Reports of burnout, stress, and compassion fatigue are on the rise. These issues push many out of the profession, leading to high turnover and sub-optimal student outcomes. How can school leaders combat these problems? Leaders can manager their own wellness and priorities. Healthy leaders who learn balance can create motivation, confidence, quality collaboration, and enthusiasm among staff and other stakeholders. Principal in Balance offers principals strategies and tools to take more ownership of their lives at work and home, so everyone in the K-12 educational community can thrive.
Nationally Distinguished Principal and four-time author Jessica Cabeen shows you how to navigate leading at work and having a fulfilling life. Throughout the book, you gain actionable points to help you set achievable goals, find time in the day to accomplish them, and have time to enjoy rest at home. You’ll learn to better meet the needs of your administration, staff, parents, and students using intentional and creative actions without sacrificing yourself. - Learn to balance work and life to create higher productivity - Gain proven tips for successful goal setting, staff retention, and student learning - Discover lead-to-win strategies that can help you improve your leadership in all areas - Make intentional space in your daily life for self-care and permission to rest
Principal in Balance offers a practical, timely approach by a school leader for school leaders to cultivate work/life balance. This book is an essential companion for K-12 school leaders and administrators, aspiring school leaders, and teacher trainers.
Table of Contents
Foreward ix
About the Author xi
Acknowlegments xiii
Part I The Ground Rules of Balance 1
The Importance of Living and Leading a Balanced Life
Chapter 1 Rationale for Resiliency 9
Chapter 2 Surge Capacity, Stress, and Survival 21
Chapter 3 Focus on Your Feelings 37
Chapter 4 Everything in Moderation 49
Part II Dream Big 59
Prioritizing Purpose for the Passions in Your Life
Chapter 5 Recommitting: The Essential Three 63
Chapter 6 Resetting: Creating a Goal Framework 75
Chapter 7 Restarting: How to Push Past Paralysis 89
Part III Live Colorfully 103
Learning to Thrive by Living Outside the Lines
Chapter 8 Finding Balance 109
Chapter 9 Redesigning Self- Care 121
Chapter 10 Restorative Soul- Care 131
Part IV Lead Boldly 145
Taking Charge by Building Bandwidth and Setting Boundaries
Chapter 11 Stopping the Sprint 149
Chapter 12 Changing Frequencies 157
Chapter 13 Putting Yourself First 167
Conclusion: A Letter to My Friend 181
References 185
Index 189
