Every principal knows there are stretches of the school year that feel heavier than others. Maybe it’s testing season, the discipline referrals seem endless, or everyone, including you, just feels drained. Those moments can make it easy to lose sight of what truly matters.
If we’re not careful, we start reacting instead of leading. We move from conversation to conversation, task to task, and by the end of the day, we’re left wondering if we even made a difference. But the truth is, you still are. You just need some intentional reminders to stay centered when things get tough.
Here are three ways to help you (and your team) keep the focus on what matters most:
1. Return to What Grounds You
When things feel chaotic, go back to the practices and people that steady you.
- Step into a classroom and watch a student light up when they finally “get it.”
- Spend a few minutes laughing with your front office staff.
- Walk the halls during dismissal and remind yourself: this is why I’m here.
You don’t need to chase motivation; you just need to reconnect with the heart of your work. Those grounding moments remind you that impact doesn’t always look flashy; sometimes it looks like consistency, kindness, and presence.
Think On It: What moments during the day remind me that the work still matters?
2. Celebrate the Ordinary Wins
When the pace is fast, it’s easy to overlook progress that doesn’t make headlines. But celebration fuels perseverance.
- Start staff meetings with “one thing worth celebrating.”
- Highlight a student who showed resilience, not just achievement.
- Send a message to a teacher who’s been quietly holding things together.
The ordinary wins, and not the big wins shared on social media, are often the ones shaping your culture the most.
Think On It: How can I shine a light on the good that’s already happening around me?
3. Stay Present with Your Staff
When the stress piles up, it’s tempting to hide behind your office door and just “get through” the day. But leadership isn’t about surviving…it’s about showing up.
Check in on your team, not because it’s on your calendar, but because connection is the heartbeat of your school. A quick word in the hallway, a note on a desk, or simply showing up at lunch duty with a smile communicates, I see you.
You don’t have to fix every problem to make an impact. Sometimes your calm presence is the very thing holding others steady.
Think On It: Who on my team might need to borrow my calm today?
The hardest seasons of leadership don’t define you; they refine you. Keep leading with steadiness, not speed. Keep noticing the good. Keep showing up for your staff. Because even when it’s hard to see it, the work you’re doing is changing lives.
Todd Nesloney is TEPSA’s Director of Culture and Strategic Leadership. He is an award-winning educator, author and international speaker.
Ross Braun is a former elementary principal who is passionate about supporting schools and leaders to ensure every child has a safe, loving, and engaging learning environment. Ross is now the VP of Positive Education at Spring, Texas-based, School Life.
