As a building-level leader, I found that the start of the school year often brought me incredible energy. During the first couple of weeks, I was in every classroom, greeting students in the hallways, and having conversations with staff that deepened our Relationships. Those were the moments that mattered most — building trust, reinforcing expectations, and showing up with presence.
But inevitably, the “honeymoon” period ended. The high demands on my time started pressing in. More meetings appeared on my calendar. More interruptions pulled me in unexpected directions. More “time bandits” crept into my days, distracting me from the very work I had set out to do. Suddenly, it became much harder to stay focused on the plans and goals I entered the year with.
That’s the reality of leadership. The school year picks up speed quickly, and unless we are intentional with our time, it will get filled for us. The question becomes: How do we make time a priority so we can keep leading with purpose rather than reacting to every urgent demand?
As leaders, time isn’t just something we manage — it’s how we lead. The way we spend our hours each day communicates our priorities to staff, students, and families. If we aren’t deliberate, we drift into reaction mode, letting the urgent crowd out the important. Making time a priority is about staying aligned with your vision and modeling the focus you want others to bring to their work.
1. Start with Clarity
Identify your top three leadership priorities for this season. Ask yourself: What are the things only I can do? Everything else should either wait or be delegated.
2. Plan Your Week Before It Starts
Set aside time on Sunday evening or first thing Monday morning to plan your week. Align your calendar with your values and commitments, not just the demands that land in your inbox.
3. Guard Classroom and Hallway Time
Schedule time in classrooms and hallways like you would a meeting — and protect it. Your presence matters, and those informal interactions with staff and students are often where the best culture work happens.
4. Delegate Relentlessly
Not everything needs your direct involvement. Empower your leadership team and staff to take ownership where they can. Delegation isn’t losing control — it’s building capacity.
5. Build in Reflection and Reset
Each day, take five minutes before you head home to ask: What went well today? What do I need to adjust tomorrow? Then, at the end of each week, step back and evaluate: Did my time align with my priorities?
To support leaders in this work, I created a free planner designed specifically for school administrators. It helps you clarify your priorities, structure your week with intentionality, and make daily reflection a natural habit.
If you’re ready to take control of your time, download the free planner here. It’s a simple but powerful step toward staying focused on what matters most.
The truth is, the school year isn’t slowing down. The demands won’t get lighter. But you have the ability to decide how you spend your time. When you lead with clarity and purpose, you not only protect your own energy — you serve your staff and students better.
So this week, commit to making time a priority. Use the tools available, set clear boundaries, and remember: leadership isn’t about doing everything — it’s about doing the right things.
If your team could use a guide to walk alongside you in this work, I’d Love to help. Let’s talk about how we can bring this kind of transformation to your school or district.
Together, we can capitalize on the momentum and have an awesome school year.
Send me a message or visit RoadToAwesome.net or email me [email protected] to start the conversation.
Tune in this Sunday to “Leaning into Leadership” when I sit down with Dr. Jen Schwanke, author, district leader, and former principal to talk about her new book,
