Spring break is late this year. Very late. Very, very late. We are all “running on empty.” If you are like me, and my staff, we have been dragging through these last three weeks. It’s an honest statement.
Don’t get me wrong, I love my job, my staff loves their jobs, but we are tired. Very, very tired. And we need to recognize that, name that and support those feelings.
Recognize It and Name It.
When you are feeling tired and less than patient, give yourself permission to recognize that feeling. Say it out loud. Literally. Tell the folks close to you, “I’m tired today, so I might be checking in with you more often,” or when making a decision regarding discipline with a student that may be trying your patience, say, “I’m checking in with you on this decision – just want to be sure that I’m not being cranky or rash about this.”
Why do this? Because when you allow yourself to be human and vulnerable, it allows others to be the same. It gives others permission to say, “I’m tired and cranky too and I might be letting that impact the decisions I’m making.”
Support It.
Who is on your shadow team? Who lifts you up when you are down, tired or running on empty? These are the folks who will support you as you push through tired, push through overwhelmed and push through until spring break.
This isn’t to say that you announce to the whole world that you are “off duty” or not feeling your best self, but it is to say that for a trusted few you let your guard down and you let them help you get through. Tap yourself out if a kid is triggering you. Tap yourself in if a colleague is needing support from you. Use each other to support things that need to get down when you are “running on empty.” In doing so, you’ll find the reserve fuel you need to make it through a few more days until you get the longer reprieve that you need.
Heart-y Leadership 