore, what will make you happiest? Create a schedule of free time. Then, stick to the plan! Fill your free time with a hobby, movie, exercise, etc. Most of all, don’t let others hijack your free time. It’s your road to recovery and rediscovery. Remember, it’s time to do you! Spend time with yourself.
Learn to Rest
Lastly, learn to rest. Your mind and body cannot be on ten all of the time. Eventually, a part of you will break down. Then the time it takes to recover and rediscover yourself will take longer. If you step back for a moment to assess your life, you’ll discover things you didn’t know. Also, you may find some things that you don’t like about yourself. Make that list of things you want to do or accomplish in your life. Accomplish your goals by giving up distractions and delegating what you can. Schedule your free time and have fun. Learn to say no to people who usurp your time. Afterward, you will be on your way to a full recovery and rediscovery of yourself.
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