Break Free From Time Scarcity!

There’s no denying that your job as a school leader is busy with a capital B and that the feeling of constantly being in a rush, overwhelmed by your never-ending to-do list and forever chasing the clock is a familiar whirlwind, but there is another perspective that can help. 

Insufficient time. 

Feeling like resources, opportunities and time are limited or insufficient is a key indicator that a scarcity mindset could be at play. This fear-based mindset can lead to feelings of lack, stress and a focus on limitations rather than possibilities.  

The antidote 

The antidote is an abundance mindset. This is the belief that there are plentiful opportunities, resources, time and possibilities available. People with an abundance mindset view the world as full of potential, leading to feelings of optimism, gratitude and, you guessed it, abundance!  

Spot the signs 

First, it’s important to recognise the signs of a time scarcity mindset. If you find yourself constantly rushing from one task to another or feeling like there’s never enough time in the day to get everything done, then you might be stuck in a scarcity trap. Here are some of the problems this mindset can cause: 

• Increased stress and burnout which negatively impacts both personal wellbeing and professional performance. 

• Reduced creativity and innovation means leaders and teams may resort to quick fixes or stick to the status quo, hindering progress and growth. 

• Strained relationships leads to ineffective communication, decreased collaboration and an erosion of trust as everyone feels the pressure to constantly perform under tight deadlines. 

• Decreased productivity as tasks are rushed and important details may be overlooked in the desire to simply “get things done.” 

• Missed opportunities for growth as learning and development take a backseat when time is perceived as a scarce resource, which limits potential. 

How can you make the switch? 

Shifting from scarcity to abundance can really impact the way you lead and live, unlocking new levels of creativity, productivity and fulfillment.  

Some ideas: 

Gratitude Practice – Acknowledge and celebrate what you have, rather than what you lack by taking a moment each day to reflect on the things you’re grateful for. Read this article from Positive Psychology to find out more about the impact of gratitude. 

Time Blocking – Set aside dedicated blocks of time for different tasks and responsibilities to become more attuned to what can be accomplished in the time you have. It’s important to set yourself up for success here and be realistic, otherwise you’ll be quickly pulled back into the scarcity mindset vortex!

Present Moment Awareness – When you find yourself slipping into a scarcity mindset, it can often be accompanied by panicky feelings both mentally and physically. When you notice this, pause and take a few deep breaths to focus on the present. 

Delegation – You not only free up your own time but can also develop a sense of trust, ownership and collaboration among your team. Of course, I’m not advocating giving all your tasks away, but I bet there’s something, no matter how small, you’ve been hanging on to that you could delegate! 

Embrace good enough – This one’s for all you perfectionists out there! By embracing a mindset of “good enough,” you can free yourself from the tyranny of perfectionism and allow room for creativity and innovation to flourish.  

Time to switch? 

A time scarcity mindset is a formidable foe, but it is possible to reframe your beliefs about time. By embracing abundance, you can free yourself from the vice-like grip of scarcity to feel more empowered to enable you to lead with confidence, purpose and joy.