Crash! The dangers of not making time for your own development 

Saying that your life as a school leader is busy can feel like a massive understatement! You are often so focused on meeting the needs of others and helping them to thrive that your own needs are never even considered, let alone met and you find yourself simply struggling to survive.  

There are so many moving parts that make up your role that it feels like moments to pause and reflect are almost impossible to find. If you’re lucky, you might get a few minutes in the bathroom but in all likelihood, a colleague will probably have followed you in there to “just ask a quick question” and so even that moment to pause disappears once more. 

The cost 

Neglecting your own professional and personal needs can have a detrimental impact on your performance, your relationships and your wellbeing. It can lead to higher stress levels (or worse stress-related issues like burnout) and strained relationships, both in and out of school, as your patience and empathy batteries run low. It can lead you to neglect activities and people that charge your battery as you put in the hours at work, which can also lead you to feel isolated and resentful of this. It can cause you to feel dissatisfied with the role you once loved and also means that your motivation to improve and grow professionally diminishes.  

The crashes! 

In Formula 1 racing, the drivers need to take their cars out of the race for a short period of time to ensure that they’re running at peak performance. This means they could lose their position in the race but that when they do get back out there, they’ll have the capacity to make up that time and win. If they don’t take these pitstops then accidents and crashes occur which waste more time and could even cause permanent damage! So, what are your crashes? 

In the busy life of a school leader your crashes won’t be nearly as dangerous, but they could still have unpleasant consequences. Snapping at a colleague because you’re in a rush will mean trust may be eroded and that the relationship may need more time and energy invested in to resolve the issue. Pressing ‘reply all’ on a confidential email because you’re distracted could have ramifications that will then take more time and energy to unpick and fix. Giving parents incorrect information because you stayed up too late finishing the presentation and today you’re exhausted will mean you need to spend more time and energy correcting the problem.  

Your time and energy are valuable 

You have been entrusted with the important task of shaping the future of your school and guiding your students toward success but this responsibility should not come at the expense of your own needs.  

Prioritising your own professional and personal growth will not only help you to thrive but it will also set a positive example for others to do the same, creating a wonderful culture of growth alongside self-care. Ultimately, by taking the time to address your needs, you’ll be better equipped to lead effectively, develop positive relationships and create a healthier, more thriving educational environment for all. 

What small change could you make today to start to focus on you?