Balancing expectations for a successful year ahead

“We overload summer most out of all the seasons… with our expectations of it.”  

Ali Smith –  “Summer” 

This isn’t limited to the summer months for us educators. The beginning of the school year is filled with anticipation and hope. There’s a desire to implement fresh ideas, improve on past “failures”, and set new goals. This is, of course, natural and necessary for growth, but, there’s a fine line between setting high expectations and setting yourself up for a fall, or worse, burnout. 

The problem with expectations is that they’re often a moving target. What starts as a reasonable goal can quickly spiral into something unmanageable. Those high expectations you hold for your own performance quickly have a way of backfiring and becoming unhelpful and even detrimental. As these expectations grow, so does the potential for disappointment when reality doesn’t align perfectly with your aspirations. 

How can you keep your expectations in check as you stride into the new academic year? 

Be realistic 

While it’s great to aim high, it’s important to recognise the limitations of time, resources and energy. This feels a bit “grandmother and sucking eggs” but maybe it’s a useful reminder, I know I need it from time to time! Breaking down goals into manageable steps and, much more importantly, celebrating the progress along the way rather than only focusing on the final outcome might help these to stay under control.  

Prioritise wellbeing 

It’s easy to say that your own wellbeing should be at the forefront of your mind, but a lot harder to put into action in the busy world of education, where so many other people’s needs have to be considered. Taking some time to reflect on what this looks like for you, what you need to feel balanced and building in the time and space to make it happen is a great, if not often challenging, habit to get into.  

Build resilience 

I don’t have to tell you that the school year rarely goes exactly as planned and that unforeseen challenges will arise. But adjusting your expectations in response to changing circumstances isn’t a sign of failure; it’s a necessary part of leadership. By modelling this adaptability, you can create a culture that values resilience over rigid perfectionism not only for your team but also for yourself. 

Reflect and recalibrate 

Regular reflection is key to maintaining a healthy balance of expectations. Take time throughout the year to assess what’s working and what’s not. Are the goals you set at the beginning of the year still relevant and realistic? Don’t be afraid to change them if you need or want to. This not only helps prevent burnout but also ensures that you remain aligned with your core values. 

While it’s natural to start the new academic year with high hopes, it’s equally important to keep your expectations in check. By setting realistic goals, prioritising wellbeing, embracing flexibility and regularly reflecting on and celebrating progress, you can foster personal growth, as well as the growth of your team and school community, without falling into the trap of burnout.

A successful school year isn’t defined by the number of expectations met or didn’t meet, it’s more personal than that.  What does it look like for you?