My Top 5 Ways Leaders Can Stay Focused
I’ve been there myself. As a high school principal, I regularly found my days consumed by things I never planned for. It felt like the harder I tried to stay focused, the more external factors pulled me off task. I would start the day with goals, but by the time the final bell rang, I realized that I hadn’t accomplished any of the important work I’d set out to do.
That all changed when I started working with a coach. He helped me understand that keeping my eye on what matters most wasn’t just a vague leadership principle—it required intentionality, strategy, and boundaries. I learned how to reclaim my time, delegate responsibilities, and stay focused on the bigger picture.
Here are five key techniques I’ve used to help me—and other school leaders—keep the main thing the main thing.
1. Get Crystal Clear on Your Priorities
As a school leader, it’s crucial to identify your top priorities for the year, the month, and even the week. Ask yourself: What are the three most important things I need to focus on? For many leaders, this could be improving instructional practices, supporting teacher development, or creating a more positive school culture. Whatever your priorities are, write them down and use them as your North Star for decision-making.
2. Master the Art of Delegation
Delegation isn’t about offloading work—it’s about empowering your team. Trust your assistant principals, teacher leaders, and office staff to take on tasks that don’t require your direct input. The more you delegate, the more time you free up to focus on strategic leadership and long-term goals. When I began to delegate, I found I had more mental bandwidth for the big-picture work that had been slipping through the cracks.
3. Guard Your Calendar Fiercely
This requires saying “no” to distractions and requests that don’t align with your priorities. Of course, some emergencies are unavoidable, but the key is not to let the small distractions chip away at your time. Treat your calendar like a contract with yourself, and guard it fiercely.
4. Develop Systems for Routine Tasks
Develop systems to streamline your daily operations. For example, set specific times during the day to check and respond to emails. Automate tasks when possible or assign them to staff members who can handle them. The more systems you have in place, the less time you’ll spend on routine tasks, leaving you with more time to focus on what really matters.
5. Reflect and Adjust Regularly
This isn’t about being perfect—it’s about staying mindful. If you find yourself getting pulled off task repeatedly, take the time to adjust your systems or ask for help. Reflection helps you stay on course and make small adjustments to keep you moving toward your bigger goals.
Final Thoughts
What strategies are you using to stay focused on the main thing? Share your insights by commenting on this post. What a great way to help each other take on, and win, against the overwhelm of being principal. I’d love to hear your thoughts!
Have a #RoadToAwesome week
Darrin
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